 in electrical signalling an analog current loop is used where a device must be monitored or controlled remotely over a pair of conductors. only one current level can be present at any time. given its analog nature, current loops are easier to understand and debug than more complicated digital fieldbuses, requiring only a handheld digital multimeter in most situations. using fieldbuses and solving related problems usually requires much more education and understanding than required by simple current loop systems. additional digital communication to the device can be added to current loop using hart protocol. digital process buses such as foundation fieldbus and profibus may replace analog current loops. == process-control use == for industrial process control instruments, analog 4â20&nbsp;ma and 10â50&nbsp;ma current loops are commonly used for analog signaling, with 4&nbsp;ma representing the lowest end of the range and 20&nbsp;ma the highest. the key advantages of the current loop are that the accuracy of the signal is not affected by voltage drop in the interconnecting wiring, and that the loop can supply operating power to the device. even if there is significant electrical resistance in the line, the current loop transmitter will maintain the proper current, up to its maximum voltage capability. the live-zero represented by 4&nbsp;ma allows the receiving instrument to detect some failures of the loop, and also allows transmitter devices to be powered by the same current loop (called two-wire transmitters). such instruments are used to measure pressure, temperature, level, flow, ph or other process variables. a current loop can also be used to control a valve positioner or other output actuator. an analog current loop can be converted to a voltage input with a precision resistor. since input terminals of instruments may have one side of the current loop input tied to the chassis ground (earth), analog isolators may be required when connecting several instruments in series. depending on the source of current for the loop, devices may be classified as active (supplying power) or passive (relying on loop power). for example, a chart recorder may provide loop power to a pressure transmitter. the pressure transmitter modulates the current on the loop to send the signal to the strip chart recorder, but does not in itself supply power to the loop and so is passive. (a 4-wire instrument has a power supply input separate from the current loop.) another loop may contain two passive chart recorders, a passive pressure transmitter, and a 24 v battery. (the battery is the active device). panel
Communication_circuits Electronics_standards