Modbus & Serial Output Transmitter for Load Cell or Microvolt Input

• Isolated excitation output, 120 mA at 10V, to power up to four 350 ohm load cells in parallel
• Detachable screw-clamp connectors
• Dual solid state relays for alarm or control, isolated
• 0-10V, 4-20 mA or 0-20 mA transmitter output, isolated
• Universal AC power, 85-264 Vac
• Priced at only $290 (basic load cell transmitter)

• Extended main board for custom curve linearization & rate from successive readings
• Low voltage power, 10-48 Vdc or 12-32 Vac

The Laureate Modbus & serial output, load cell or microvolt input transmitter is designed for use with load cells, strain gauges and microvolt input signals where exceptional sensitivity and stability are required. A most sensitive full-scale input range ±20 mV can be scaled internally to ±99,999 counts.

A built-in, isolated, 10V, 120 mA excitation supply can power up to four 350-ohm load cells in parallel. Load cell connection can be via 4 or 6 wires. With 4-wire load connection, the transmitter operates in a ratiometric mode to eliminate errors due to supply variations. With 6-wire load connection, it also compensates for variation in resistance of the transducer leads, thereby allowing long cable runs.

Fast read rate at up to 60 conversions per second while integrating the signal over a full power line cycle is provided by Concurrent Slope (Pat 5,262,780) analog-to-digital conversion. High read rate is ideal for peak or valley capture and for real-time computer interface and control.

Digital signal filtering modes are selectable for stable readings in electrically noisy environments. The internal digital readings and analog output can be separately selected to be either unfiltered or filtered.

• An unfiltered selection updates after each conversion for fastest response, up to 60/sec, while integrating the input signal over a full power cycle. Fast read rate provides true peak and valley readings and aids in control applications.
• A batch average filter selection averages each 16 conversions for an update every 1/4 sec.
• An adaptive moving average filter selection provides a choice of 8 time constants from 80 ms to 9.6 s. When a significant change in signal level occurs, the filter adapts by briefly switching to the shortest time to follow the change, then reverts back to its selected time constant. Another choice is Auto, which provides an automatic time constant selection based on the signal noise characteristics.

LTM Series serial output transmitters send data via an isolated serial port, which is user configurable for RS232 or RS485 and full or half duplex operation. Three protocols are user selectable: Modbus RTU, Modbus ASCII, or Laurel ASCII. Modbus operation is fully compliant with Modbus Over Serial Line Specification V1.0 (2002). The Laurel ASCII protocol allows up to 31 Laureate devices to be addressed on the same RS485 data line. It is simpler than the Modbus protocol and is recommended when all devices are Laureates. It also allows use of Laurel Datalogging Software.

The Laureate 4-20 mA phase angle transmitter transmits the lead or lag in degrees from 0÷ to 360÷ between two periodic signals of the same period. In the illustration to the right, phase angle is 360*P1/P. The signals are applied to the Channel A and B inputs of the Laureate dual-channel pulse input signal conditioner board. A resolution of 1°, 0.1° or 0.01° is selectable. Accuracy is 0.01% up to 100 Hz, 0.1% at 1 kHz, and 1% at 10 kHz.

Standard features of Laureate transmitters include:

• Serial communications, isolated. User selectable RS232 or RS485, half or full duplex, Modbus or Laurel ASCII protocol.
• Analog transmitter output, 16-bit, user scalable and isolated. User selectable 4-20 mA, 0-20 mA or 0-10V levels.
• Dual solid state relays for control or alarm, isolated. Rated 120 mA at 130 Vac or 170 Vdc.
• Transducer excitation output, isolated. User selectable 5V@100 mA, 10V@120 mA or 24V@50 mA.
• Universal AC power supply for 85-264 Vac.

Easy Transmitter programming is via Laurel's Instrument Setup Software, which runs on a PC under MS Windows. This software can be downloaded from this website at no charge. The required transmitter-to-PC interface cable is available from Laurel (P/N CBL04).