Industrial Dual 0-20mA Bricklet¶

Features¶

• Precision current sensor, measures currents between 0 and 22.5mA
• Can read out any IEC 60381-1 type 2 and type 3 sensor
• High accuracy (0.15%), resolution (up to 0.172µA) and sample rate (up to 240 SPS)
• It is possible to detect if a sensor is connected/faulty

Description¶

The Industrial Dual 0-20mA Bricklet can be used to extend the features of Bricks by the capability to measure currents between 0 and 22.5mA.

This Bricklet can be used to read out up to two IEC 60381-1 type 2 and type 3 sensor.

The measured current can be read out in nA. With configurable events it is possible to react on changing currents without polling.

Technical Specifications¶

Resources¶

• MCP3423 datasheet (Download)
• Schematic (Download)
• Outline and drilling plan (Download)
• Source code and design files (Download)
• 3D model (View online | Download: STEP, FreeCAD)

Connectivity¶

See below for connection diagrams for type 2/3 sensor.

Both sensor ports ("Sensor 0" and "Sensor 1") can be used independently. Notice the battery symbol in the picture above. Over the external power supply input of the Bricklet (up to 48V) the sensors can be powered.

Test your Industrial Dual 0-20mA Bricklet¶

To test a Industrial Dual 0-20mA Bricklet you need to have Brick Daemon and Brick Viewer installed. Brick Daemon acts as a proxy between the USB interface of the Bricks and the API bindings. Brick Viewer connects to Brick Daemon. It helps to figure out basic information about the connected Bricks and Bricklets and allows to test them.

Connect the Industrial Dual 0-20mA Bricklet to a Brick with a Bricklet Cable and attach a current source (see picture below). In this example we use a 4-20mA ambient light sensor.

If you connect the Brick to the PC over USB, you should see a new tab named "Industrial Dual 0-20mA Bricklet" in the Brick Viewer after a moment. Select this tab. If everything went as expected the Brick Viewer should look as depicted below.

Interact with the sensor to see the current changing in the Brick Viewer.

After this test you can go on with writing your own application. See the Programming Interface section for the API of the Industrial Dual 0-20mA Bricklet and examples in different programming languages.

Case¶

A laser-cut case for the Industrial Dual 0-20mA Bricklet is available.

The assembly is easiest if you follow the following steps:

• Screw spacers to the Bricklet,
• screw bottom plate to bottom spacers,
• build up side plates,
• plug side plates into bottom plate and
• screw top plate to top spacers.

Below you can see an exploded assembly drawing of the Industrial Dual 0-20mA Bricklet case:

Hint: There is a protective film on both sides of the plates, you have to remove it before assembly.

Programming Interface¶

See Programming Interface for a detailed description.