Converting MicroLogix/PICO Analog Input to 4-20mA Current Inputs Page 1 of 3

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16415 - Converting MicroLogix/PICO Analog Input to 4-20mA

Current Inputs
Is there a procedure to convert voltage analog inputs (0-10V) current inputs (4-20mA)?

Below is an example using a MicroLogix 1000, but this also

applies to MicroLogix 1100, MicroLogix 1400 and PICO GFX
Yes. This involves using an external precision resistor wired in parallel with the analog input
device (see figure below) to the voltage input(s) of the MicroLogix. The resistor must be a
500 Ohm low-drift precision resistor valued at 0.05% or 10 ppm. The power rating for the
resistor should be 1/4 Watt.

http://rockwellautomation.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/16415 1/28/2011
Converting MicroLogix/PICO Analog Input to 4-20mA Current Inputs Page 2 of 3

MicroLogix 1000 and PICO GFX operation:

When the analog sensor produces a 4mA signal,the voltage that the MicroLogix will read is
2.00 Volts. This will be converted to the number 6241 by the analog to digital converter in
the controller and can be read by the ladder logic program.

When the analog sensor produces a 20mA signal, the voltage that the MicroLogix will read is
10.00 Volts. This will be converted to the number 31,206 by the analog to digital converter
and can be read by the ladder logic program.

MicroLogix 1100:
The MicroLogix 1100 analog is 10 bit resolution.

When the analog sensor produces a 4mA signal,the voltage that the MicroLogix will read is
2.00 Volts. This will be converted to the number 206 by the analog to digital converter in the
controller and can be read by the ladder logic program.

When the analog sensor produces a 20mA signal, the voltage that the MicroLogix will read is
10.00 Volts. This will be converted to the number 1023 by the analog to digital converter and
can be read by the ladder logic program.

MicroLogix 1400 operation:

The MicroLogix 1400 analog is 12 bit resolution.

When the analog sensor produces a 4mA signal,the voltage that the MicroLogix will read is
2.00 Volts. This will be converted to the number 819 by the analog to digital converter in the
controller and can be read by the ladder logic program.

When the analog sensor produces a 20mA signal, the voltage that the MicroLogix will read is
10.00 Volts. This will be converted to the number 4095 by the analog to digital converter and
can be read by the ladder logic program

Details
Answer ID 16415
Access Level TechConnect
Products Programmable Controllers
PLC (PLC/SLC/MicroLogix)
MicroLogix
MicroLogix 1000 (1761)
MicroLogix 1100 (1763)
Categories General
Date Created 05/20/1998 10:56 AM

http://rockwellautomation.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/16415 1/28/2011
Converting MicroLogix/PICO Analog Input to 4-20mA Current Inputs Page 3 of 3

Date Updated 12/08/2010 02:43 PM

Prev. TN# A16562

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http://rockwellautomation.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/16415 1/28/2011