Phoenix Contact Signal Conditioners
Signal conditioners are devices that convert one type of electronic input signal into a different type of output signal. The input signals received from sensors are amplified, filtered and isolated into a more easily read output signal for processing. Many applications involve measurements from sensors that need signal conditioning before the instrument can accurately and effectively measure the signal. Functions of signal conditioners include: conversion, linearization and amplification.
Signal conversion is used by industrial applications that use a wide range of sensors to perform measurements. The different signals generated by the sensors need to be converted, in order to be usable by the instruments they are connected to. Some signals produced by sensors need to be linearized by a signal conditioner because they do not have a straight-line relationship with the physical measurement. Linearization results in a more accurate result.
More Information about Phoenix Contact Signal Conditioners
Signal amplification increases the signal for processing and digitization. It can be performed by increasing the input signal or by increasing the signal-to-noise ratio. Instrumentation amplifiers are used with DC signals and have high input impedance, high gain and common mode rejection ratio. Isolation amplifiers isolate high DC levels from the device while passing small AC or differential signals. Signal filtering filters the signal frequency spectrum to only include valid data and blocks any noise. The filters can be made from either active or passive components or a digital algorithm.
Phoenix Contact Signal Conditioners isolate, condition, filter and amplify analog signal processing. They integrate field signals into industrial networks with a bus and network connection and achieve space savings of up to 65% compared to other isolators on the market. They are SIL certified and provide explosion protection for Ex zones.
Signal Conditioning: Isolators, Converters, Amplifiers and Splitters
Signal isolators are used to protect sensitive equipment, such as PLCs, from potential hazards that may originate from devices they are connected to, such as sensors or transmitters. Isolators can also be used to filter any noise that might arise from disturbances along the signal path back to the PLC.
Signal converters take one type of signal and change it to something else. For example, a signal converter can interpret an RTD signal and convert it into something that a PLC can understand.
Signal amplifiers increase the resolution of an input signal, allowing for more accurate and detailed data to be sent to the controller, enabling better monitoring and control of devices. Another important function that amplifiers perform is increasing the signal-to-noise ratio.
Signal splitters do not change the signal, but allow the signal to be sent to more than one location. For example, a signal splitter can be used to send data to two different PLC’s without any signal degradation.