Module Selection Guide - Sensors

How to select a Q.series measurement module based on sensor type

 

Purpose

This document will help determine the type of Q.series or Q.series X module to select based on the type of sensor being used. It is possible to use a particular sensor on multiple types of modules. In this situation, channel count, sensor specifications, and data rate will be considered.

Housing Type

Depending on the application and final installation location, the Q.series modules can take on different form factors. Most modules are available in each form but check with your sales representative or Gantner personnel for verification.

Q.bloxx or Q.bloxx X

These are DIN rail-mounted modules intended for stationary test benches. In some locations, these need to be installed in industrial enclosures. This type of system is best suited for distributed systems or applications where vibration and portability are not an issue.

Q.brixx or Q.brixx X

These portable systems are constructed of durable aluminum housings where the controller and measurement modules are interlocked. This type of system is best suited for moving applications or when the DAQ system needs to move around a testing facility.

Q.raxx or Q.raxx X

These 19” rack units are designed to fit into 19” rack cabinets. This type of system is best suited for locations that require a high density of channels (a lot of channels in a limited amount of space). The Q.raxx are 3U high and provide similar connections as Q.bloxx and Q.brixx units vs. the Q.raxx slimline which are 1U high and provide industrial or customer-specific connectors.

Sensors

Analog Output

To output standard voltage (±10 V) and/or current (0-20 mA) signals.

• A102 – 1 analog output, ±10 V and 0-20 mA (100 kHz)
• A106 – 2 analog outputs, ±10 V (10 kHz)
• A109 – 4 analog outputs, ±10 V and 0-20 mA (100 kHz)
• A192 – 1 analog output, ±10 V and 0-20 mA (100 kHz)

Bridge

Also known as a Wheatstone bridge is an electrical circuit used to measure an unknown resistance by balancing the other bridge components. Typically used as a strain gage and is the fundamental sensing element for pressure sensors, load cells, torque sensors, position sensors, etc. It can take several forms depending on how many active gauges are in the circuit: full bridge (4 active), half bridge (2 active), and quarter bridge (1 active). To measure half and quarter bridge circuits, Gantner provides completion resistors internally (A116) or externally (A101, A102, A106, A107, A142, A156), either 120Ω or 350Ω.

• A101 – 2 universal inputs (incl. full/half bridge, 100 kHz, DC)
• A102 – 1 full/half bridge input (100 kHz, DC)
• A106 – 2 full/half bridge inputs (20 kHz, AC or DC)
• A107 – 4 universal inputs (incl. full/half bridge, 20 kHz, DC)
• A107 4M1 – 4 universal inputs (incl. full/half bridge, 20 kHz, DC, 15VDC sensor supply)
• A116 – 8 full/half/qtr bridge inputs (20 kHz, DC)
• A121 – 2 full/half bridge inputs (100 kHz, DC, 1.2 kV isolation)
• A142 - 2 universal inputs (incl. full/half bridge, 20 kHz, DC)
• A146 - 16 quarter bridge inputs (20 kHz, DC)
• A156 - 4 full/half bridge inputs (20 kHz, AC or DC)
• A192 - 1 universal input (incl. full/half/qtr bridge, 100 kHz, DC)

Current

To measure standard (0)4-20 mA signals. The A103 and A108 modules require an external shunt to measure currents.

• A101 – 2 universal inputs (incl. current, 100 kHz)
• A107 – 4 universal inputs (incl. current input, 20 kHz)
• A107 4M1 – 4 universal inputs (incl. current input, 20 kHz, sensor supply)
• A108 – 8 current inputs (20 kHz)
• A121 – 2 universal inputs (incl. current input, 100 kHz)
• A122 - 1 current input (via shunt ±80 mV, ±240 mV, ±800 mV, ±2400 mV, 100 kHz, 1.2 kV isolation)
• A127 – 2 current inputs (via shunt ±80 mV, ±240 mV, ±800 mV, ±2400 mV, 100 kHz, 1.2 kV isolation)
• A127 2CV – 2 current inputs (±200 mA, ±400 mA, ±800 mA, 1.2 kV isolation)
• A192 - 1 universal input (incl. current ± 20 mA, 100 kHz)

DC Accelerometers

Better known as DC response accelerometers, a mV output is monitored depending on the amount of G’s applied to the sensor. The measurement module will measure the mV output and provide a conversion to G’s.

