Classic analog technology is still popular in modern process plants.The 4...20mA signal, which enjoys a good reputation particularly among planners, installers and maintenance staff, is widely used here.With the Mini Analog Pro product family, Phoenix Contact now enables this signal to be integrated into Profinet networks, thereby opening up new potential for system operators.Without the 4...20mA signal, there is still not much going on in measurement, control and regulation technology.In industrial plants, sensors have been measuring physical values ​​such as temperature, flow rate and pressure for decades and converting them into analogue electrical signals.These are transmitted to a central control unit installed in the control cabinet and processed there.The control unit then forwards the signals to actuators, such as electric motors or control valves.The established 4...20mA technology offers a number of significant advantages: The corresponding system environment proves to be maintenance-friendly and universally usable.Troubleshooting in 4...20mA measuring circuits is easy and can be carried out without special equipment.In addition, almost every type of sensor with a built-in 4...20mA transmitter is available on the market (Figure 1).Especially in process engineering systems, the sensor and control levels are connected to each other via sometimes very long lines.The resulting risk of a negative influence on measurement signals is great.Examples include ground loops, unwanted signal coupling or load problems.As a result, there are deviations that can have a significant impact on the entire measurement chain.The isolating amplifiers from the Mini Analog Pro product family can help.With a width of just 6.2 millimeters, they provide a wide range of functions that simplify the work of every system planner and operator.In addition to modern circuit technologies that allow a deviation of up to 0.05 percent compared to the standard deviation of 0.1 percent, the compact devices include numerous configuration options via DIP switches, software or the Mini Analog Pro app (Figure 2).The app has already proven itself in many applications with complex parameterization requirements, especially when used on site in the machine or system, and has established itself as the standard.Based on the integrated NFC chips (Near Field Communication), the isolating amplifiers are automatically recognized by the app and can also be set when the power is off.This proves to be an advantage, since only an NFC-enabled smartphone is required.Another benefit results from the uninterrupted current measurement function via special service sockets attached directly to the module.In this way, the maintenance technician can record the process values ​​with a conventional multimeter without disturbing the machine/system operation.The pluggable connection terminals on the input and output side with optional selectable screw or push-in connection technology allow step-by-step commissioning or maintenance of the application.Due to the direct network connection of the Mini Analog Pro isolating amplifier, there are no signal-specific input cards on the controller.With the easy-to-plug-in communication modules, every device in the product family with a current or digital output can be integrated into the network to save space.The user can combine current or voltage signals, temperatures, frequencies, NAMUR switching contacts or potentiometers in any way: A suitable measuring transducer is available for all common signals.At the same time, it benefits from the continuous galvanic isolation up to the CPU and between the individual channels.Each transmitter offers safe isolation according to EN 61010.Terminals that can be plugged in in pairs have an additional advantage: They offer space for innovations - for example the leap from the analog to the digital world.With the pluggable communication modules of the Mini Analog Pro product family, various field signals can be converted into digital protocols - without requiring any additional space.Up to eight freely combinable isolation amplifiers serve as a platform for the pluggable Mini Analog Pro gateway, which starts work immediately and without an additional power supply.The channel-by-channel galvanic isolation, precise signal transmission and direct connection to digital networks make it possible to dispense with the I/O level and expensive signal-specific input cards.In addition, the gateways provide the extensive parameterization and monitoring options of the Mini Analog Pro series.This results in new application scenarios with significant space savings (Figure 3).With the new communication gateway Mini MCR-2-V8-PN, different analogue and digital signals can now also be integrated into Profinet networks.Profinet is becoming more and more established as the standard in automation technology and is replacing the existing nodes from the Profibus technology that has been in use since the 1980s.The switch from Profibus to the Profinet protocol is proving to be particularly interesting for refitting projects.For this application scenario, the Mini Analog Pro product family offers a flexible and efficient solution with the new communication gateway.The device was certified by the Profibus user organization according to Conformance Class C and can therefore be easily migrated into a large number of applications.The Plug&Play principle also counts in this application: remove the output terminal on the Mini Analog Pro isolating amplifiers, plug in the communication gateway for Profinet and connect the network cables - that's it.A novelty is the dual-port architecture.A switch built into the module allows the direct connection of several Profinet communication modules from the Mini Analog Pro product family.This opens up new possibilities, for example the efficient integration of more than eight field signals without requiring any additional space in the control cabinet (Figure 4).But the communication gateway is not only user-friendly in the physical application.Implementation in a Profinet network is just as easy.The user downloads the necessary GSDML description file free of charge from the product page on the Phoenix Contact homepage.After implementation in the bus structure, the process data is assigned.The device parameters are also set via the bus protocol.As a result, the user can keep an eye on and manage all process data.The special advantage of using Mini Analog Pro is the high flexibility of use.On the one hand, this results from the extensive product range of isolation amplifiers and measuring transducers, which provides the right solution for almost every application.On the other hand, the optionally pluggable communication gateways enable simple integration of classic signals from analog technology into digital transmission protocols.With the new Profinet interface, a new level of scalability can also be implemented using daisy chaining.The combination of isolation amplifiers and communication gateways also results in a compact, flexible and efficient solution for the next step towards digitization and Industry 4.0.Because Mini Analog Pro makes the 4...20mA signal fit for Profinet.All Mini Analog Pro modules have an NFC interface for wireless communication with the user's Android smart devices.Without any accessories, they benefit from the many functions of the app, which they can download free of charge onto their smartphone or tablet.Depending on the mobile device and product type, the application offers different functions:Further information can be found on the Phoenix Contact company websiteI have read the terms and conditions, the information on the right of withdrawal and data protection and accept them.By registering, I accept the terms of use of the portals in the industry media network.I have taken note of the data protection declaration.Dringenauer Str. 30 31812 Bad Pyrmont GermanyThe chemical group Lanxess, together with the financial investor Advent, is taking over the plastics division of the Dutch chemical group DSM.The Cologne-based company also intends to bring its own business into the joint venture set up for this purpose.Read more...With the MBA801 rotary vane product series with halfpipe, the modern MBA level indicators with stepper motor technology can be used in even more bulk goods.Read more..."The first analogue bulk goods trade fair in years." 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