Each DSCA37 non-linearized thermocouple input module provides a single channel of thermocouple input which is filtered, isolated, amplified, and converted to a high-level voltage output. Signal filtering is accomplished with a five-pole filter which provides 85dB of normal-mode rejection at 60Hz and 80dB at 50Hz. An anti-aliasing pole is located on the field side of the isolation barrier, and the other four poles are on the system side. After the initial field-side filtering, the input signal is chopped by a proprietary chopper circuit. Isolation is provided by transformer coupling, again using a proprietary technique to suppress transmission of common mode spikes or surges.
The DSCA37 can interface to eight industry standard thermocouple types: J, K, T, E, R, S, B and N. Each module has cold junction compensation to correct for parasitic thermocouples formed by the thermocouple wire and input screw terminals on the module. Upscale open thermocouple detection is provided by internal circuitry. Downscale indication can be implemented by installing a 47 MOhm, ±20% resistor between screw terminals 6 and 8 on the input terminal block.
Module output is either voltage or current. For current output models a dedicated loop supply is provided at terminal 3 (+OUT) with loop return located at terminal 4 (-OUT). The system-side load may be either floating or grounded.
Special input circuits provide protection against accidental connection of powerline voltages up to 240VAC and against transient events as defined by ANSI/ IEEE C37.90.1. Protection circuits are also present on the signal output and power input terminals to guard against transient events and power reversal. Signal and power lines are secured to the module using screw terminals which are in pluggable terminal blocks for ease of system assembly and reconfiguration.
The modules have excellent stability over time and do not require recalibration, however, zero and span settings are adjustable up to ±5% to accommodate situations where fine-tuning is desired. The adjustments are made using potentiometers located under the front panel label and are non-interactive for ease of use.
