{PART 3}

BACK TO
BASICS:
Loop vs Line Power
 {PART 3}
BACK TO
BASICS:
Loop vs Line Power

The previous article in this series to function from a power supply that is connection except that the isolation just
discussed loop-powered, or two-wire, separate (but not necessarily isolated) discussed is not present; a three-wire
devices. These instruments utilize from the current loop. These devices device does not float in comparison
the power supplied to the current cannot be loop-powered. to the current loop. In a three-wire
loop to power themselves. A two-wire connection, the process signal return
connection may not always be the most A four-wire connection uses the from the device and the common of the
optimal power solution because of its current loop as a means to transmit power supply are a shared connection.
inability to power devices that require the 4-20 mA process signal only. This
a large voltage drop. Three and four- type of connection will not draw the
wire devices incorporate an external
power supply in order to effectively
power it needs from the current loop. It
will create a voltage drop on the loop,
Understanding the
eliminate the voltage drop placed on
the process signal current loop. It is
but this is minimal when compared to
that of a loop-powered device. The
Pros and Cons
power four-wire devices need is instead
important to understand the differences
provided by an external power supply. 2-Wire Pros and Cons
between these three setups as they are
fundamentally different and each has its This can be either an alternating or Recalling the advantages of two-
own advantages as well as limitations. direct current power supply because wire connections from the previous
the device is powered independently article, you will remember that they are
from the direct current loop. 24 VAC simple to setup, lower cost, commonly
or VDC supplies are common, as are feature hazardous area approvals, and
Defining 2, 3, and 4 120 or 240 VAC. It all depends on the do not require local power. On the other
specifications of the device. hand, they have very limited features
Wire Connections due to the limited amount of power they
Isolated four-wire connected can draw from the current loop. Three
All devices in a 4-20 mA current devices “float” within the current loop. and four-wire devices have their own
loop need to be supplied power from This means that the common, or the set of pros and cons which must always
somewhere in order to function. Two- return process signal wire from the be taken into account when attempting
wire devices receive their power from device does not connect to the power to determine the best solution for a
the process signal loop itself. The supply ground. As may be apparent process control environment.
power for the loop usually comes from from the name “four-wire,” two wires
the transmitter power supply or some connect the power supply to the device
other kind of external power supply, and and two wires connect the process 4-Wire Pros and Cons
all of the power for the system travels signal to the device. Isolation, therefore,
through the wires that also carry the is built into the system. There is no Because four-wire devices
signal. Since this setup only requires electrical connection between the power are externally powered, they can
two wires, loop-powered instruments supply and the process signal. accommodate a lot more energy
are also referred to as two-wire devices. intensive features such as mechanical
Three and four-wire devices, by A three-wire connection is relays, bright LED displays, advanced
contrast, receive the power they require essentially the same as a four-wire serial communications such as

2
Modbus®, and powered outputs, Four-wire connections also
among other things. Four-wire have fewer options when it comes
connections can be easier to to hazardous areas. The high power
understand because there is no need requirements alone make Intrinsic
to worry about voltage drop across Safety (I.S.) and Non-incendive (N.I.)
the current loop. A four-wire device approvals exceedingly rare. In order
can be powered by simply plugging it
into a wall outlet or some sort of DC
for a four-wire device to be suitable
for use in a hazardous area, it often
Wiring Examples
power supply such as a battery. needs to be enclosed in an explosion-
proof enclosure which, though

