Conditioners
What can I use if my data acquisition system will not accept the signals produced by my sensors?
Signal conditioners are designed to accept specialized inputs such as thermocouple, RTD, pressure, strain, flow, pH, ac, high and low level dc - process them, and output a new signal which is compatible with a data acquisition system. Typical outputs produced by signal conditioners include, high level dc voltages (0 to 5 or 0 to 10 volts), process current (0 to 20 mA or 4 to 20 mA).Are signal conditioners only needed for analog signals?
No, digital or on-off signals may also require conditioning as well. OMEGA provides a variety of signal conditioners that allow a data acquisition system to read most real world systems whether they are dc or ac voltages.Can I use my data acquisition system to directly control heaters, pumps and other AC equipment?
Most data acquisition and control systems cannot directly interface to real world control elements such as pumps, heaters, lights, etc. Through the use of OMEGA's solid state and mechanical relay panels, the data acquisition/control system may be used to control these devices. Careful selection of the proper relay panel is essential, since the output drive capacity of many data acquisition systems is not sufficient to power even the smallest mechanical or solid state relays. When this is the case, a relay board with buffered inputs is necessary.What is an isolated signal conditioner and why would I need one?
An isolated signal conditioner permits a signal to pass through it yet limits the magnitude of the signal so that unwanted, excessive voltages do not enter the data acquisition system. Signal conditioners provide a non-electrical connection between input and output. Different techniques are used but the most common are optical and magnetic isolation. Because there is no electrical connection, the data acquisition system is protected from any excessive voltages. Some isolated signal conditions are rated as high as 2500 volts. Common applications for isolation includes measurement of relatively low voltage differences on top of high voltage potentials, for instance measuring the temperature of an electrically hot surface with a thermocouple. Isolation also protects the data integrity by minimizing the effects of ground loops and electrical noise.Are signal conditioners used only with computer based data acquisition systems?
No, any data acquisition system which must interface with a non compatible input signal may use or require signal conditioners.