• A101 – 2 universal channels (±60V, 100 kHz)
• A103 – 8 channels (±10V, 100 Hz)
• A107 – 4 universal channels (±10V, 20 kHz)
• A107 4M1 – 4 universal channels (±10V, 20 kHz, 15VDC sensor supply)
• A108 – 8 channels (±10V, 20 kHz)
• A108 MEMS 2M3 – 2 tri-axis MEMS inputs (±10V, 20 kHz, 15 VDC sensor supply)
• A108 MEMS 4M1 – 4single-axis MEMS inputs (±10V, 20 kHz, 15 VDC sensor supply)

Digital Inputs

Depending on the module, these inputs can be configurable as counters, frequency, PWM, time, state, tare, or reset. The digitals have a max input voltage of 30VDC and a max input current of 0.5 mA.

• A101 – 2 digital inputs max (state, tare, reset)
• A102 – 4 digital inputs (state, tare, reset)
• A103 – 2 digital inputs (state, tare, reset)
• A106 – 2 digital inputs max (state, tare, reset)
• A108 – 2 digital inputs (state, tare, reset)
• A109 – 4 digital inputs (2 counter, 2 frequency, or 2 PWM, state)
• D101 – 8 digital inputs (counter, frequency, PWM, time, state)
• D104 – 16 digital inputs (state, single or bit set, host controlled)
• D107 – 6 digital inputs configurable (adjustable threshold in 256 steps)
  (2 x 3 differential or single-ended, frequency, counter, PWM, state)

Digital Outputs

Depending on the module, these inputs can be configurable as frequency, PWM, state, or alarm. The digitals have an output voltage range of 10 to 30VDC.

• A101 – 2 digital outputs max (state, alarm)
• A102 – 2 digital outputs (state, alarm)
• A103 – 2 digital outputs (state, alarm)
• A106 – 2 digital outputs max (state, alarm, limit switch)
• A108 – 2 digital outputs (state, alarm)
• A109 – 4 digital outputs (2 frequency, 2 PWM, state)
• D101 – 8 digital outputs (frequency, PWM, state)
• D105 – 16 digital outputs (state, single or bit set, host controlled)

Encoders

Typically used to measure speed, direction, angular position, etc., by measuring pulses on a rotary shaft. Depending on the type of input and the # of wires required:

• D101 – standard digital input and output module
• D107 – digital input module with zero crossing built-in

ICP/IEPE

An integrated circuit piezoelectric sensor is mostly used to measure dynamic pressures, forces, strain, or acceleration. IEPE is a similar non-proprietary standard that achieves the same results.

• A101 – 2 universal channels (±10 VDC, 100 kHz)
• A102 – 1 channel (±10 VDC, 100 kHz)
• A111 – 4 channels (±10 VDC, 100 kHz)
• A111 HB – 4 channels (±10 VDC, 100 kHz, 45kHz bandwidth)
• A111 HB 30V– 4 channels (±30 V, 100 kHz, 45kHz bandwidth)
• A121 – 2 channels (±10 VDC, 100 kHz, 1.2 kV isolation)
• A192 – 1 channel (±10 VDC, 100 kHz)

LVDT & RVDT

A linear variable differential transformer measures linear displacement (position). A rotary variable differential transformer is used to measure angular displacement.

