Current Loop to Ethernet Converter

[Longhorn]

Hi all,
I have been allocated a project whereby 6 flow transmitters which are all 4-20 mA current loop are to be historically trended in Intouch. The Flow Meters are quite remote but there is already an ethernet cable ran to that vicinity. I need to convert 4-20mA into ethernet then plumb them into a switcher and im off, intouch part should be a doddle.
Was wondering if there is a known method for converting this or should something like this do the trick??:-

www.jmcanty.com/Products/Vector/TA9688-1.pdf

Many Thanks and merry xmas to all at PLC Talk!

LH

 

[TimWilborne]

There are many devices to do this. As far as the Canty, you need to figure out what protocols it is capable of communicating over Ethernet

 

[Mickey]

The device you linked to is a output device not input.
As TW said there are devices out there that will do the job. See link below for one such device.

http://www.miinet.com/products/ca_distributed.shtml

You also might consider a small RTU or PLC remote mounted close to the transmitters.

 

[Tom Jenkins]

As TW said, many companies offer remote or field I/O devices, for example AutomationDirect.com and Allen Bradley. Note that all Ethernet devices don't talk to each other. You need to determine the protocol your Intouch is using and match it. For example Allen Bradley's TCP/IP won't talk to Modbus TCP, event though the Ethernet link is electrically compatible.

 

[Mike Dyble]

Have a look at Red Lion Controls, The modular controller will do what you want, and it can talk many different ethernet protocols

http://www.redlion.net/Products/ProcessControl/ModularController.html

 

[[email protected]]

Hi all,
I have been allocated a project whereby 6 flow transmitters which are all 4-20 mA current loop are to be historically trended in Intouch. The Flow Meters are quite remote but there is already an ethernet cable ran to that vicinity. I need to convert 4-20mA into ethernet then plumb them into a switcher and im off, intouch part should be a doddle.
Was wondering if there is a known method for converting this or should something like this do the trick??:-

www.jmcanty.com/Products/Vector/TA9688-1.pdf

Many Thanks and merry xmas to all at PLC Talk!

LH

Heres an option for you. Try putting a small PLC in the field to bring in the 4-20ma inputs over Ethernet. You will need a CPU with Ethernet and two 4 channel analog input modules and an OPC server to talk to Intouch. I can send you a list of parts if you are interested that will work for you.

 

[Longhorn]

many thanks all for your replies, after further discussions with people onsite, looks like this mod might grow into a site wide thing incorporating our chiller plant and many other things, so i am going to go down the PLC route rather than use seperate remote i modules.

Thanks everyone for your help...appreciated!

 

[Roy Matson]

You might also check out Opto22, they have a whole range of I/O that uses ethernet. Their modules are small and cheap, typically 2 & 4 input so you wouldn't have to buy any mor I/O than you need.
Roy

 

[Ken Moore]

Are the transmitters HART compliant? If so, there is a new wireless HART standard. Many vendors are selling retro-fit units that will transmit the HART data via wireless to a central collection point. As of now they are not recommending it for control, but you are only monitoring and historizing, might be worth checking into.

 

[PSI CONTROL SYSTEMS]

4-20mA to ethernet converter

http://raventechllc.com/index.php

check this out its what your looking for i think.