Q10017 Correcting offsets from 4-20 mA inputs
When my signal level is 0, my 4-20 mA transmitter module produces a 4 mA current level – as it should. But this current produces a non-zero reading when I sample it with a DAP. How can I correct for this?
There are two approaches that you can use, leading to the same kind of solution in a slightly different way.
The component value approach: Suppose that your load resistance is a precision 250 ohms (typical). At 4 mA, your DAP will measure 1 volt, 6554 counts. At 20 mA, your DAP will measure 5 volts, 32767 counts. The numeric range of the measurements is 26214 counts. You want to map these measurements to a normalized input range 0.0 to 1.0. Suppose that your 4-20 mA input signal comes in on logical channel pipe IP2. You can then apply the following DAPL expression task.
pipes pnormalized float ... pdefine normalization pnormalized = (IP2-6554)/(26214.0)
Notice the trick of making the 26214
range number a
floating point number — otherwise computing the ratio in integer
arithmetic will truncate to zero, which is probably not what you want.
As it turns out, this strategy also works with the MSXB086
4-20 mA receiver board, though you don't have to worry about the electrical
details to use it.
The calibration approach: This doesn't use any nominal values, so it produces more accurate results. Drive your 4-20 mA converter at minimum input, and observe the DAP measurement. Because of device tolerances, this measurement might differ somewhat from the nominal. Now drive your 4-20 mA converter at maximum, and observe this measurement. The difference of the two measurements gives you the full range. Now you can encode the calibration constants.
constant offset4mA float = 6540 // Your actual offset here constant range4to20mA float = 25620 // Your actual range here ... pnormalized = (IP2-offset4mA)/range4to20mA
There is no point in using this method with an MSXB086
board if you trust the accuracy of your transmitter.
L
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