%0 Journal Article
%T Low-Cost 4-20 mA Loop Calibrator
%A Joel Arumun
%A Emmanuel Eronu
%J Journal of Flow Control, Measurement & Visualization
%P 49-63
%@ 2329-3330
%D 2023
%I Scientific Research Publishing
%R 10.4236/jfcmv.2023.113004
%X Instrument
calibration is vital to a successful control system because signal inputs to
the system controllers come from such instruments. This paper presents a method
for actualizing a standard low-cost loop calibrator for the famous 4-20 mA
electrical signaling scheme. The loop calibrator generates a linear current
signal from 4 to 20 mA over a 250 ? typical process instrument load for
calibration. The realization of the loop calibrator relies on a
voltage-to-current converter to build a constant current source. The voltage
controlled constant current source is built from discrete components and an
op-amp to keep the cost low. Results from simulations and the prototype
demonstrate the performance of the 4-20 mA loop calibrator which utilizes a
greatly reduced number of components</span><span style=\"font-family:&quot;\">.</span><span style=\"font-family:&quot;\"> The cost of these components is appr<span>oximately
34% of the least expensive calibrator sampled, though other prod</span>uction
costs are not included. This conclusion reinforces the fact that loop
calibrators can be cheaper.
%K Instruments
%K Calibration
%K 4-20 mA Standard
%K Loop Calibrator
%U http://www.scirp.org/journal/PaperInformation.aspx?PaperID=126710