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4 to 20 mA Supply, Load, Shunt and Signal Calculator

Select Answer Mode
Supply & Load Values
Min / Max Limits
Shunt Signal Values
Calculate 4-20mA Circuit Parameters
Tx Supply (V) [?]
Resistance (Ω) [?]
Power Supply (V) [?]
Voltage Drop (V) [?]
Current Signal (mA) [?]

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4 to 20mA signal products

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User Guide

4-20mA current loop signal circuitThis 4-20mA current loop signal circuit tool will calculate all the electrical parameters associated with the power supply, load resistance, transmitter supply, shunt voltage drop and current signal.

Since all the components in a 4 to 20mA circuit are connected together in series to form a loop circuit, and the current in the loop is regulated by the transmitter, any change to the electrical characteristics of one component will have a direct effect on the electrical parameters of the other components.

Answer Modes

Supply & Load Values

These parameters will help you determine how supply voltages  are effected by changes in load resistance and current output signal.

Min / Max Limits

These answer modes will provide you with the required limits of operation for minimum supply voltage and maximum load resistance, so you can select a suitable transmitter, load resistor or power supply.

Shunt Signal Values

When a shunt resistor (load) is placed in series with the transmitter and power supply, it will cause a voltage drop across it, the level of voltage drop is directly related to the current flowing through it and the shunt resistance. This is how measuring instrumentation converts a 4-20mA signal, by placing a shunt resistor in series with the current loop and measuring the resulting voltage signal (e.g. 1-5Vdc with 250 ohm shunt resistance).

4 to 20mA signal products

Formulas

The formulas used by this to 20 mA supply, load, shunt and signal calculator to determine each individual parameter are as follows:

VTx = VPS – (I4-20mA · RL)

RL = (VPS – VTx ) / I4-20mA
RL = VL / I4-20mA

VPS = VTx  + (I4-20mA · RL)

VL = I4-20mA · RL

I4-20mA = VL / RL

Symbols

  • VTx = Transmitter supply voltage
  • RL = Load/Shunt resistance
  • VPS = Power supply voltage
  • VL = Voltage drop across load resistor
  • I4-20mA = Current signal

Parameters

Transmitter Supply Voltage (VTx)

This is the supply voltage in volts (V) available to the power the transmitter.

Load/Shunt Resistance (RL)

This is the resistance measured in ohms (Ω) of the load or shunt resistor that is added in series to the power supply and transmitter to form a current loop circuit.

Power Supply Voltage (VPS)

This is the overall voltage measured in volts (V) which is used to power the whole current loop circuit.

Voltage Drop (VL)

This is the shunt voltage, measured in volts (V), which is generated across a load resistor, when added in series to the current loop circuit.  It is used to convert the 4-20mA current signal to a measurable voltage.

Current Loop Signal (I4-20mA)

This is the current signal measured in milliamps (mA), that is generated by the transmitter to provide a measurement signal range of 4 to 20 mA.

4 to 20mA signal products