Current Output Sensor Cable for 4-20 mA (0-20 mA) Output
SCC1-Current
▪ Configurable analog current output of flow rate
measurement
▪ Switch output with configurable threshold
▪ Volume integration by counting pulses
▪ Compatible with digital SLQ, SLI, SLS and
SLG liquid flow meters
Product Summary
The Current Sensor Cable SCC1-Current allows simple and quick readout of Sensirion’s liquid flow meters by
converting the digital sensor reading into an analog current (current loop) output, configurable to any range
within 0-20 mA. Additionally, a digital (high/low) open drain output with two modes of operation is available
(Flow Switch / Volume Counter).
In Flow Switch mode, the output is high or low depending on the momentary flow rate and two configurable
threshold values.
In Volume Counter mode, a voltage pulse is generated every time a defined volume has flown through the flow
meter.
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Content
1 Modes of Operation
3
2 Electrical Specifications
7
3 Mechanical Specifications
10
4 Ordering Information
10
5 Important Notices
11
6 Revision History
12
7 Headquarters and Subsidiaries
12
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1 Modes of Operation
The SCC1-Current sensor cable provides analog 0-20 mA (or 4-20 mA) output for Sensirion’s Liquid Flow meters of the
SLG, SLI, SLS and digital SLQ series. The cable’s internal electronics read the I2C output of the sensor and converts it
to an analog current signal and an optional digital open drain output.
The SCC1-Current sensor cable is marked with a yellow sleeve next to the M8 sensor connector and with an imprint
0-20MA 24V/xxxx on the cable, where xxxx denotes a lot code.
The cable has a total length of 5 meters.
1.1 Analog Current Output (Iout)
The current output provides a current which corresponds to the measured flow rate. The flow rate is linearly mapped to
the current across a user-specified range, see Figure 1, and can be calculated by the following formula:
𝐹𝑙𝑜𝑤𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑒 = (𝐼𝑜𝑢𝑡 − 𝐼𝑚𝑖𝑛) ⋅
𝐹𝑙𝑜𝑤𝑎𝑡𝐼𝑚𝑎𝑥 − 𝐹𝑙𝑜𝑤𝑎𝑡𝐼𝑚𝑖𝑛
+ 𝐹𝑙𝑜𝑤𝑎𝑡𝐼𝑚𝑖𝑛
𝐼𝑚𝑎𝑥 − 𝐼𝑚𝑖𝑛
The parameters Imax, Imin, FlowatImax and FlowatImin can be configured by the user (see section 1.4 Configuration). They
can be freely chosen within the range of the sensor’s specifications.
By default, SCC1-Current is configured with 10 mA output at no-flow, 0 mA for negative maximum flow (sensor output
limit), and 20 mA for positive maximum flow (sensor output limit). The default calibration field accessed by SCC1-Current
can also be configured.
The sensor cable output current is capped at the current output limits IhighLimit and IlowLimit. By default, IhighLimit is set to
21 mA and IlowLimit is set to 0 mA. See Figure 1 below for an illustration of the different parameters.
Figure 1: Scaling of the analog current output and definition of parameters.
Example:
The SLS-1500 has a maximum flow range (output limits) of +/-65 ml/min. If the whole flow range is to be covered by the
analog current output, the parameters FlowatImin and FlowatImax are set to -65 ml/min and +65 ml/min, respectively, with
Imax being 20 mA and Imin being 0 mA. (this is the default setting for this sensor). A measured current of 13 mA at the
current output is then converted to the actual flow rate as follows:
𝐹𝑙𝑜𝑤𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑒 = (13 mA − 0 mA) ⋅
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65 ml/min − (−65 ml/min)
+ (−65 ml/min) = 19.5 ml/min
20 mA − 0 mA
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1.2 Digital Open Drain Output
The digital output has only two logic states, high and low. Since the digital output is realized as an open drain (open
collector) circuit, a pull-up resistor has to be connected between digital output and an external voltage Vhigh, which serves
as the high-level voltage (see block diagram in Figure 6). The value of this high-level voltage may be chosen
independently or identical to the supply voltage in order to match the logic levels of the system.
The different modes of operation for the digital output are described below. By default, the digital output is disabled, i. e.
it is always low.
The mode of operation is configured using the configuration software. (See section 1.4 Configuration).
Flow Switch
In this mode, the digital output is low when the measured flow is outside a specified flow range, and high when inside.
This flow range is specified by two threshold values. Additionally, a hysteresis may be specified for each threshold value
(see Figure 2).
Figure 2: Flow Switch thresholds and definition of parameters.
When the flow switch mode is first enabled in the configurator, a lower threshold at 25% of the sensor’s maximum flow
rate with a hysteresis of +-5% of the set point is suggested and the upper threshold is set above the maximum flow rate.
