• British Electricals

Digital To Analogue Eight Current Loop Converter

The DCC-8 is a microprocessor-based unit which converts digital data into eight continuous analogue current loops. The processor controls the digital input, handles the unit's active memory and updates the current outputs. The DCC-8 is designed to enhance small PLC units which are limited in their analogue output capability. The unit provides user-selectable output current spans of 0-20 mA or 4-20 mA in 12-bit resolution. One parallel and two serial ports are available. The parallel input port receives an asynchronous 15-bit bus, composed of (three bit) output channel designation address and (twelve bit) output channel current value data. The DCC-8 can be synchronously controlled by using the Enable terminal as a strobe input or by leaving it in the Enable state for continuous asynchronous operation. In this state, the digital inputs are continuously monitored and compared to the previous stored value. When new data is encountered, the old data is replaced and the output is updated. The DCC-8 unit provides both RS-232C and RS-422 full duplex serial communication ports. The RS-422 serial communication port enables use of up to eight DCC-8 units in a multi-drop configuration. A DIP switch array enables parameters such as baud rate, unit ED, digital control mode (serial or parallel) and output span (0-20 mA or 4-20 mA) to be configured by the user. The unit is housed in a polycarbonate plastic enclosure mounted on a standard DIN rail. It has an accuracy of 0.1% and comes with a 3-year warranty.