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2-Wire Loop-Powered Isolator Guide

Signal isolators and converters can perform signal conversion and splitting while providing isolation between devices. They come in input loop-powered and output loop-powered varieties. Input loop-powered isolators draw power from the transmitter loop, adding load that must be accounted for. They are well-suited for retrofitting isolation with minimal wiring changes. Output loop-powered isolators power the receiver loop and can drive loads up to 600 ohms. Signal isolators allow sharing a process variable between two systems like a DCS and ESD, with the isolator providing isolation so maintenance on one system does not disrupt the other.

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87 views1 page

2-Wire Loop-Powered Isolator Guide

Signal isolators and converters can perform signal conversion and splitting while providing isolation between devices. They come in input loop-powered and output loop-powered varieties. Input loop-powered isolators draw power from the transmitter loop, adding load that must be accounted for. They are well-suited for retrofitting isolation with minimal wiring changes. Output loop-powered isolators power the receiver loop and can drive loads up to 600 ohms. Signal isolators allow sharing a process variable between two systems like a DCS and ESD, with the isolator providing isolation so maintenance on one system does not disrupt the other.

Uploaded by

azrinoordin
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Signal Isolators, Converters and Interfaces:

The Ins and Outs


Isolators/converters that are output loop-powered are powered just like any other 2-wire dP, pressure or temperature transmitter (Figure 9). The output always has to be some form of 4-20mA, but signal conversion (such as 1-5V to 4-20mA) and split ranging, like a 4-12mA range, can still be performed. When powered with 24V, these isolators typically drive into 600 ohms.
Figure 9. 2-Wire, Output Loop-Powered Signal Isolator/Converter.
OUTPUT LOOP POWERED
+

To run the isolator electronics, the isolator consumes 5.5V from the loop or, to put it another way, the isolator itself looks like a 275 ohm load on the transmitter. To calculate the total burden on the transmitter, you have to add the isolator load to the 275 ohm load. The total load could then be as high as 525 ohms plus wire resistance. That is not usually a challenge for a 4-wire transmitter, but it can be for a loop-powered transmitter limited to 600 ohms.

ISOLATOR

Beyond the Basics


RECEIVER RECEIVER

+24V

NON-ISOLATED TRANSMITTER
+ +24V

4-20mA

ISOLATED 4-20mA
opto isolation
+IN

Area Isolation (Divert and Protect Signals)


It is quite commonplace to share process signals between two different systems. It could be two control systems, one Emergency Shutdown System (ESD) and one control system, one DCS and a data acquisition system, and other numerous combinations. Generally it is unacceptable to create one series loop between the transmitter and two systems. Why? You would not want a series loop if you had to disconnect the input at one system for maintenance purposes, because both systems would lose the signal. One solution to sharing a variable with two systems is to use a single signal isolator (Figure 11). One system is declared the primary system,
Figure 11. A signal isolator can be used to share a process variable with two different systems.

POWER SUPPLY

A 2-wire, input loop-powered isolator is a great solution when applied correctly. The beauty of this isolator is its overall simplicity, with integration into the loop nearly seamless. For example, look at Figure 10 and imagine that the isolator was not originally implemented. Soon after startup, it was discovered that isolation was required for the process. The good news is that to install this type of isolator, you just break your loop where convenient and insert the isolator. A simple solution, wiring changes and installation costs are minimal. However, its also simple to misapply a input loop-powered isolator. Certain rules must be followed. An input loop-powered isolator is powered from the 4-wire transmitter in the eld. The transmitters 4-20mA output and its compliance voltage must power the isolator electronics and the isolators output. Because loop-power is limited, the isolators output load is held to 250 ohms. The receivers input impedance can be anywhere from 0-250 ohms, and it should be a xed load. In addition, there can be no voltage on the output of the isolator.
Figure 10. 2-Wire, Input Loop-Powered Signal Isolator/Converter.
INPUT LOOP POWERED
+ +IN

+24V

ISOLATED 2-WIRE TRANSMITTER

ISOLATED 4-20mA
+IN

ESD

INPUT PASSIVE LOOP INPUT


+ + +24V

ISOLATOR

opto isolation

OUTPUT LOOP ISOLATED 4-20mA


+IN

DCS

ISOLATOR 2-WIRE

+ RECEIVER RECEIVER

NON-ISOLATED NON-ISOLATED RECEIVER 4-WIRE TRANSMITTER TRANSMITTER

4-20mA
IN transformer isolation

ISOLATED 4-20mA

and it powers the transmitter. In Figure 11, the primary system is an ESD. The output loop-powered isolator (with a Passive Input) isolates the primary loop from the secondary loop. The DCS is the secondary loop. Maintenance can disconnect the input to the DCS without impacting the signal going to the ESD.

The Interface Solution Experts [Link]


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