Campbell Scientific CURS100 Module Product Manual PDF

CURS100 100 Ohm Current Shunt

Terminal Input Module

Revision: 11/2022 Copyright 1996 2022 Campbell Scientific, Inc.

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Table of Contents PDF viewers: These page numbers refer to the printed version of this document. Use the PDF reader bookmarks tab for links to specific sections.

1. Introduction ................................................................ 1

2. Specifications ............................................................ 2

3. Measurement Concepts ............................................ 2

3.1 Differential Measurement ....................................................................3 3.2 Completing the Current Loop Circuit ..................................................3

4. Transmitter Wiring ..................................................... 4

4.1 Two-Wire Transmitters ........................................................................4 4.1.1 Possible Ground Loop Problems ...................................................5 4.1.2 Minimum Supply Voltage .............................................................5

4.2 Three-Wire Transmitters ......................................................................6 4.3 Four-Wire Transmitters ........................................................................7

5. Sensor and Programming Example ......................... 8

5.1 Voltage Range ......................................................................................8 5.2 Calculating Multiplier and OffsetAn Example .................................8 5.3 CR1000X Program Example ................................................................9 5.4 CR9000(X) Program Example ........................................................... 10

Figures 1-1. CURS100 terminal input module .........................................................1 2-1. CURS100 schematic ............................................................................2 3-1. CURS100 L terminal connected to a data logger G terminal using

a jumper wire. ...................................................................................4 4-1. 2-wire with data logger power .............................................................5 4-2. 2-wire with external power ..................................................................5 4-3. Voltage drop in a 2-wire transducer with external power ....................6 4-4. 3-wire with data logger power .............................................................6 4-5. 3-wire with external power ..................................................................7 4-6. 4-wire with data logger power .............................................................7 4-7. 4-wire with external power ..................................................................7

CRBasic Example 5-1. CR1000X Program Example for Sensor with 4 to 20 mA Output .......9

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CURS100 100 Ohm Current Shunt Terminal Input Module

1. Introduction Terminal input modules connect directly to the data logger input terminals to provide completion resistors for resistive bridge measurements, voltage dividers, and precision current shunts. The CURS100 converts a current signal (for example, 4 to 20 mA) to a voltage that is measured by the data logger. The 100-ohm resistor used for the current shunt allows currents up to 50 mA to be read on a 5000 mV range (CR6, CR800, CR850, CR1000, CR1000X, CR3000, CR5000, CR9000X, CR9000). The CR300 allows currents up to 25 mA with a 100 to +2500 mV range.

The CR6 (serial numbers greater than or equal to 7502), CR300-series, and CR1000X data loggers are able to do current measurements directly. While compatible with the CURS100, the CURS100 is not required to convert the current signal to a voltage. For more information, see CRBasic Editor Help for the CurrentSE() instruction.

FIGURE 1-1. CURS100 terminal input module

NOTE

CURS100 100 Ohm Current Shunt Terminal Input Module

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2. Specifications 100 Ohm Shunt Resistor

Tolerance @ 25 C: 0.01%

Temperature coefficient: 0.8 ppm / C

Power rating: 0.25 W

Compliance: View compliance documents at: www.campbellsci.com/curs100

FIGURE 2-1. CURS100 schematic

The CURS100 has three pins: high, low, and ground. These pins have the correct spacing to insert directly into the data logger high, low, and ground terminals ( on CR6, CR300, CR800, CR850, CR1000, CR1000X, CR3000, CR5000, or CR9000(X)).

3. Measurement Concepts Transmitters having current as an output signal consist of three parts: a sensor, a current transmitter (quite often integrated with the sensor), and a power supply. The power supply provides the required power to the sensor and the transmitter. The sensor signal changes with the phenomenon being measured. The current transmitter converts the sensor signal into a current signal. This current signal changes in a known way with the phenomenon being measured.

An advantage of current loop transmitters over voltage output transmitters is the current signal remains constant over long wire lengths.

Current loop transmitters also have disadvantages. Most transmitters require constant current from the power supply, adding cost and size. Also, the conditioned output quality may not be as good as a similar unconditioned sensor being measured directly by a data logger.

The output of the transmitter is wired so the current must flow through the 100- ohm resistor in the CURS100.

CURS100 100 Ohm Current Shunt Terminal Input Module

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Ohms law describes how a voltage (V) is generated by the signal current (I) through a completion resistor (R):

V = I (R)

This voltage is measured by the data logger.

3.1 Differential Measurement The voltage across the completion resistor is measured with the differential voltage measurement. Use VoltDiff() for the CRBasic data loggers (for example, CR6, CR1000, CR1000X, CR5000, or CR9000(X)). The differential voltage measurement measures the difference in voltage between the low and high terminals. The CURS100 connects the resistor between the high and the low terminals.

