TRANSMITTERS

Presented by
G Kiran Kumar (210115019)
Mayank Shukla (210115020)

Under the guidance of

Dr. G. Uma
Associate Professor,
ICE Department
Contents
 Introduction
 Classification of transmitters
 Two wire and four wire transmitters
 Transmission
 The Basics of 4-20mA Current Loop
 Smart transmitters and design
 Introduction

Measured Transmitted signal

quantity (PV) Transmitter (to controller)
Sensing element (Signal generator/line driver)
Standard signal

*Fig. From Process dynamics and control by Dale E.Seborg, F.edgar, A.Mellichamp
Signal Conditioning
 Signal are normally weak, of low amplitude, improper/non-uniform
shapes, unsuitable for transmission
 Conditioning: level shift, pulse-shaping, amplification, etc.
Introduction
Transmitter:
 A transmitter is a device which converts the reading from a primary sensor
or transducer into a standard signal and transmits to a monitor or
controller
 A driving element
 Converts the sensor output to a signal level appropriate for input to a
controller, such as 4 to 20mA DC electric current, 3-15 PSI air pressure
 Designed to be direct acting
Transmission :
 Involves a transmitter, a transmission medium, power supply and a receiver
Types of Transmitters
 Transmitters used in process instrumentation (two broad groups)
 Pneumatic Transmitters
 Electronic Transmitters  analog/digital or smart
 A/c to type of signal they produce
 Pneumatic Transmitters
 Analog Transmitters
 Digital Transmitters

Analog Transmitters
Pneumatic Transmitter
Principle:
 Use of mechanical force-balance elements to generate signals in the
range of 3 to 15 psig

Fig. Pressure transmitter

Pneumatic Transmitter
 Physical variable measured standard pressure signal in the range of 3-15
psig
 The pressure signal is transmitted through pipes/tubes to gauges and chart
recorders and also used as feedback signals in control applications
 3 psig- Live-zero or Calibrated zero input, Zero-Offset, Positive-Zero
 Useful in trouble-shooting, as signal integrity is verified with 0% of input and output
signal
 Having a live zero in control system also allows to set the “zero” of controlled device (i.e.
an actuator valve or other device) just a little bit below 4mA to hold it completely OFF
 15 psig - 100% PV
 Any pressure below 3 psig – dead zero

Fig. Level transmitter

Pneumatic Transmission problems!
 Internal and external leakages
 Pressure drops
 Availability of clean, dry
compressed air
 Difficulty in transmitting pressure
signals to longer distances
 Noise, mechanical vibrations
In control applications
 More no. of moving parts
 Hysteresis, non-linearity
 Low response times
 High frequency of service and
associated maintenance costs and
inventory costs
Electronic Transmitters
Advantages:
 Better accuracy
 Linearity and repeatability
 Greatly simplified measurement and control
 Reduced operation and maintenance costs
 Improved transmittability to greater distances
Electronic Transmitters
 Analog transmitters
 Digital transmitters
 Analog-Digital/hybrid (SMART) transmitters
Analog transmitters
 Physical variable measured an equivalent electrical signal
voltage or current that is conveyed by means of wires/cables from
measurement site to the control room or process controller
Voltage Transmitters:
• Wire-resistance/impedance poses a significant problem, especially
long transmission lengths and Signal attenuated along the line
• High susceptibility to Induced noise

• Suitable only for short distances

Analog transmitters
 Typical signal ranges (corresponding to PV form 0% to 100%)
 0 to 10 V
 0 to 5V
 -10V to +10V
 -5V to +5V
Analog transmitters
Current Transmitters:
 Wire-Resistance and interconnections (connectors) has no effect on the flowing current
in the current loop
 For a low impedance system, it is much less sensitive to induced noise
 Low sensitivity to electrical noise - very important for long distance transmission in harsh
industrial environments. Lossless with respect to the transmission media (wire) and the
accuracy of the signal is not affected by the voltage drop in the interconnecting wiring

 Signal ranges
 0-20mA
 4-20mA (Industry standard)
 0-50mA
 10-50mA
 For analog conventional transmitter 
Digital Transmitters
 Output: Digital or discrete signals that are combined in a variety of
ways to enhance communication with the devices
Advantages:
 Enhances diagnostic capabilities of device
 Makes control of devices
 Process relatively easy and smooth
Digital Transmitters
 Pulse transmission
 Switch/contact-closure-digital transmission
 Serial data transmission
Pulse transmitters
 Instruments/devices are incorporated with a sensing mechanism that
produces pulse output in proportion to the variable being measured
(generally, motion)
 The frequency of pulses is proportion to the measurements
Pulse output mechanisms
Basics of 4-20 mA Current Loops
 Vertices of the triangle represent a wired connection between these
componenents.
 I = source of current /power supply; T=Transmitter; R=Receiver

