Signals & Electrical
4-20 mA
The industrial world's favourite analogue measurement signal.
IN ONE SENTENCE
A sensor represents its measurement by varying current from 4 to 20 milliamps.
In normal English
It is simple, robust and works well over long cable runs. Four milliamps normally represents the bottom of the range and 20 mA the top, while a current near zero can help indicate a wiring or power fault.
Why would I use it?
Use it when you need a dependable analogue signal that almost any PLC, controller, display or data logger can understand.
THINK OF IT LIKE…
Like a very simple language with one continuously changing number.
Related terms
0-20 mA, 0-10 V, analogue input, signal conditioner
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