Transmitters

Instrumentation & Control

Topics
• Theory and Operation of Transmitters
• Important Properties When Acquiring Transmitters
• Transmitters Used in Process Instrumentation
• Commonly Used Transmitters in the Instrumentation and
Control Industry
Learning Objectives
1. Discuss the theory and operation of transmitters and
their significance in instrumentation and control
2. Enumerate and explain the important properties when
acquiring transmitters
Learning Objectives
3. Make a comparison among the three transmitters used in
instrumentation and control, namely, pneumatic, analog,
and digital/ smart transmitters
4. Explain the principle of operation and applications of some
commonly used transmitters in the industry – pressure,
level, flow, and temperature transmitters
Basic Elements of the I&C System (Loop)
𝐷𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑏𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒

𝑃𝑟𝑜𝑐𝑒𝑠𝑠
𝑀𝑉 𝑃𝑉

𝑆𝑃
𝐹𝑖𝑛𝑎𝑙 𝑀𝑒𝑎𝑠𝑢𝑟𝑖𝑛𝑔
sensor +
Actuators
𝐶𝑜𝑛𝑡𝑟𝑜𝑙 𝐸𝑙𝑒𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡
transmitter
𝐸𝑙𝑒𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡
Controller,
𝑅𝑒𝑐𝑒𝑖𝑣𝑖𝑛𝑔
Indicators,
𝐶𝑂 𝐸𝑙𝑒𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑃𝑉
etc.
Elements of a Process Control Loop
• Process Variable – the variable of interest to be controlled
and manipulated (e.g. Temperature, Pressure or Flow)
• Measuring Device (Sensor) – converts the measurement into
a suitable signal format (typically 4 – 20mA or digital) and
then transmit it to the controller
• Controller – acts on the final control element in the control
loop based on the predefined set value (SV) and
programmed logic
What is a Transmitter
• … an electronic device that is generally mounted in the field
in close proximity to a sensor
• …. fundamental role is to provide the right electrical power
to turn the sensor on (or excite), then read the low-level
sensor signal, amplify it to a higher-level electrical signal, and
send it to a control or read-out unit for a lengthy range signal
Transmitter
• A device that converts the signal produced by a sensor into a
standard instrumentation signal such as 3 − 15 𝑃𝑆𝐼 air
pressure, 4 − 20𝑚𝐴 DC electric current, Fieldbus digital
signal, etc., which may then be conveyed to an indicating
device, a controlling device, or both which is often located in
a centralized control room
Transmitter
• Often combines a sensor and the transmitter in a single
device

• The sensor measures the process variable and generate a

proportional signal
• The transmitter amplifies and conditions the sensor signal
for onward transmission to the controlling device
Important Properties When Acquiring
Transmitters
• Accuracy -- the difference between the measured value
obtained by the sensor and the true value

• Repeatability -- the difference between the sensed values

obtained for the same true value
Important Properties When Acquiring
Transmitters
• Rangeability -- the ratio of large to small readings that
maintains accuracy

• Sensor Dynamics -- the time constant of the sensor; how

long it takes to detect and transmit a changed value
Transmitters Used in Process Instrumentation
• Pneumatic Transmitters
• Analog Transmitters
• Digital/ Smart Transmitters
Pneumatic Transmitters
• Output a pneumatic signal corresponding to the process
variable
• Commonly used in industrial plants: 3 − 15 𝑝𝑠𝑖𝑔 (LRV – URV)
• Used in remote locations where electric power is not readily
available
Pneumatic Transmitters

20 − 30 𝑝𝑠𝑖𝑔
𝐴𝑖𝑟 𝑆𝑢𝑝𝑝𝑙𝑦
3 − 15 𝑝𝑠𝑖𝑔
𝑂𝑢𝑡𝑝𝑢𝑡

𝐻 𝐿

𝐴𝑝𝑝𝑙𝑖𝑒𝑑 𝑃𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑢𝑟𝑒 𝑉𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑑 𝑃𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑢𝑟𝑒

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Analog Transmitters
• Output an electrical signal (current or voltage) whose
magnitude represents a physical measurement or a control
quantity
• Uses analog signal standard to communicate information
• Most common standard analog signal: 4 − 20𝑚𝐴 (LRV –
URV)
Analog Transmitters

4 − 20 𝑚𝐴
𝑂𝑢𝑡𝑝𝑢𝑡

𝐴𝑝𝑝𝑙𝑖𝑒𝑑 𝑃𝑟𝑜𝑐𝑒𝑠𝑠 𝑉𝑎𝑟𝑎𝑏𝑙𝑒, 𝑒. 𝑔.

