Pico Technology

Introduction

Pico signal conditioning is designed to provide a simple method of interfacing a wide range of sensors and transmitters (temperature, humidity, pressure etc) to data loggers and oscilloscopes. The conditioners provide power or excitation and amplify the sensor output.

One or more signal conditioners can then be plugged, via an adaptor. Adaptors are availible for Enviromon (stand alone data logging) and for the ADC-16 (PC based data logger).

The data logging software will then automatically detect which signal conditioning module is connected and scales the results into the correct units. For example, if a PT100 temperature conditioner is connected, data will be displayed and recorded in °C. If a current clamp is connected then readings will be in Amperes.

Signal conditioners can also be plugged into a general purpose adapter which provides outputs from standard BNC connectors, so that sensors can be interfaced to Pico PC based oscilloscopes and other manufacturers dataloggers, multimeters and chart recorders.

Signal Conditioners

There are nine signal conditioners available, each suitable for connecting different sensors:

CM004: Temperature (PT100)

CM005: Temperature (Type K thermocouple)

CM006: Temperature & resistance

CM0013: Humidity & temperature

CM007: 4-20mA current loop (Powered)

CM008: 4-20mA current loop (Isolated)

CM015: 10V bridge (for pressure/load)

CM018: Current clamp (LEM-Heme)

CM019: Current clamp (AC mV)

CM004 : Temperature (PT100)

The PT100 platinum resistance signal conditioner works with standard 2, 3 or 4 wire sensors. It provides high accuracy, high stability temperature measurement over a wide range. See also our technical note on choosing and using PT100 sensors. The PT100 sensors sold for use with the PT104 data logger are suitable for use with the CM004, but require the connector to be removed

Technical Specification

CM005 : Temperature (Type K thermocouple)

The CM005 works with any type K thermocouple. It provides good accuracy over the full temperature range. See also our technical note on choosing and using thermocouple sensors

Technical Specification

CM006 : Temperature and Resistance
The CM006 is primarily designed for use with a precision thermistor, but can also be used with any resistor whose resistance varies between 10k and 1M.

CM013 : Temperature and Humidity
The CM013 comes complete with a calibrated humidity/temperature sensor on a 5m lead. Note that as the conditioner measures both temperature and humidity, two channels are required. One CM013 can be used per Enviromon / Oscilloscope adapter. Two CM013s can be used per ADC-16 adapter.

CM007 : 4-20 mA Current Loop (Powered)
The 4-20mA signal conditioner works with two-wire transmitters that produce a 4-20mA output. This type of transmitter is very practical because the two-wire circuit provides both sensor power and signal return: being current- based, it offers very good immunity to electrical noise. The conditioner provides power for the current loop.

CM008 : 4-20 mA Current Loop (Isolated)
The CM008 is designed to be used in existing current loops, or where the sensor / transducer has its own power supply. The CM008 is opto isolated to prevent ground loops and increase safety.

CM015 : 10V Bridge (for pressure / load / flow)
The 10 Volt bridge signal conditioner works with standard 4 or 6 wire pressure sensors, load cells and air flow sensors. It provides excitation at 10 volts, and accepts input voltages up to 100mV.

CM018 : Current clamp
The CM018 signal conditioner works with the LEM-Heme range of AC and DC current clamps. There are several current ranges, and both DC and RMS versions are available. The DC version is suitable for DC current measurement and for AC signal quality measurement. RMS versions are suitable for power measurement with mains signals. When working with AC, EnviroMon and the ADC16 are suitable only for use with the RMS versions.

Technical Specification

CM019 : Current transformer
The CM019 works with a wide range of AC current clamp transformers. It uses a true RMS converter to produce a DC output. It is ideal for AC power and current monitoring.

Technical Specification

Sensor power