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How to Use DC 4-20mA Current Transmitter in Environment

News | company news | Oct 07,2025

In environmental protection projects (sewage, waste gas, solid waste, photovoltaic energy storage grid connection, etc.), reliably transmitting current signals from equipment such as fans, pumps, dosing, heating, and oxidation to PLC/SCADA systems is the first step to ensuring energy conservation , stability, safety , and operational maintenance .

The HEYI Electric KCT-L series is designed for this purpose : open-type, Hall effect principle, DC 4–20 mA, single-shuttle current measurement, capable of measuring AC/DC/pulse currents, and providing sufficient isolation to minimize downtime for retrofits.

What is a KCT-L DC 4-20mA current transmitter

HEYI’s open-type (detachable) open-loop Hall effect current sensor:

The primary and secondary sides are fully electrically isolated, providing high safety and easy wiring . Test data indicates an insulation withstand voltage of 5 kV/1 minute (50 Hz).

The signal terminal is an industrial-friendly DC 4–20 mA with a zero point of 4 ± 0.1 mA. It outputs linearly with AC/DC/pulse current and can be adapted to the analog input of any PLC/host computer.

The power supply is optional , 12V or 24V , which is fully compatible with common distribution boxes and grounding boxes at environmental protection sites .

Model and range:

KCT-16L/24L/36L three opening sizes, with a variety of ranges from 50 A to 600 A to choose from, covering fan pump rooms to small and medium-sized busbars.

HEYI products have excellent indicators :

high precision/good linearity, low temperature drift, fast response, strong anti-interference, and strong overload capacity – these are hard indicators for complex working conditions (such as inverter PWM and strong electromagnetic interference).

How to Use DC 4-20mA Current Transmitter in Environment-heyi

Supports customization (OEM):

Different rated input/output specifications can be made. This is very critical for power project construction .

In terms of environmental protection, what are some typical application scenarios

(1) Sewage treatment plant: blower/lift pump/return pump

Use current to observe the load: pipe blockage, impeller scaling, aeration head loss, the current will “speak first”; connect the DC 4-20 mA to the PLC for interlocking/early warning.

Not afraid of variable frequency: The Hall solution can also measure non-sinusoidal waves and pulse currents output by VFDs, enabling earlier diagnosis.

(2) Waste gas treatment: RTO/activated carbon/scrubber fan

“Unstable air volume” = Look at the current curve: if the filter element is clogged or the valve position is abnormal, the current will slowly increase; use the current trend to trigger “check first, then shut down” to reduce emergency response.

Strong interference field: The split design of KCT-L 4-20mA current transmitter gives it excellent isolation + anti-interference properties , the signal will hardly be affected , and there is no need to add isolators everywhere.

(3) Desulfurization, denitrification and dust removal: applications of circulating pumps, induced draft fans, ash hopper equipment, etc.

Energy efficiency closed loop: Map current to load factor and formulate energy-saving strategies for DCS/SCADA;

Excellent environmental adaptability : HEYI KCT-L 4-20mA current transmitter covers an operating temperature range of -40 to +85°C and can also be used in outdoor cabinets.

(4) Ozone/UV/heating system

Checking health: When the power supply or module degrades, the current will first deviate;

Fast response to leakage : millisecond- level response allows for efficient fault removal.

(5) New energy grid connection and park-side energy management

Photovoltaic/DC bus: The KCT-L 4-20mA current transmitter is directly targeted at “PV new energy” and “grid monitoring”, and is DC/AC/pulse compatible, making it perfectly suitable for branch monitoring and bus protection .

How to connect the KCT-L 4-20mA current transmitter at the construction site 

Threading: Only thread one conductor to be measured (phase line/busbar), and do not thread the round-trip lines of the same circuit together, otherwise the magnetic flux will cancel out and no reading can be made.

Power supply: connect to +12/24V and GND;

Signal: Iout (4–20mA) enters the PLC/acquisition module analog input, and the common terminal is connected to GND.

Note : Wrong wiring may damage the sensor. Please check the terminal definition again before connection (common markings: 1:+24V, 2:GND, 3:Iout, 4:GND).

Pay attention to these 5 points in product appearance

How to Use DC 4-20mA Current Transmitter in Environment-heyi

Customization of different products

Opening size: 16L/24L/36L. Select according to the cable/busbar. It is best if it can pass through without being loose.

Range: 1.2–2.0 times the typical operating current of the device (to provide margin without sacrificing resolution).

Output/power supply:

Default is 4–20mA, 12/24 V. If the system requires 0–5 V/0–10 V or a special connector, OEM customization is the most worry-free.

Environment and interference:

The product’s built-in isolation/anti-interference features can cover most VFD sites; keep as much distance as possible from high-power contactors and magnetic components.

Dynamic requirements:

For transient/pulse working conditions, take advantage of its fast response and stop relying on “after-the-fact alarms”.

How to make OEM customization requirements more efficient?

Let’s make the “three-piece set” clear at once:1

Primary side: cable/busbar size, typical/peak current, AC or DC/pulse;
(2) Secondary side:

signal standard (4–20mA or voltage/switch), connector type, cable length;
(3) Installation:

opening/guide rail/clamp, installation space restrictions, whether logo/inkjet printing is required.

The KCT-L 4-20mA current transmitter natively supports “customization of different rated inputs and outputs”, with low processing and communication costs and fast delivery.

Visible value after launch

Energy efficiency:

Use current × voltage × power factor to estimate power/power consumption, forming a “kWh per cubic meter of air volume/per ton of water” graph, and energy savings are visible to the naked eye.

Reliability:

“Current alarm first” before the rotating equipment fails, providing early warning to avoid sudden shutdown events .

Compliance and traceability:

All DC 4–20mA standard signals can be recorded in the SCADA historical database, and annual inspections and third-party assessments can be verified with data.

Easy maintenance and operation :

open structure, less downtime for maintenance or adding or modifying points, which is very critical to the KPI of environmental protection projects.

Summarize

The KCT-L current transmitter is a lightweight solution for converting current into useful data in environmental protection scenarios:

quick installation, smooth connection, accurate measurement, and interference resistance.

It offers direct standard 4–20mA operation and customizable OEM options, enabling simultaneous monitoring of equipment status, improved energy efficiency, and safety .

Compay:HEYI Electrical Co., Ltd.

Brand: HEYI/ASCT

Contact: Bethy

E-mail: heyi@heyiele.com             

Tel: 86-13968747975

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