Hey guys, I've hit a dead end with an electronics problem and I'm hoping someone here can suggest some ideas.
We basically have an electronic sensor that detects gas. It has a transmitter that outputs current based on how much gas has been detected. For example, the range could be 1 - 5 mA and at 50% gas, it will output 2.5 mA. Now these sensors are in a plant environment (about 30-40 sensors in each section) driven by a 24VDC power supply. Some of these sensors randomly go into fail. The current on random sensors drops below the low level and the sensors go into fail.
We've eliminated the sensors being the problem because we take the sensor/transmitter to the lab and it works fine. We're thinking it could be a power issue, but everything seems to be fine with the power supply and they're within spec. I guess we're trying to figure out what can cause a current drop and keep it at that level. AC voltage spikes and other things can cause current drops, but it wouldn't keep it there. So that's what I'm trying to find out - what is causing random sensors to drop the current output.
I'd appreciate any ideas/feedback/suggestions guys. Pretty close to bashing my head on a wall because of this problem.
We basically have an electronic sensor that detects gas. It has a transmitter that outputs current based on how much gas has been detected. For example, the range could be 1 - 5 mA and at 50% gas, it will output 2.5 mA. Now these sensors are in a plant environment (about 30-40 sensors in each section) driven by a 24VDC power supply. Some of these sensors randomly go into fail. The current on random sensors drops below the low level and the sensors go into fail.
We've eliminated the sensors being the problem because we take the sensor/transmitter to the lab and it works fine. We're thinking it could be a power issue, but everything seems to be fine with the power supply and they're within spec. I guess we're trying to figure out what can cause a current drop and keep it at that level. AC voltage spikes and other things can cause current drops, but it wouldn't keep it there. So that's what I'm trying to find out - what is causing random sensors to drop the current output.
I'd appreciate any ideas/feedback/suggestions guys. Pretty close to bashing my head on a wall because of this problem.