voltage to current converter

Thread Starter

Jim_2.0

Joined May 14, 2006
51
Hi Guys

wondering if anyone can help me with a basic circuit. I need a reliable and accurate voltage to current converter, to take in 0-5V and output 4-20mA. I have tried the traditional howland circuits, but having to many issue, im not too great on the electronics side of things. Can anyone suggest a suitable circuit, or any resources? Any help much appreciated.
 

Papabravo

Joined Feb 24, 2006
21,159
Originally posted by Jim_2.0@May 14 2006, 08:53 PM
Hi Guys

wondering if anyone can help me with a basic circuit. I need a reliable and accurate voltage to current converter, to take in 0-5V and output 4-20mA. I have tried the traditional howland circuits, but having to many issue, im not too great on the electronics side of things. Can anyone suggest a suitable circuit, or any resources? Any help much appreciated.
[post=17093]Quoted post[/post]​
Try the following link to Analog Devices. You may have to use a gain stage to convert 0-5 into one of its input ranges but this should get you started

Analog Devices Current Loop Transmitter
 

hgmjr

Joined Jan 28, 2005
9,027
Originally posted by Jim_2.0@May 14 2006, 07:53 PM
Hi Guys

wondering if anyone can help me with a basic circuit. I need a reliable and accurate voltage to current converter, to take in 0-5V and output 4-20mA. I have tried the traditional howland circuits, but having to many issue, im not too great on the electronics side of things. Can anyone suggest a suitable circuit, or any resources? Any help much appreciated.
[post=17093]Quoted post[/post]​
Greetings Jim_2.0,

In case you are interested in a typical technique for voltage to current conversion, you may benefit from reading the information that is available in the tutorials on this website.

For your convenience I have included a link to the specific section on this topic. It may also help you to better understand the technique by reviewing some of the material on operational amplifiers since these devices are frequently used as the basis for voltage to current conversion.

Basic V-to-I description

I'm sure one of our members can assist you with any followup questions you may have.

hgmjr
 

thingmaker3

Joined May 16, 2005
5,083
Depends on whether one defines current as "a flow of moving electrons" or as "a flow of positive test charge carrier from source anode to source cathode."
 

n9352527

Joined Oct 14, 2005
1,198
Originally posted by thingmaker3@May 16 2006, 01:06 PM
Depends on whether one defines current as "a flow of moving electrons" or as "a flow of positive test charge carrier from source anode to source cathode."
[post=17144]Quoted post[/post]​
Yeah true. I guess the site uses electron flow notation throughout.
 

hgmjr

Joined Jan 28, 2005
9,027
Originally posted by n9352527@May 16 2006, 05:25 AM
hgmjr, do you think the current designator arrows on that page should point the other way around or not? Or am I having one of those days?
[post=17142]Quoted post[/post]​
n9352527,

Well spotted. Like you, I have always considered current to move through a load (in this case Rload) from the positive most terminal (in this case the opamp's output) to the more negative terminal (in this case the opamp's minus input). Thingmaker3 has stated the two conventions that are out there. The main thing is to pick one convention and use it consistently.

hgmjr
 
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