What is the standard electronic output range commonly used in instrumentation?

The standard electronic output range commonly used in instrumentation is 4 to 20 mA DC. This current loop method is favored in industrial settings for several reasons.

The range starts at 4 mA instead of 0 mA to provide a clear indication of a fault condition. If the signal drops to 0 mA, it indicates an issue such as a broken wire or a malfunctioning sensor. This design ensures that the integrity of the signal can be monitored, which is crucial for reliable instrumentation in water distribution systems and other applications.

Additionally, the use of current rather than voltage for signal transmission helps minimize the effects of resistance in the wiring, making it suitable for longer distances without significant signal degradation. This is particularly important in large installations where sensors may be located far from the monitoring equipment.

The other ranges mentioned, although they are utilized in certain applications, do not provide the same level of fault detection and robustness as the 4 to 20 mA standard. For instance, while 0 to 10 V DC and 0 to 5 V DC are common in some electronic applications, they generally do not provide the same reliability over longer transmission distances. Meanwhile, 1 to 7 mA DC is not a standard range for