𝑃𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑢𝑟𝑒, 𝑇𝑒𝑚𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑒, 𝐹𝑙𝑜𝑤, 𝑒𝑡𝑐
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 Analog Transmitters
• Differential Pressure Transmitter

Characteristics
Pressure Type: Differential Technology: Capacitive Output: Analog http://www.directindustry.com/prod/ascon-
tecnologic-srl/product-6014-438530.html

Other Characteristics: with Pressure Range:

display Max.: 186,500 Pa (27.05 psi)
Min.: –186,500 Pa (–27.05 psi)
Description:
Employs a capacitive sensor, has an accuracy of 0.075% per span, and has a
calibrated span from 1.5 mBar. It offers long term stability, and has high rangeability
(100:1). The unit has an onboard LCD display and magnetic push buttons for Zero and
Span field adjustment.
Digital Transmitters
• Produce digital signals that are combined in a variety of
ways:
• To enhance communication with the device
• Enhances diagnostic capabilities of the device
• Makes control of the devices and processes relatively easy
and smooth
Digital Transmitters
• Digital signals are discrete levels that are combined in
specific ways to represent process variables and also carry
other important information, such as diagnostic information

• Combine the digital signals in a variety of communication

protocols such as Fieldbus, HART, etc.
Digital Transmitters
• EJA-E series Differential Pressure Transmitter
Characteristics
Pressure Type: Differential Technology: Membrane Output: Digital
Other Characteristics: SIL 2 Pressure Range:
2,300 psi http://www.directindustry.com/prod/yokoga
wa-europe/product-19033-1800925.html
Description:
The EJA-E series of transmitters is Yokogawa's most recent evolution of the DPharp family of
pressure transmitters. Released in 2012, it combines the ruggedness and success of the work-
horse EJA-A series with the performance of the thoroughbred EJX-A series to deliver the type
of product you have come to expect from Yokogawa.
The EJA110E is the standard traditional-mount differential pressure transmitter in this series.

0.055% Accuracy (0.04% Accuracy optional) Exida and TUV SIL 2 / SIL3 Certified
0.1% Stability per 10 years MWP 2,300 psi (MWP 3,600 psi option)
90 ms Response Time Local Parameter Setting (LPS)
Transmitters Used in Process Instrumentation
• Most Common Process Variables of Interest:
1. Pressure – Pressure Transmitters
2. Temperature – Temperature Transmitters
3. Flow – Flow Transmitters
4. Level – Level Transmitters
5. Chemical Composition – Analytic Transmitter
Nomenclature of Field Devices Used in
Process Instrumentation
• Local Gauge (without control function) – a sensor device
which provides local readout only
• PI – Pressure Indicator
• TI – Temperature Indicator
• FI – Flow Indicator
• LI – Level Indicator
• VI – Vibration Idicator
Nomenclature of Field Devices Used in
Process Instrumentation
• Transmitters (without and with control function)
• TE – Temperature Element (Transmitter)
• PT – Pressure Transmitter
• FT – Flow Transmitter
• LT – Level Transmitter
• VT – Vibration Transmitter
Pressure Transmitters
• Essentially used in measuring various types of
process pressures
Pressure Transmitters
• Absolute Pressure Transmitter
– measures the pressure relative to perfect vacuum
pressure
• Gauge Pressure Transmitter
– measures the pressure relative to atmospheric pressure
at a given location
– when the pressure reads 0 𝑝𝑠𝑖, it means pressure is
atmospheric
Pressure Transmitters
• Differential Pressure Transmitter
– measures the difference between two or more pressures
introduced as inputs to the sensing unit
– used to measure the pressure drop across an oil filter for
example
– popularly used to measure flow or level in pressurized
vessels
Pressure Transmitters