3.2 Completing the Current Loop Circuit As shown in FIGURE 2-1, the 100 sense resistor in the CURS100 is not connected to the adjacent ground pin that connects into the data logger signal ground (). Hence, an additional connection must be made in order to complete the loop, which is commonly done by connecting the CURS100 L terminal to a data logger G (power ground) terminal with a jumper wire (FIGURE 3-1). Connecting the L terminal to the adjacent ground ( or G) terminal on the CURS100 will result in unwanted return currents flowing into the data logger signal ground (), which could induce undesirable offset errors in low-level, single-ended measurements. The ground ( or G) terminal on the CURS100 can be used to connect cable shields to ground.

Completing the loop by connecting voltages other than ground is possible as long as the data logger voltage input limits are not exceeded. These input limits specify the voltage range, relative to data logger ground, which both H and L input voltages must be within in order to be processed correctly by the data logger. The input limits are 5 V for the CR6, CR800, CR850, CR1000, CR1000X, CR3000, CR5000, and CR9000(X). Hence, when measuring currents up to 50 mA with the CURS100, a connection to data logger ground is necessary in order for the resulting (50 mA) (100 ) = 5 V signal to comply with the 5 V input limits for the CR6, CR800, CR850, CR1000, CR1000X, CR3000, CR5000, and CR9000(X) data loggers. The CR300 is limited to 25 mA with a 100 to +2500 mV range.

CURS100 100 Ohm Current Shunt Terminal Input Module

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FIGURE 3-1. CURS100 L terminal connected to a data logger G terminal using a jumper wire.

Normally the L terminal on the CURS100 should be connected to a data logger G terminal (power ground) with a jumper wire (FIGURE 3-1). Connecting the L terminal to the adjacent ground ( or G) terminal on the CURS100 can result in unwanted return currents on the data logger signal ground, which could induce undesirable offset errors in low-level, single-ended measurements. The G terminal on the CURS100 can be used to connect cable shields to ground.

4. Transmitter Wiring Current transmitters differ mainly in how they are powered and in the relative isolation of the current output. This sections groups the transmitters by the total number of wires the transmitter uses to obtain power and output the current.

4.1 Two-Wire Transmitters In a two-wire transmitter, the power supply is in series within the current loop. The transmitter regulates the amount of current that flows; the current drawn from the battery is exactly the current used as a signal.

NOTE

CURS100 100 Ohm Current Shunt Terminal Input Module

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FIGURE 4-1. 2-wire with data logger power

FIGURE 4-2. 2-wire with external power

4.1.1 Possible Ground Loop Problems The resistor must be grounded at the data logger to ensure that measurements are within common mode range. The signal (or low) output on the transmitter is higher than the data logger ground by the voltage drop across the resistor. A ground-loop error may occur if the signal output is not electrically isolated but is connected to the sensor case. If such a sensor is in contact with earth ground (for example, a pressure transmitter in a well or stream), an alternative path for current flow is established through earth ground to the data logger earth ground. This path is in parallel with the path from the signal output through the resistor; hence, not all the current will pass through the resistor and the measured voltage will be too low.

4.1.2 Minimum Supply Voltage When the power supply is in the current loop, as is the case in a 2-wire transmitter, it is necessary to consider the effect of voltage drop across the resistor on the voltage applied to the transmitter.

For example, suppose a 4 to 20 mA transmitter requires at least 9 volts to operate correctly and the system is powered by a 12-volt battery. The voltage the transmitter sees is the battery voltage minus the voltage drop in the rest of the current loop. At 20 mA output, the voltage drop across the 100 ohm resistor is 2 volts. When the battery is at 12 volts, this leaves 10 volts for the

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transmitter and everything is fine. However, if the battery voltage drops to 11 volts, a 20-mA current will leave just 9 volts for the transmitter. In this case, when the battery drops below 11 volts, the output of the transmitter may be in error.

FIGURE 4-3 illustrates how the voltage available to a transducer (C) is directly related to the voltage available from the battery (A).

FIGURE 4-3. Voltage drop in a 2-wire transducer with external power

4.2 Three-Wire Transmitters A three-wire current loop transmitter has the power supply connected directly to the transmitter. The voltage of the power supply is the voltage applied to the transmitter. The current output returns to power ground. Data logger ground is connected to sensor ground and the current output by the sensor must pass through the resistor before going to ground.

FIGURE 4-4. 3-wire with data logger power

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FIGURE 4-5. 3-wire with external power

4.3 Four-Wire Transmitters A four-wire transmitter has separate wires for power input and ground and for signal output and ground. The signal ground may or may not be internally tied to the power ground. Some transmitters have completely isolated outputs.

