Connecting Temperature Instrumentation to Control Systems

by | Jul 30, 2013 | Measurement Instrumentation, Services, Consulting & Training, Temperature

Jim Cahill

Jim Cahill

Chief Blogger, Social Marketing Leader

As technology advances, process automation professionals face a myriad of ways to connect instrumentation and final control elements to their control systems. Some ways include direct wiring, remote I/O, multiplexors, locally mounted transmitters, HART-enabled transmitters, Foundation fieldbus, and IEC 62591 WirelessHART.

When it comes to direct wiring, some instrumentation, such as temperature measurement devices, have special requirements. RTDs use 4-wire copper cables and thermocouples (T/Cs) must use T/C extension cable matched to the sensor type. Low-level sensor signals are highly susceptible to electrical noise from radio frequency interference (RFI), electromagnetic inference (EMI), & electrostatic discharge (ESD). Long sensor leads act like an antenna for this noise resulting in measurement error.

Traditionally, the signal conditioning to convert these temperature sensor low-level signals to high-level signals is done in the control system I/O cards. With remote I/O, these control system I/O cards are mounted closer to the sensors to minimize the cable distance and reduce the opportunity for RFI/EMI/ESD disturbances.

With longstanding multiplexor technology, the sensor signals are gathered and communicated with the control system using either a serial transmission (RS232C or RS485) or Ethernet-based transmission. These communications may use a proprietary protocol provided by the control system manufacturer or one of the other standard protocols such as MODBUS, OPC, or Profibus.

Rosemount 3144P Temperature Transmitter

A temperature transmitter is when the signal conditioning is done at the sensor, typically mounted in a connection head or enclosure mounted integrally with the sensor and thermowell. Or, the signal conditioner is sometimes remotely mounted nearby to the sensor. The most popular temperature transmitters are HART-based and they offer a wide array of diagnostics and functions that deliver an accurate and reliable measurement signal under even the most adverse environmental and/or electrically noisy conditions.

Instrumentation / Control System Connection-Pros & Cons

Transmitters can communicate their information to a control system using an analog (4-20ma) signal or digital protocols including HART, Foundation fieldbus, Profibus, and IEC 62591 WirelessHART, all providing highly reliable methods of communicating temperature measurements.

Engineer's Guide to Industrial Temperature MeasurementEach method of connection between the field devices and control system has its respective pros and cons as is summarized in the table.

For a detailed description of the advantages and disadvantages of each type of connection, as well as more about temperature sensors, thermowells, installation best practices, and ongoing maintenance and calibration, you’ll want to order your personal copy of The Engineer’s Guide to Industrial Temperature Measurement – 2013 Edition.

There is no charge and you can receive it in electronic or printed form. For the printed version, once you place your order you can expect to receive it in the next two to four weeks, depending on where in the world you are located.

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The opinions expressed here are the personal opinions of the authors. Content published here is not read or approved by Emerson before it is posted and does not necessarily represent the views and opinions of Emerson.

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