Fig. Symbolic 2–Wire Current Loop Fig. 2—Wire current loop with Fig. Traditional 2- Wire current
component Substitutions loop with Earth ground
Basics of 4-20 mA Current Loops
 The ANSI/ISA standard 50.00.01 describes three different current loops connection types
 24V DC, but there is instances of 12V, 15V and 36V

Fig. Two wire transmitter

 Accuracy achievable 1%
Basics of 4-20 mA Current Loops
 Design flexibility to utilize any power like, 230vac, 24 Vdc or 110 Vac

Fig. Four wire transmitter

3-Wire Current Transmitter
 Accuracy is very high compared to 2-wire current transmitter
 24V DC power supply ; Effective for varying current problem
4-20 mA current Loops
Transmitters:
 Here, Transmitter is not the source of current, but simply regulates the
flow and magnitude of the current through it.
 Transmitters draw their operating power form the current flowing through
them and the voltage across them.
 Two-wire transmitters will also have minimum and
maximum output voltage ratings that must be observed
 Lower/min. voltage required to operate transmitter;
Maximum transmitter voltage is the highest voltage
it can withstand

*Ovr = over-scale or alarm limit of the transm

Basics of 4-20 mA current Loops
Transmitter:
 The transmitter output voltage will adjust itself to dissipate any
excess voltage in the loop, but the loop supply must never exceed the
maximum voltage rating of the transmitter output.
Basics of 4-20 mA current Loops
Receiver:
 Located thousands of feet from the transmitter.
 We often use a resistor to represent the receiver that can be physical
resistor, or simply the input impedance of the receiver channel.
 Receiver devices: a panel meter, actuator valve, motor speed control, a PLC
(Programmable Logic Controller), or other DCS (Digital Control system)
 It may be other transmitter, signal isolator, or even a wireless transducer
 Common resistances used are 250Ω (1-5V), 500Ω (2-10V), 50Ω (0.2-1V),
and 100Ω (0.4-2V)
Basics of 4-20 mA current Loops
Wire:
 Wire resistance can have potential
impact on an installation

Fig. Bare Copper Wire Resistance at 25°C (77°F)

1 mil=0.001 of an inch
*AWG American wire gauge
Example
Let’s assume that we have wired our loop elements together using 3000 feet of 24
AWG.
If Power supply=24V
Transmitter requires 8V, Max. current = 22mA
 What is the maximum receiver load that I can support?
Rw= 3000ft × (26.2Ω/1000ft) =78.6Ω
 Voltage drop in wires= 0.022A × 78.6Ω =1.73V (at max.
loop current of 22 mA)
Rr = Vr/I = (Vs-Vt-Vw)/I = (24V-8V-1.73V)/0.022A
Fig. Traditional Two-Wire Current Loop w/ Resistor R
w
=648Ω Added to Account for Total (Round Trip) Wire Resistance

 648Ω represents the total resistance that can be driven at 22mA

For multiple receivers, this resistance is split between the devices and this sum
cannot exceed 648Ω
Advantages of Current loops over voltage
loops
 Low sensitivity to electrical noise - very important for long distance
transmission in harsh industrial environments.
 The use of a “Live Zero” also improves the signal to noise ratio at low
levels, allowing us to accurately discern low signal levels without
added noise or interference.
 The 4-20mA transmission standard also has low inherent energy,
minimizing its ability to couple noise into other systems and also
reducing its radiated emissions
References
 https://www.acromag.com/sites/default/files/Acromag_Intro_TwoWire_Tr
ansmitters_4_20mA_Current_Loop_904A.pdf
 http://www.instrumentationtoolbox.com/2013/06/transmitters-used-in-
process.html#axzz3qR8Dxxyb
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SSNfiqynSlI&index=7&list=PLR-
LFfM28-8yyeLsLJEWsBnElIjkJYgB7
 http://www.coulton.com/beginners_guide_to_differential_pressure_trans
mitters.html
 http://www.pc-education.mcmaster.ca/Instrumentation/go_inst.htm
 http://jumo.com.pl/pdf/20.2701_gb.pdf
 http://www.instrumentationtoolbox.com/2013/06/transmitters-used-in-
process.html#axzz3qKQj8E9k