Hi Tim. I have seen you and your kids do some cool side projects over the years and had an idea that maybe you and your kids could do that would also help those of us new to Controls and PLCs. Could we use a PLC with an Analog output to control a RGB LED Strip Light? There are both addressable and non-addressable strip lights, I am not sure if we could do it with both. I cant really think of a real reason I want to do this, but I have all the parts laying around my desk and have been using resistors to change the color of my strip lights because I do not have a controller for them. Might be a fun project and learning experience for analog outputs.
You don't "split" a 4-20mA signal, you series them. Similarly to how I add a meter into the loop in this video. twcontrols.com/lessons/how-to-measure-a-4-20ma-signal-without-blowing-the-fuse-in-your-voltmeter Also there are modules that are splitters modules which are basically 1 channel analog in 2 channel analog out circuits where the two output channels mimic the input channel. These can be useful where you have a high load impedance or you want to isolate one circuit from the other.
I love the video, but I do have a few questions that I hope you can answer or someone with more knowledge can answer. I was gifted the Loop Simulator SIM-ALP2 from a maintenance technician here at the wastewater treatment plant in Tuscaloosa,Alabama. I'm having a hard time trying to figure out what this device can provide me with. I deal with 4-20mA standards on a daily basis as we use E&H transducers for our local lift station wet wells as well as various other devices that utilize 4-20ma. We have RTU's that house MicroLogix 1400 PLC's as well, so honestly I am trying to educate myself on this particular instrument hoping that it can provide me with one more tool in troubleshooting. I have a FLUKE 787B and FLUKE 789 that can both simulate and source, so what need can I get from this Loop Simulator that will make me more efficient as an electronic technician ?
Hi Joseph. Here is a video with the long answer. I should have it chopped up into smaller videos soon but mouse over the timelines and find the 2 wire vs 4 wire section, and then the 2 wire wiring and 4 wire wiring. Most of your E&H that have a display will be 4 wire. The ones without are likely 2 wire but the first thing would be to learn which one is which because there are two types of mA signals that you will need to troubleshoot. ruclips.net/video/20QltAiD_G4/видео.html
@@TimWilborne Thank you, your video's have helped create a cleaner picture for me in my career as an electronic technician. As an instructor, do you happen to know of any weblinks that will help me along the way ? I'm an avid collector of knowledge and would love to hear your thoughts and suggestions on any information regarding 4-20mA, electrical & electronic troubleshooting, PLCs, etc. I work in a wastewater treatment plant, so I am very use to working with PLCs, contactors, relays, level and pressure instrumentation, ISBs, pumps, pump level controllers, DEVAR controllers, limit switches, etc.
Thanks for all three links, this was the most helpful and a bit to what was looking for.
Good to hear!
Scan to the manual might be the smartest thing I have ever seen
Thanks
I love this device! Makes troubleshooting so efficient
Glad to hear it Dyna. I always have one in my tool bag.
Very handy
Yes it is!
Hi Tim. I have seen you and your kids do some cool side projects over the years and had an idea that maybe you and your kids could do that would also help those of us new to Controls and PLCs. Could we use a PLC with an Analog output to control a RGB LED Strip Light? There are both addressable and non-addressable strip lights, I am not sure if we could do it with both. I cant really think of a real reason I want to do this, but I have all the parts laying around my desk and have been using resistors to change the color of my strip lights because I do not have a controller for them. Might be a fun project and learning experience for analog outputs.
Hi Adam. That should be possible, my son does it with an Arduino, you are right, could be a fun lesson on ratios.
Hi, can use this device as current source. Just to generate a value of current
Yes. It has a current source mode to simulate a four-wire device and a current loop mode to simulate a two-wire device.
How can you use this to determine the integrity of a wire? If it’s broken or weak?
The open wire feature will tell you if you have a broken wire or to high of resistance to push 20mA through
Can u make a video to how to wire to split a 4-20ma signal????
You don't "split" a 4-20mA signal, you series them. Similarly to how I add a meter into the loop in this video.
twcontrols.com/lessons/how-to-measure-a-4-20ma-signal-without-blowing-the-fuse-in-your-voltmeter
Also there are modules that are splitters modules which are basically 1 channel analog in 2 channel analog out circuits where the two output channels mimic the input channel. These can be useful where you have a high load impedance or you want to isolate one circuit from the other.
Can I purchase this? I live in India.
Great video, sure beats having a benchtop power supply to generate simple signals!
Yes, I don't go on a job site without it. Thanks for watching!
Nice!. Tim , What about 3 wire device? Is it not used in the industry?
3 wire device is a 4 wire device without an isolated mA-. You use the PLC Tools SIM-ALP2 in Current Source mode and connect it as a 4 wire device.
How much price
See the following link plctools.com/analog-simulator-and-generator-with-lcd-0-10vdc-and-4-20ma/
I love the video, but I do have a few questions that I hope you can answer or someone with more knowledge can answer. I was gifted the Loop Simulator SIM-ALP2 from a maintenance technician here at the wastewater treatment plant in Tuscaloosa,Alabama. I'm having a hard time trying to figure out what this device can provide me with. I deal with 4-20mA standards on a daily basis as we use E&H transducers for our local lift station wet wells as well as various other devices that utilize 4-20ma. We have RTU's that house MicroLogix 1400 PLC's as well, so honestly I am trying to educate myself on this particular instrument hoping that it can provide me with one more tool in troubleshooting. I have a FLUKE 787B and FLUKE 789 that can both simulate and source, so what need can I get from this Loop Simulator that will make me more efficient as an electronic technician ?
Hi Joseph. Here is a video with the long answer. I should have it chopped up into smaller videos soon but mouse over the timelines and find the 2 wire vs 4 wire section, and then the 2 wire wiring and 4 wire wiring. Most of your E&H that have a display will be 4 wire. The ones without are likely 2 wire but the first thing would be to learn which one is which because there are two types of mA signals that you will need to troubleshoot.
ruclips.net/video/20QltAiD_G4/видео.html
@@TimWilborne Thank you, your video's have helped create a cleaner picture for me in my career as an electronic technician. As an instructor, do you happen to know of any weblinks that will help me along the way ? I'm an avid collector of knowledge and would love to hear your thoughts and suggestions on any information regarding 4-20mA, electrical & electronic troubleshooting, PLCs, etc. I work in a wastewater treatment plant, so I am very use to working with PLCs, contactors, relays, level and pressure instrumentation, ISBs, pumps, pump level controllers, DEVAR controllers, limit switches, etc.