Skip to content
Contact

DALI · How-to guides

Set up an analog channel

Configure an analog input for a voltage, current, millivolt or PT100/PT1000 sensor, and log it as a parameter.

Goal: an analog input reads your sensor in its real units, and the value is logged as a parameter.

Before you start

  • You need the Admin role.
  • The sensor's output: its signal type and range (for example 4 to 20 mA) and the measured values at each end (for example 0 to 100 %).
  • For a pyranometer on a millivolt input: its sensitivity from the calibration certificate, in microvolts per W/m².
  • The sensor wired to the channel's terminals. A millivolt input uses an even-numbered channel and the one next to it.

Steps

  1. 1

    Open the channel. Go to Analog and digital, Analog Channels tab, and click Edit on the channel.

  2. 2

    Choose the input type. Pick Input Type, for example Voltage (0 to 5 V), Current (0 to 20 mA), mVolt (0 to 100 mV), PT100 or PT1000. The default ranges for that type fill in.

  3. 3

    Enter the ranges. Set Sensor Output Range (Min, Max) to the signal the sensor gives, for example 4 and 20, and Measurement Range (Min, Max) to the values they mean, for example 0 and 100. The form shows the calculated Scaling and Offset below.

    • For mVolt, choose Sensor Type. With Pyranometer, enter the Sensitivity instead of ranges.
    • For PT100 and PT1000, there are no ranges: the station converts resistance to temperature itself.
  4. 4

    Save and enable. Click Save. In the table, make sure the channel's button shows Enabled; click it if it shows Disabled.

  5. 5

    Create the parameter. On Parameters, click + Add Parameter, set Type to Analog Channel, pick the Channel Number, and give it a name and unit. Click Save Parameter.

Check it worked

The parameter shows a sensible live value on the Dashboard. Check it against a known reading if you can.

If something goes wrong

  • mVolt input is only available on even-numbered analog channels. Move the sensor to an even-numbered channel.
  • Please select a sensor type. Choose Pyranometer or Other for an mVolt input.
  • The value is off by a constant or a factor. Check both ranges against the sensor's data sheet.
  • You want to start over. Reset All to Default puts every analog channel back to its factory settings, after you confirm.

For digital inputs such as rain gauges, use the Digital Channels tab: set Input Type to Counter, choose the Signal Edge, and set Scaling to the amount per pulse.