Setting the upper threshold above the maximum flow rate is equivalent to disabling the upper threshold altogether.
Volume Counter
In this mode, the SCC1-Current cable’s internal electronics calculate the accumulated volume based on the flow rate
and every time a defined volume flows through the meter, a pulse is generated on the digital output. The total amount of
liquid which has flown through the meter can be determined by simply counting the pulses and multiplying by the defined
volume.
The liquid volume per output pulse and the duration of the output pulse can be configured.
The volume counter can be configured to ignore negative flow rates (flow in backward direction). If negative flow rates
are not ignored, these are subtracted from the internally calculated volume. In this case, no output pulses are generated
until the internal totalizer has again reached a positive value.
In order to reset the internal totalizer, the SCC1-Current cable should be switched off for 1000 ms by interrupting the
supply voltage.
When the Volume Counter is first enabled in the configurator, the suggested setting generates 0.5 ms long output pulses
with a frequency of approx. 250 Hz at the maximum flow rate of the attached sensor.
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1.3 Output Filter
Sensirion Liquid Flow sensors have a very fast response time and therefore react very quickly to changes in the flow
rate. In some application a low-pass filtering of the sensor output may be desired e.g. to ignore short excursions of the
flow rate above or below the switch thresholds. For this purpose, a moving average filter is available in the SCC1-Current
sensor cable. The filter is realized as moving average with a configurable time constant (2 milliseconds to 1 minute). The
moving average can be applied to the analog current output, to the digital open drain output signal, to both outputs or to
none of them. Figure 3, Figure 4, and Figure 5 show some examples of possible combinations and the resulting outputs
on an oscillating flow rate with some interruptions of the flow. Such noisy flow rates are typical for certain pump types.
The filter time constant and signal selection (filtered/unfiltered) for each output may be configured using the configuration
software. (See section 1.4 Configuration).
Example 1:
Filtered signal for the analog current output, unfiltered signal for the digital (switch) output.
Figure 3: Cable output with moving average filter on flow rate (green solid line) and switch output on unfiltered flow rate (green dashed line). The
black line shows the underlying unfiltered flow rate.
Example 2:
Filtered signal for both, analog current output and digital (switch output). Note the difference in the switching behavior
between Figure 3 and Figure 4: In Figure 3 (unfiltered signal) the switch output follows the short dips in the flow rate
immediately. In contrast, the switch output on the filtered signal (in Figure 4) is tolerant to such short excursions below
the switch level.
Figure 4: Cable output with moving average filter on flow rate (green solid line) and switch output on filtered flow rate (green dashed line). The
black line shows the underlying unfiltered flow rate.
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Example 3:
Unfiltered signal for the analog current output, filtered signal for the digital (switch) output. The analog current output
follows the flow rate immediately, including the high-frequency oscillations of the pump and the short drops in the flow
rate. On the other hand, the switch output on the filtered signal is tolerant to these short excursions below the switch
threshold.
Figure 5: Cable output with unfiltered flow rate (green solid line) and switch output on filtered flow rate (green dashed line). The black dashed line
shows the underlying filtered flow rate.
1.4 Configuration
The output configuration settings for the SCC1-Current sensor cable are stored in the memory of the flow meter, not in
the SCC1-Current sensor cable. The configuration is written to the flow meter’s memory using an SCC1-USB sensor
cable and the configurator software which is available on the Sensirion webpage. Once the flow meter is configured,
any SCC1-Current cable can be connected to the flow meter. The internal electronics in the cable will then read the
settings from the flow meter’s memory and start operation on power-up.
The necessary steps are summarized below:
1)
Connect the flow meter to a PC using the SCC1-USB sensor cable.
2)
Open the Analog Sensor Cable Configurator software. Write your settings. Note that the same configurator
software is also used for the SCC1-Analog 0-10V voltage output cable.
3)
Disconnect the flow meter from the SCC1-USB sensor cable and reconnect with the SCC1-Current sensor cable.
The SCC1-Current sensor cable will now read the output configuration from the flow meter and continuously
update the output as soon as it is powered up.
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2 Electrical Specifications
2.1 Electrical Characteristics
Default conditions of 25 °C and 24 V supply voltage apply to values in the table below, unless otherwise stated.
Parameter
Supply voltage
Power consumption
Symbol Conditions
VDD
VDD = 24 V, Iout = 20 mA,
Rload = 0 Ohm
Min
12
Analog current output
Analog current output
load resistor
Iout
Rload
-
0
0
Analog current output
accuracy
-
Iout = 0 mA
±10
±50
Iout = 20 mA
±20
±100
Analog current output
resolution
Digital open drain output Isink
sink current
Digital open drain output Rpull-up
pull-up resistor
Digital open drain output Vhigh
high-level voltage
Digital open drain output low-level voltage
Typ.