FIGURE 4-6. 4-wire with data logger power

FIGURE 4-7. 4-wire with external power

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5. Sensor and Programming Example In this example, the input voltage range, and the multiplier and offset values are calculated for a 4 to 20 mA output pressure transmitter. Examples showing the differential measurement made on Terminal 1 are then given for the CR1000X and CR9000(X) data loggers; programming for the CR6, CR300, CR800, CR850, CR1000, CR3000, and CR5000 is virtually identical to the CR1000X.

5.1 Voltage Range Select the smallest voltage range that encompasses the maximum output signal from the sensor. Using the smallest possible range will provide the best resolution.

The voltage across the resistor, V, is equal to the resistance (100 ohms) multiplied by the current, I.

V = 100 I

The maximum voltage occurs at the maximum current. Thus, a 4 to 20 mA transmitter will output its maximum voltage at 20 mA.

V = 100 ohms 0.02 A = 2 V

An output of 2 volts is measured on the 2500 mV range on the CR800, CR850, and CR1000 or on the 5000 mV range on the CR6, CR1000X, CR3000, CR5000, or CR9000(X). The 2 volt output is measured on the 100 to +2500 mV range of the CR300.

5.2 Calculating Multiplier and OffsetAn Example The multiplier and the offset are the slope and y-intercept of a line and are computed with Ohms law and a linear fit.

For example, measure a current loop transmitter that detects pressure where the sensor specifications are as follows:

Transmitter range 200 to 700 psi

Transmitter output range 4 to 20 mA

The transmitter will output 4 mA at 200 psi and 20 mA at 700 psi. Using Ohms law, the voltage across the resistor at 200 psi is:

V = I R

V = 0.004 100

V = 0.4 V or 400 mV

and at 700 psi is:

V = 0.020 100

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V = 2.0 V or 2000 mV

Since the data logger measures in mV, the multiplier (or slope) must be in units of psi/mV. Therefore, the y values have the units psi and the x values mV.

The equation of a line is:

(y y1) = m (x x1)

Solve the equation for m that is the slope of the line (or multiplier).

m psi psi

mV mV

psi

mV =

=

700 200

2000 400 0 3125.

Now replace the known values to determine the intercept (or offset). Where y = m(x) + b

psib

bmV mV psipsi

754003125.0200

4003125.0200

==

+=

m = multiplier (slope) = 0.3125 and

b = the offset (intercept) = 75.0.

5.3 CR1000X Program Example CRBasic Example 5-1. CR1000X Program Example for Sensor with 4 to 20 mA Output

'CR1000X Series 'CR1000X program example for sensor with 4-20 mA output. 'Assuming a flow meter that outputs a 4-20mA signal representing 0 - 100 gal/min, 'the voltage across the resistor at 0 gal/min = 4mA * 100 ohms = 400mV, 'and at 100 gal/min is 20mA * 100 ohms = 2000mV. The change in mV is '2000mV - 400mV = 1600mV for 0 - 100 gal/min flow rate. 'The measurement result (X) for the VoltDiff instruction is mV. The 'multiplier to convert mV to gal/min is: mV * 100gal/min / 1600mV = 0.0625, 'the offset = 0 - 400mV * 0.0625 = -25.0 'Declare Variables and Units Public BattV Public PTemp_C Public Measure Units BattV=Volts Units PTemp_C=Deg C Units Measure=mV 'Define Data Tables DataTable(Hourly,True,-1) DataInterval(0,60,Min,10) Average(1,Measure,IEEE4,False) EndTable DataTable(Daily,True,-1) DataInterval(0,1440,Min,10) Minimum(1,BattV,FP2,False,False) EndTable

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'Main Program BeginProg 'Main Scan Scan(5,Sec,1,0) 'Default CR1000X Data Logger Battery Voltage measurement 'BattV' Battery(BattV) 'Default CR1000X Data ogger Wiring Panel Temperature measurement 'PTemp_C' PanelTemp(PTemp_C,60) 'Generic 4-20 mA Input measurement 'Measure' VoltDiff(Measure,1,mV2500,1,True,0,60,0.0625,-25) 'Call Data Tables and Store Data CallTable Hourly CallTable Daily NextScan

5.4 CR9000(X) Program Example CRBasic Example 5-1 will work with the CR9000(X) data logger with one small change. Insert the following VoltDiff() command in place of the VoltDiff() command in the program. The program will now function with the CR9000(X). This program assumes the analog input module is installed in slot 5 for this example.

VoltDiff (Measure,1,mV5000,5,1,1,0,0,0.3125,75)

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