Data Dolphin Tech Note

D20101

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Connecting a Current Based Sensor to the Model 320

Introduction
A wide variety of sensors available today have as their output a standard 4-20 mA current signal. These
type of sensors include pressure transducers, temperature transmitters, level meters, flow meters and
many others. The following document covers the connection of a two, three, or four wire 4-20 mA sensor
to the differential inputs of the Model 320.

Pin-Out Diagram
The following diagram displays the signal and electrical connections expected on the back of a male
connector plugged into one of the four differential input ports (inputs 11-14) on the Model 320.

Model 320
Input 11 - 14
JC5
EN3C6M
3
1
2
3
4
5
6

4 2
6
5 1

1 - Alg/Pulse Input
2 - 2.500V Reference
3 - Analog Common Ground
4 - In + Alg
5 - In - Alg
6 - Switched (+15V)

Figure 1 : Pin out diagram for inputs 11-14 on the Model 320

Wiring Connections
Since the Model 320 reads and records voltages (and not current) on its inputs, the output of a current
signal device must converted to a voltage. This is done with a precision 100 Ω shunt resistor. A 100 Ω
resistor will, with a 4-20 mA current source, produce voltages in the 0.4 V (4 mA) to 2.0 V (20 mA) range.
As an option, a 125 Ω precision resistor can be used to produce voltages in the 0.5 V (4 mA) to 2.5 V (20
mA) range. However, as 2.5 V is the top of the Model 320 inputs’ readable scale, currents in excess of 20
mA will simply be read on the input as a full scale voltage when using a 125 Ω shunt resistor.

4-20 mA sensing devices are available in two, three or four wire configurations. In each of the
configurations, only the positive “half” of the Model 320’s differential input is used, and the negative half of
the differential input is held to ground. Physically, this means that pin 5 (Analog Input -) is always
grounded to pin 3 (Analog Common Ground) when using current output sensors.

In the two-wire configuration, the sensor’s V+ or Out + wire is connected to the “Switched” pin (pin 6) on
the Model 320 input and the V- or Out - wire to the positive pin of the precision input. The shunt resistor is
connected between the input (pin 4) and analog common ground (pin 3). The Model 320 will power
(15VDC ) the sensing device via the “Switched” pin (pin 6) just prior to taking a reading on its inputs.

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Switched

Pin 6
V + / Out +

Two Wire Model 320

Sensor Input
V - / Out - Pin 4
Input + Alg Pin 5 & 3

Alg Common
Ground
100 Ohm

Figure 2 : Wiring connection for a two wire sensor

With a three-wire sensor, the sensor’s V+ wire is connected to the Model 320’s “Switched” pin (pin 6), the
positive current output is connected to the precision input on the Model 320 and the negative current
output or V- lead is connected to ground. Again, the shunt resistor is connected between the Dolphin’s
precision input and ground to create the voltage for the Model 320’s input.
Switched

Pin 6
V+

Three Wire Input + Alg Model 320

Sensor Out +
Pin 4 Input
100 Ohm

V- / Out -
Pin 5 & 3

Alg Common Ground

Figure 3 : Wiring connection for a three wire sensor

In a four-wire sensor configuration, V+ on the sensor is connected to the “Switched” pin (pin 6) on the
Model 320’s input. The positive current signal wire, or Out +, will connect to the Model 320’s positive
analog input (pin 4), and the negative current signal wire, or Out -, will connect with the V- lead to analog
common ground (pins 5 & 3). As above, the shunt resistor is connected between the Model 320’s positive
analog input and analog common ground.

Switched

Pin 6
V + Out + Pin 4
Input + Alg
100 Ohm

Four Wire Model 320

Sensor Input
Pin 5 & 3
V - Out - Alg Common Ground

Figure 4 : Wiring connection for a four wire sensor

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Switched Pin Operation

Power is provided to the sensing device in each of the configurations just prior to taking a reading. The
“Switched” pin, or pin 6 provides 15 VDC for a period of time (known as the stabilization time) that will
allow the sensor to stabilize just before taking the reading. The Model 320 then powers off the device to
extend battery life for those systems with a limited power source. The stabilization period is different for
each type of current based sensor, so consult the literature accompanying your sensor for the proper time.
This time can be programmed into the Model 320 with the Data Dolphin Software. Consult the Data
Dolphin Software manual for the proper procedure to program the sensor stabilization time.

A bit about grounding

There are a few small differences with respect to the analog common ground (pins 5 & 3) and the power
source ground. If high precision is desired from the 4-20 mA sensing device, and some noise is tolerable
on the other input channels, use the analog common ground for grounding. On the other hand, if high
precision is desired on all the other channels and some imprecision (introduced by the Model 320’s
circuitry) is tolerable on the 4-20 mA input channel, then it is suggested that you use the power source
ground. In some cases, additional circuitry may be required. If you are uncertain about the grounding
requirements for your 4-20 mA sensing device, contact a technician at Optimum Instruments for more
information.

Model 320 input configuration

Once you have ensured that the 4-20 mA sensor is wired correctly to the Model 320, you will want to
enable and configure the input that the sensor is connected to by using the Data Dolphin software. As an
example, precision input 11 has been correctly configured to read the output from a 0 –100 psi pressure
sensor in the figure below. Note that the input was first enabled by checking the “On” checkbox.

Choose “Linear Equation” as the scaling type. Once you have chosen this type of scaling, you will be
required to enter a slope (m). To determine the slope value for your sensor, simply divide the full-scale
value of your sensor by 1.6. The value of 1.6 comes from the size of the voltage range read across the
100 Ω precision resistor, calculated using Ohm’s Law i.e. 2.0 V (20 mA) – 0.4 V (4 mA) = 1.6 V range.
Thus, for a 0 – 100 psi sensor, the slope value would be calculated to be 100psi/1.6 V = 62.5. This value
would be then entered into the “m” text box.

Figure 5 : Typical input configuration for a current based sensor

Connecting a Current Based Sensor to the Model 320 3 of 4

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To calculate the offset, or y-axis intercept, use the formula y = mx + b and substitute in the known values
of y, m, and x. Then solve for the unknown “b”. Thus, for our 0 –100 psi pressure sensor example, we
know that when the pressure (y) is 100, the voltage (x) will be 2.0 V with a 100 Ω shunt resistor. Having
previously calculated the value of the slope to be 62.5, we can then know “b” by

y = mx + b → 100 = 62.5(2) + b → 100 – 125 = b → -25 = b

This value is entered into the “b” text box. Once these values have been entered and the Dolphin’s inputs
have been configured by clicking the “Apply” button, the Model 320 will read the voltages and display them
in the correct units. Thus, in our example, this input would correctly display the pressure read by the 4-20
mA pressure sensor, in units of psi. To verify the correct configuration of the input, click on the status
button on the Data Dolphin software’s main toolbar, and the input you have just configured should display
the current reading of your 4-20 mA sensor in the correct units.

Optimum Instruments Inc. makes no warranty for the use of its products, other than those expressly contained in the Company’s standard
warranty. The Company assumes no responsibility for any errors which may appear in this document, reserves the right to change devices or
specifications detailed herein at any time without notice, and does not make any commitment to update the information contained herein. No
licenses to patents or other intellectual property of Optimum are granted by the Company in connection with the sale of Optimum products,
expressly or by implication. Optimum’s products are not authorized for use as critical components in life support devices or s ystems.

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