The ALA5 operates on a 2-wire 4-30mA current loop, is reverse polarity protected, and is easy to calibrate via gain and offset trimmers. The supply voltage range is 9 to 24V DC, and the unit will operate with strain gauge bridges of from 350 to 5,000 ohms, with bridge sensitivities of 0.5 to 55 mV/V. The amplifier, which is in a robust sealed stainless steel hosuing, can be connected to ATEX approved equipment within the hazardous zone or to non-approved ATEX equipment outside the hazardous zone provided that a suitable safety barrier is used.
An OEM version of the amplifier is available, the ICA5ATEX, a disk of 19,5mm diameterand 7.6mm height, which may be incorporated within sensors.
Roy Carter of Celsum Technologies, observed, The ALA5 is a welcome addition to our range of strain gauge conditioning electronics. It has applications over a wide area, from oil rigs, paint, food and pharmaceutical factories, explosives plants, in aerospace and defence projects, and for research and development rigs.