Rack Mount Load Cell Amplifier and Digitiser (RCA15)
- Provides excitation of 10V @ 160mA to drive up to 6 x 350 Ohm load cells
- Six wire measurement system can compensate for zener barrier losses
- Fully digital set-up and calibration using hand held plug-in display/keypad or comms
- Simple one pass digital auto calibration for minimum set-up time on site
- Auto tare and peak hold actioned by volt-free contacts
- Fully isolated 4-20mA and 0-10V analog outputs
- Setpoints and event handling using digital inputs and 2 x SPCO relays
- High accuracy and high stability over a wide temperature range
The RCA15 Rack Mount Amplifier / Digitizer is a very flexible 19" rack mount digital signal conditioner amplifier for single or multiple strain gauge bridge applications (load cell, force, pressure, torque), offering very easy one-pass calibration and fast setup.
This versatile signal conditioning amplifier offers options of local LCD display, isolated analogue outputs, latching relays or digital outputs for control or alarm functions and in-flight compensation for filling applications.
The RS232 or RS485 options provide for digital communications (including setup) and can support label or ticket printers.
• Optional LCD display and keypad (reduces number of modules per rack from 12 to 8)
• Optional High resolution version RCA15-HR
• RS232 or RS485 communications for setup, data transfer or label/ticket printing
• 19" 3u rack mount Eurocard format
For a wall or surface mount version, see model LCA15 Weighing Amplifier / Digitiser Module,
For a PCB module version, see model LCB Weighing Amplifier / Digitiser PCB
For a wireless telemetry version, see model T24-ACM Radio Telemetry Strain Gauge aquisition
| Inputs | |
|---|---|
| The input is of the Strain Gauge/strain gauge type. A transducer excitation voltage 9.6 volts 1.0A (common to all channels) | |
| Compensation | by ± sense wires for cable connection, voltage drops and any variation in the 10 volt supply |
| Load Cell Sensitivity | is preset via DIL switches to 0.5, 0.8, 1.0 1.25, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5, 3.5, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100 or 200mV/V |
| Initial Offset | is no greater than ± 0.15mV (15µV/V) which is cancelled during auto calibration |
| Speed | is 100 readings per second with a digital filter to reduce speed |
| Accuracy | is 90 days ± 0.08% of reading, +/- 0.05% FSD being typical |
| Drift | is 0.002% per degree C @ 2.5mV/V typical |
| Resolution | 15 bit/ 4.5 digits |
| Contact Inputs | are available for auto tare, print and peak hold reset and are volt free |
| Rack Mounted Load Cell Amplifiers | |
| Two versions are available to mount in the standard 19” rack. | |
| Version 1 (RL1) | comprises an amplifier which is programmed via a hand held, plug in programmer. This version allows for the fitting of the 12 amplifiers |
| Version 2 (RL2) | comprises an amplifier which has a front panel mounted LCD display; program buttons are accessed through 2.2mm apertures in the panel. This version allows for the fitting of 8 amplifiers |
| Analogue Outputs | |
| Drive | 4-20mA up to 1Kohm and 0-10 volts up to 2mA |
| Accuracy | 4-20mA + 0.15% of range, typical. 0-10V ±2% before calibration |
| Resolution | as for display up to 13 bits/4.5 digits. Settling time 350mS to within 1% of step change |
| Isolation | ±130V RMS or DC max to analogue input or any other port |
| Data Retention/Protection | |
| Retention: | 10 years for set up values, minimum of 100,000 write cycles |
| Protection of Data and Function(s): | Watchdog timer giving repeat auto resets. Impending power detection and hold off. Keypad security and time out |
| Environmental | |
| Storage Temperature | -20 to +70ºC |
| Operating Temperature | -10 to 50ºC |
| Relative Humidity | 95% maximum non condensing |
| CE Environmental Approvals | European EMC Directive 2004/108/EC, Low Voltage Directive 2006/95/EC |
Software
Product order options
Please read the following before selecting the options for this product:
Standard or High Resolution Amplifier/Digitiser with 4-20mA/0-10 Analogue.
Starting with the base model RCA, select the options that you need to configure the device to meet your needs.
| Inputs | Code |
|---|---|
| Fast Load Cell Input for Universal Amplifier Board | UAFLC |
| High Resolution Load Cell Input | UAHRLC |
| Outputs | Code |
| Universal Amplifier Fast Analogue Output | UAFAO |
| Comms | Code |
| RCA15 20mA Current Loop Comms Port | RC1 |
| RCA15 RS232 Comms Port | RC2 |
| RCA15 RS485 Comms Port | RC3 |
| Relay | Code |
| RCA15 Digital Output Module | RR1 |
| Display | Code |
| RCA15 Rack Loadcell Amplifier Remote Programmer | RL1 |
| Universal Amplifier Board Rack (Ext) Ext | RUA1 |
| Universal Amplifier Board Rack (Int) | RUA2 |
| RCA15 Rack Loadcell Amp Local Display | RL2 |
| Universal Amplifier Board Rack(Ext) Ext | RUA1-EX |
| Universal Amplifier Board Rack (Int) Ext | RUA2-EX |
| Hand Held Programmer for High Res Input | LP3 |
| Accessories | Code |
| Rack PSU for RF1 & RF2 | RS1 |
| Rack for 12 Channels with Remote Prog. Connection | RF1 |
| ck for 8 Channels with Internal Programmer | RF2 |
| Blanking Panels for RF1 Version | RB1 |
| Blanking Panels for RF2 | RB2 |
| Hand Held Programmer for standard & Fast Input | LP2 |
| VisualLink SCADA Software Full Version (Ex Works) | VLA |
| VisualLink Runtime Key (Ex Works) | VLR |
| VisualLink Runtime Key USB (Ex Works) | VLRU |
| VisualLink Runtime Software Key (Ex Works) | VLS |
| VisualLink SCADA Software Demo | VLD |
These are the following industries and applications in which this product has been used:
- Agriculture - Monitoring Fruit Weight on a Mango Farm
- Theatre & Outside Events - Measuring Forces on Concert Canopies
Rack Mount Universal Signal Conditioner and Digitiser