24
650
Max
36
24
Comment
Does not include power
dissipated in pull-up resistor of
the digital open drain output.
mA
Ohm Suitable load resistor depends
on supply voltage. Max.
1 kOhm for 24 V supply,
500 Ohm for 12 V supply.
Load resistor ≥ 80 Ohm
recommended.
µA
Accuracy of the digital-toanalog conversion in the
SCC1-Current sensor cable.
See the flow meter’s
µA
datasheet for the accuracy of
the flow meter.
µA
Nominal resolution of internal
DAC.
mA
Sink currents exceeding
30 mA may trigger the sensor
cable’s internal thermal fuse
resistor.
kOhm Pull-up resistor depends on
desired high-level and input
characteristics of read out
device.
V
600
mV
21
1000
5.2
15
Vhigh = 24 V
1.8
2.2
Rpull-up = 1.8 kOhm,
Vhigh = 24 V
Unit
V
mW
The low-level voltage depends
on the high-level voltage and
the value of the pull-up
resistor.
Table 1: Electrical specifications
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2.2 Absolute Maximum Ratings
Stress levels beyond those listed in Table 2 may cause permanent damage to the device. These are stress ratings only
and functional operation of the device at these conditions cannot be guaranteed. Exposure to the absolute maximum
rating conditions for extended periods may affect the reliability of the device.
Parameter
Supply voltage, VDD
Digital output high voltage, Vhigh
Operating temperature range1
Storage temperature range2
Rating
0 V to 40 V
0 V to 26.4 V
-25 °C to +80 °C (fixed installation)
-5 °C to +80 °C (moving installation)
-40 °C to +105 °C
Table 2: Absolute maximum ratings.
2.3 Wire Assignment
One side of the SCC1-Current is connected to the 4 Pin M8 connector of Sensirion’s liquid flow meters. The other side
has four wires: Two for power supply and one for each output (analog current and digital open drain output). The
outputs should be measured as indicated in the block diagram of Figure 6 and the wire assignment is stated in Table 3.
WARNING!
Incorrect connection may lead to permanent damage of the cable. Check the wire assignment carefully.
Wire
Blue
White
Brown
Black
Function
Supply voltage
Ground
Analog current output
Digital open drain output
Symbol
VDD
GND
Iout
Dout
Table 3: Wire assignment.
Operating temperature of the SCC1-Current sensor cable. See the flow meter’s datasheet for the operating temperature of the
flow meter.
2 The recommended storage temperature range is 10-50°C.
1
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2.4 Connection Diagram
A load resistor Rload should be placed between the current output (Iout) and GND. Typically, this load resistor is already
incorporated into the current-loop readout device. A load resistor between 80 Ohm and 500 Ohm is typical.
The voltage of the digital output (VDOut) should be measured with respect to GND, as indicated in the connection
diagram of Figure 6. Make sure that the ground of the power supply is connected to the reference voltage of the
readout device.
In order to use the digital open drain output, the Dout wire needs to be connected to the high voltage Vhigh by an
external pull-up resistor Rpull-up. The value of the pull-up resistor has to be chosen in accordance with the input
characteristics of the readout device. For a high-resistance device such as a volt meter a 10 kOhm pull-up resistor is
typically suitable. On some programmable logic controllers (PLCs) the digital inputs may have a low input resistance
and in such a case e.g. a 2.2 kOhm pull-up resistor should be used.
Figure 6: Internal block diagram of the SCC1-Current Sensor Cable and measurement setup.
2.5 Notes on Operation
The cable is in general not short-circuit proof and does not have inverse polarity protection. Incorrectly connecting the
cable may therefore cause damage to the cable.
Strong electrical interference on the short distance between the flow meter and the cable electronics may disturb the
digital communication between the cable and the sensor. Such interference should therefore be avoided.
If the SCC1-Current sensor cable is operated with a low load resistance Rload on the analog current output the cable
dissipates up to 700 mW power in the overmolded electronics. As a consequence, the cable may warm up by up to
25°C. In order to avoid heating up the flow sensor and thus adversely affecting the sensor measurement performance,
the cable bulge with the electronics should not be tied to the sensor housing.
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3 Mechanical Specifications
3.1 Dimensions
Approximate mechanical dimensions of the electronics overmold are shown in Figure 7, dimensions and specifications
of the cable are listed in Table 4.
Figure 7: Mechanical dimensions of electronics overmold.
