
Connecting Signals
4-15
The upper two circuits of the diagram illustrate floating signal source
connections. (A floating signal source is a voltage source that has no
connection with earth ground; the signal is not referenced to the third wire
on a 3-wire AC line outlet.) Floating signal sources require the addition of
resistors to provide a bias current return. You can determine the value of
the bias return resistors (R
b
) from the value of the source resistance (R
s
),
using the following relationships:
●
When R
s
is greater than 100
Ω
, use the connections in the upper
circuit. The resistance of each of the two bias return resistors must
equal 2000 R
s
.
●
When R
s
is less than 100
Ω
, use the connections in the middle circuit.
The resistance of the bias return resistor must be greater than 1000
R
s
.
In the lower circuit of Figure 4-13, bias current return is inherently
provided by the source. The circuit requires no bias resistors. R
s
is the
signal source resistance while R
v
is the resistance required to balance the
bridge.
Avoiding a Ground Loop Problem
If your signal source is grounded, the signal-source ground and the
DAS-1800ST/HR Series board ground may not be at the same voltage
level because of the distances between equipment wiring and the building
wiring. In this situation, ground loop problems can occur if you tie the
two grounds together and the two grounds are not at the same potential.
The difference in potential is referred to as a
common-mode voltage
(V
cm
)
because it is normally common to both sides of a differential input (it
appears between each side and ground).
The most effective way to avoid common-mode voltage errors for
single-ended inputs is to wire the inputs as shown in Figure 4-12 on page
4-13, using the U_CM MD input.
Since a differential input responds only to the difference in the signals at
its high and low inputs, its common-mode voltages cancel out and leave
only the signal. However, if your input connections create a ground loop,
you could see incorrect data readings resulting from the difference
between the signal source’s ground potential and the DAS-1800ST/HR
Series board’s ground.
Artisan Scientific - Quality Instrumentation ... Guaranteed | (888) 88-SOURCE | www.artisan-scientific.com
Artisan Technology Group - Quality Instrumentation ... Guaranteed | (888) 88-SOURCE | www.artisantg.com