Macro Sensors has introduced a single channel, low voltage signal conditioner that supports any standard LVDT, RVDT and VRT half-bridge sensor. Operating from 12V or 24V DC power, the Model LVC-2500 DC-LVDT Signal Conditioner is designed specifically for use in 24V systems with PLCs and mini-PLCs or in 12V mobile and vehicular testing systems.
Units offer three analog outputs: bipolar 0 to 10 V DC, unipolar 24 V DC, or 4 to 20 mA (sourcing) in a
3-wire common ground system in which the power ground is connected to the output signal’s ground. By shifting a movable internal jumper in the LVC-2500 Signal Conditioner, users can choose between 3, 5, or 10 kHz nominal excitation frequencies at a level of 3V rms for operating LVDTs with primary impedance. For multiple channel applications, several LVC-2500 modules can be connected together in a master/slave mode to synchronize their excitation oscillator frequency. This eliminates the effects of spurious beat frequency signals, cross talk, and intermodulation effects.
Internal circuitry produces a low distortion sine wave to excite the LVDT and a synchronous demodulator to convert the LVDT's AC output to a more useful DC voltage proportional to core position. Additional circuitry regulates DC operating power and provides span and zero adjustability, a two-pole low pass output filter, and the voltage-to-current conversion that drives the current loop output.
Packaged in a DIN-rail mounting thermoplastic case, the LVC-2500 withstands the abuse of different factory environments. Front-panel, externally accessible span and zero controls permit output offset adjustment from -100% to +100% of full-scale output. Units incorporate movable coarse gain jumpers, which allow it to operate over an LVDT full-scale output signal range of greater than 100 to 1. As the LVC-2500 does not require phase adjustment control, it works with reasonably long cables between it and the LVDT.
The LVC-2500 Signal Conditioner also offers several popular math functions that can be used between two modules. These include A+B, A-B,(A+B)/2, and (A-B)/2. Therefore, two LVC-2500 modules can be connected together, along with a pair of LVDT gaging probes, to measure differential dimensions, thicknesses, and average height of products in SPC and other quality control applications.