Parameter
Length of cable on sensor side (including M8 connector)
Length of cable on pigtail end
Cable outer jacket diameter on pigtail end
Conductor cross section
Outer diameter of individual wires
Minimum bending radius3
Value
~10 cm
~490 cm
4.4 ± 0.2 mm
0.25 mm2 (24 AWG)
1.15 ± 0.05 mm
10x cable diameter
Table 4: Mechanical specifications
3.2 Materials
Part
Cable jacket
Wire insulation
Connector housing
Connector screw ring
Electronics overmold
Color code sleeve
Material
PUR
PP
PUR
POM
Polyamide hotmelt
Polychloroprene
Table 5: List of materials
4 Ordering Information
Product code
SCC1-Current 5m
Product description
SCC1-Current 0-20mA Sensor Cable 5m
24V DC, M8 Sensor Connector to Pigtail
Article number
1-101667-01
Table 6: Ordering Information
3
Bending radius of the cable. Avoid excessive and repetitive bending at the transition of the cable to the overmold.
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5 Important Notices
5.1 Warning, Personal Injury
Do not use this product as safety or emergency stop devices or in any other application where failure of the product could result in
personal injury. Do not use this product for applications other than its intended and authorized use. Before installing, handling, using or
servicing this product, please consult the data sheet and application notes. Failure to comply with these instructions could result in
death or serious injury.
If the Buyer shall purchase or use SENSIRION products for any unintended or unauthorized application, Buyer shall defend, indemnify and hold
harmless SENSIRION and its officers, employees, subsidiaries, affiliates and distributors against all claims, costs, damages and expenses, and
reasonable attorney fees arising out of, directly or indirectly, any claim of personal injury or death associated with such unintended or unauthorized
use, even if SENSIRION shall be allegedly negligent with respect to the design or the manufacture of the product.
5.2 ESD Precautions
The inherent design of this component causes it to be sensitive to electrostatic discharge (ESD). To prevent ESD-induced damage and/or
degradation, take customary and statutory ESD precautions when handling this product.
5.3 Warranty
SENSIRION warrants solely to the original purchaser of this product for a period of 12 months (one year) from the date of delivery that this product
shall be of the quality, material and workmanship defined in SENSIRION’s published specifications of the product. Within such period, if proven to
be defective, SENSIRION shall repair and/or replace this product, in SENSIRION’s discretion, free of charge to the Buyer, provided that:
▪ notice in writing describing the defects shall be given to SENSIRION within fourteen (14) days after their appearance;
▪ such defects shall be found, to SENSIRION’s reasonable satisfaction, to have arisen from SENSIRION’s faulty design, material, or workmanship;
▪ the defective product shall be returned to SENSIRION’s factory at the Buyer’s expense; and
▪ the warranty period for any repaired or replaced product shall be limited to the unexpired portion of the original period.
This warranty does not apply to any equipment which has not been installed and used within the specifications recommended by SENSIRION for
the intended and proper use of the equipment. EXCEPT FOR THE WARRANTIES EXPRESSLY SET FORTH HEREIN, SENSIRION MAKES NO
WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, WITH RESPECT TO THE PRODUCT. ANY AND ALL WARRANTIES, INCLUDING WITHOUT
LIMITATION, WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, ARE EXPRESSLY EXCLUDED AND
DECLINED.
SENSIRION is only liable for defects of this product arising under the conditions of operation provided for in the data sheet and proper use of the
goods. SENSIRION explicitly disclaims all warranties, express or implied, for any period during which the goods are operated or stored not in
accordance with the technical specifications.
SENSIRION does not assume any liability arising out of any application or use of any product or circuit and specifically disclaims any and all liability,
including without limitation consequential or incidental damages. All operating parameters, including without limitation recommended parameters,
must be validated for each customer’s applications by customer’s technical experts. Recommended parameters can and do vary in different
applications.
SENSIRION reserves the right, without further notice, (i) to change the product specifications and/or the information in this document and (ii) to
improve reliability, functions and design of this product.
Copyright© 2017, by SENSIRION.
CMOSens® is a trademark of Sensirion
All rights reserved
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6 Revision History
Date
09. Oct 2017
Version
1
Page(s)
all
Changes
Initial release
7 Headquarters and Subsidiaries
Sensirion AG
Laubisruetistr. 50
CH-8712 Staefa ZH
Switzerland
Sensirion Inc., USA
phone: +1 312 690 5858
info-us@sensirion.com
www.sensirion.com
Sensirion Korea Co. Ltd.
phone: +82 31 337 7700~3
info-kr@sensirion.com
www.sensirion.co.kr
phone: +41 44 306 40 00
fax:
+41 44 306 40 30
info@sensirion.com
www.sensirion.com
Sensirion Japan Co. Ltd.
phone: +81 3 3444 4940
info-jp@sensirion.com
www.sensirion.co.jp
Sensirion China Co. Ltd.
phone: +86 755 8252 1501
info-cn@sensirion.com
www.sensirion.com.cn
Sensirion Taiwan Co. Ltd
phone: +886 3 5506701
info@sensirion.com
www.sensirion.com
To find your local representative, please visit www.sensirion.com/distributors
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