• A106 – 2 channels (10 kHz, 4.8 kHz Carrier Mode AC)
• A142 – 2 channels (10 kHz, SSI)
• A156 – 4 channels (10 kHz, SSI)

Piezoelectric Transducers

These types of sensors usually need an external amplifier/signal conditioner to convert to a voltage signal. This module has a built-in charge amplifier.

• A141 - 4 channels (1000 - 1000000 pC, 100kHz)

RTD (Pt100/Pt1000)

These resistance temperature detectors are used to measure temperature due to the
predictable change in the resistance of metals (typically platinum, nickel, or copper). RTDs are slowly replacing the use of thermocouples in applications below 500-600 °C due to increased accuracy and repeatability. The following modules can all be used:

• A101 – 2 universal channels (2 or 4 wire, 100 kHz)
• A105 – 4 channels (2, 3, or 4 wire, 10 Hz)
• A105 CR – 4 channels (6500 Ω and 20000Ω, 2, 3, or 4 wire, 10 Hz)
• A107 – 4 universal channels (2, 3, or 4 wire, 20 kHz)
• A107 4M1 – 4 universal channels (2, 3, or 4 wire, 20 kHz)
• A192 – 1 channel (2, 3, or 4 wire, 100 kHz)

Thermocouples

The A104 is the designated module to measure thermocouples of all types (Type B, E, J, K, L, N, R, S, T, U), but the universal analog modules can be used also. These modules require an external CJC terminal block. The A104 TCK or TCx has the cold junction compensation built-in. The A124 is for high-isolation thermocouple measurements, where the CJC is built into the module for each channel.

• A101 – 2 universal inputs (incl. thermocouple, 100 kHz)
• A104 – 8 thermocouple channels (100 Hz)
• A104 TC– 8 thermocouple channels (100 Hz, mini TC connector)
• A107 – 4 thermocouple channels (20 kHz)
• A124 – 4 thermocouple channels (20 kHz, 1.2 kV isolation)
• A192 – 1 universal input (incl. thermocouple, 100 kHz)

Vibrating Wire

These sensors are used to monitor the condition and loads of pre-stressed concrete constructions. It measures forces using a wire that vibrates at a high frequency. The applied forces change the tension of the wire and, thus, its frequency. The data acquisition acquires the data as a microstrain measurement. The VibWire module communicates to the Q.station over RS485.

• VibWire 108 RS485 – 8 vibrating 4-wire channels, 100Hz to 10kHz (100 kHz)

Voltage

Different ranges of voltage measurement are possible depending on the module. High isolation and high voltages can be measured as well.

• A101 – 2 voltage inputs (±100 mV, ±1 V, ±10 V, ±60 V), (100 kHz)
• A102 – 1 voltage input (±100 mV, ±1 V, ±10 V, ±60 V), (100 kHz)
• A104 – 8 voltage inputs (±80mV), (100 Hz)
• A107 – 4 voltage inputs (±100 mV, ±1 V, ±10 V), (10 kHz)
• A108 – 8 voltage inputs (±10 V), (10 kHz)
• A108 60V – 8 voltage inputs (±60 V), (10 kHz)
• A111 – 4 voltage inputs (±100 mV, ±1 V, ±10 V), (100 kHz)
• A121 – 2 voltage inputs (±100 mV, ±1.25 V, ±10 V), (100 kHz, 1.2 kV isolation)
• A122 – 1 voltage input (±40 V, ±120 V, ±400 V, ±1200 V), (100 kHz, 1.2 kV isolation)
• A123 – 4 voltage inputs (±100 mV, ±1.25 V, ±10 V), (100 kHz, 1.2 kV isolation)
• A127 – 4 channels (2 voltage / 2 current) (±40 V, ±120 V, ±400 V, ±1200 V), (100 kHz, 1.2 kV isolation)
• A128 – 4 voltage inputs (±40 V, ±120 V, ±400 V, ±1200 V), (100 kHz, 1.2 kV isolation)
• A142 – 1 voltage input (±10 V), (100 kHz)