Yokogawa
quicktimeonline.com

𝑌𝑜𝑘𝑜𝑔𝑎𝑤𝑎 𝐷𝑖𝑓𝑓𝑒𝑟𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑖𝑎𝑙 𝑌𝑜𝑘𝑜𝑔𝑎𝑤𝑎 𝐼𝑛 − 𝐿𝑖𝑛𝑒 𝑀𝑜𝑢𝑛𝑡

𝑃𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑢𝑟𝑒 𝑇𝑟𝑎𝑛𝑠𝑚𝑖𝑡𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝐺𝑎𝑢𝑔𝑒 𝑃𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑢𝑟𝑒 𝑇𝑟𝑎𝑛𝑠𝑚𝑖𝑡𝑡𝑒𝑟
Level Transmitters
• Used to measure the level of a liquid or solid
material within a vessel or space
• Can measure level continuously or at
determined points
Level Transmitters
• Point Level Transmitters
• Provide an output when a specific level measurement is
reached
• The output is in the form of audible alarm or an electric
signal to turn on a switch
• Continuous Level Transmitters
• Measure level within a specified range and provide an
output as a continuous reading in proportion to the
changing level
Level Transmitters
• Ultrasonic Level Transmitters
• Used for non – contact level sensing of highly viscous
liquids, as well as bulk solids
• Conductive Level Transmitters
• Used for point level detection of a wide range of
conductive liquids such as water, and especially well
suited for highly corrosive liquids such as caustic soda,
hydrochloric acid, and similar liquids
Level Transmitters
• Pneumatic Level Transmitters
• Used in hazardous environments and where there is no
electric power
• Capacitive Level Transmitters
• Used in liquids that are non – conductive and have a high
dielectric constant and can be used for continuous level
monitoring
Level Transmitters
• Hydrostatic Based Level Transmitters
• Use the hydrostatic pressure at a point in a liquid to
determine level
 Level Transmitters

https://www.instrumart.com/products/5090/intempco-ltx02-capacitance-level-transmitter

https://www.instrumart.com/products/24668/rosemount-2051l-liquid-level-transmitter

𝐶𝑎𝑝𝑎𝑐𝑖𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝐿𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑙 𝑇𝑟𝑎𝑛𝑠𝑚𝑖𝑡𝑡𝑒𝑟

𝐿𝑖𝑞𝑢𝑖𝑑 𝐿𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑙 𝑇𝑟𝑎𝑛𝑠𝑚𝑖𝑡𝑡𝑒𝑟
Temperature Transmitters
• Composed with a temperature sensor and transmitter
• The transmitter receives the signal from the sensor,
computes the temperature based on the signal and
then converts it to a 4 − 20 𝑚𝐴 output signal for a
receiving device such as a controller
Temperature Transmitters
• Thermocouple Type Temperature Transmitter
• The calculated temperature is based on the electromotive
force generated by changes in the process temperature
• RTD Type Temperature Transmitter
• The calculated temperature is based on the changes of
the electrical resistance with the process temp
• The relationship between the process temperature and
electrical resistance of the RTD is used to calculate
temperature by the transmitter
 Temperature Detectors and Transmitter

𝑇ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑚𝑜𝑐𝑜𝑢𝑝𝑙𝑒 𝑇ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑚𝑜𝑐𝑜𝑢𝑝𝑙𝑒

𝑇ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑚𝑜𝑐𝑜𝑢𝑝𝑙𝑒 𝑅𝑇𝐷 𝑇𝑟𝑎𝑛𝑠𝑚𝑖𝑡𝑡𝑒𝑟

Temperature Detectors and Transmitter
Flow Transmitters
• Used to measure and indicate flow
• Combination of a flow sensor and transmitter in
one piece
Flow Transmitters
• Signal from the flow sensor is used by the transmitter to
generate a 4 − 20 𝑚𝐴 output that represents changes in
flow in the actual process
• Flow transmitter technologies:
• Velocity based flow sensor
• Ultrasonic flow sensor
• Differential pressure flow sensor
Commonly Used Abbreviations in the Industry
• FI - Flow Indicator
• FIT - Flow Indicator Transmitter (Displays and
transmits the flow rate value)
• FE - Flow Element
• FT - Flow Transmitter
Flow Transmitters

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Quora

𝑀𝑎𝑔𝑛𝑒𝑡𝑖𝑐 𝐹𝑙𝑜𝑤𝑚𝑒𝑡𝑒𝑟
End