Because
effective, might not always be the
best possible option. Wire 1
four-wire devices
3-Wire Pros and Cons
are externally Three-wire devices are
powered, they can commonly found to be lower cost
than four-wire primarily because
accommodate a lot they do not feature isolation. They
can also be slightly easier to install
more energy intensive because they require less wire and,
in the case where wire needs to be
features... run through conduit, this wire can
Wire 2
often be run along the same channels
As mentioned, four-wire devices because they are already electrically
often have excellent built in signal connected. Moreover, many of the 2-Wire Connections
isolation. In a device with power-to- same benefits of four-wire devices
signal isolation, the current signal and mentioned above also apply to
the power supply utilize completely three-wire, such as the availability of
mechanical relays, advanced serial Wire 3
separate wires. This can make
setup and maintenance a whole lot communication, powered outputs, etc.
easier when dealing with complex
In contrast to four-wire, three-
4-20 mA signal networks (featuring
multiple 4-20 mA process variables
wire devices do not feature isolation Wire 1
because of the fact that the power
over multiple loops) or if there is a lot
supply common and the process
of electronic noise from the power
signal return share the same wire.
supply.
When dealing with complex 4-20 mA
Four-wire connections, as signal networks, an installer must be Wire 2
opposed to two-wire connections, very careful while wiring the devices
require a separate power supply to avoid crossing current paths.
for the device, which can be Any grounds, commons or returns Wire 4
that cross paths with the process
4-Wire Connections
disadvantageous depending on the
availability of power. Generally they signal loop will cause current to
are more expensive as they require travel into different circuits and the
an internal power supply circuit to process signal will no longer provide
predictable, usable current values.
handle the external power they are Wire 2
receiving and generally feature more
Three wire devices cannot be
expensive components.
powered by an alternating current
The amount of wire needed (AC) power supply. Four-wire devices
to connect four-wire devices can can be powered via AC current, such
as that available from a wall outlet,
become a problem for installers, Wire 1
especially in hazardous areas where because the connection powering the
all of that wire would need to run device is completely separate from
through conduit. This can also make the connection to the process signal.
maintenance and troubleshooting Three-wire devices do not feature this
more difficult down the road, requiring isolation, so all of the power in the
evaluation and repair of nearly double system must be direct current (DC),
just like the process signal loop. Wire 3
the circuitry compared to a similar
two-wire system.
3-Wire Connections

3
 Things to Remember
Devices which transmit and/or
receive information over a current loop
are connected with either two, three or
4-wire or 3-wire require a separate power supply four wires. Part two, The Fundamentals
of Loop-Powered Devices, explored
how two-wire, or loop-powered, devices
3-wire works – be aware of isolation requirements first receive their power from the 4-20 mA
process signal loop connected to the
device. This is possible because current
is the same throughout the loop, so
2-wire – be aware of voltage drops voltage drops caused by loop-powered
devices do not affect the current signal.
Loop-powered devices are simple,
Costs increase as more wires are used easy to wire and use very little power.
However, it is important to be aware of
the limitations of loop-powered devices
such as the unavailability of relays,
Some devices are not available as 2-wire LED displays, or advanced serial
communications.

Three and four-wire devices, unlike

two-wire, utilize an external power
supply which allows them to feature
much more advanced components
such as brighter LED displays and
Choosing the Right account. Four-wire devices are easier to
connect because of the built in isolation, advanced output options. Four-wire
devices also frequently feature built in
Wiring for your but external power requirements must
be taken into account. power supply isolation. Three and four-
wire devices might not always be the
Application As a general rule of thumb when appropriate option, however, if running
it comes to cost of process control additional power is infeasible or they
At the core of this topic are a few need to operate in a hazardous area
devices, think of two-wire devices being
essential factors which need to be taken the least expensive, three-wire being with Intrinsic Safety or Non-incendive
into consideration when deciding on in the middle, and four-wire devices as approvals.
the right choice for a process control the most expensive. Some devices and
environment. Remember that three and A device installer must be able
device features are just not available as
four-wire devices will always require a to pay attention to the specifications
two-wire, however, because of inherent
power supply that is separate from the relevant to their particular process
power consumption requirements.
process signal loop, though this does control environment in order to avoid
not inherently imply isolation. Two-wire problems with their specific control
devices are powered by the current loop system. Maintenance personnel
itself and do not require an external Back to Basics: should know how the environment is
power supply. setup, and what that means in terms

Although there were many cons

Series Summary of electrical connectivity, in order to
properly maintain and troubleshoot
mentioned in regard to three-wire As discussed in the first part of this existing process control networks.
connections, remember that they series, The Fundamentals of 4-20 mA Knowing the fundamentals of the 4-20
do work and they are a valid option Current Loops, the 4-20 mA current mA current loop standard and means by
when power supply isolation is not a loop is the dominant process control which devices connect to current loop
concern. They are often cheaper than signal standard in many industries networks can go a long way towards
four-wire devices, which is a definite which require process control. The fact being able to make more informed
plus; however, the installer needs to that the current will not change from decisions about process control in your
understand what they are doing and the time it leaves the transmitter to facility.
know the implications of crossing when it reaches the receiver makes it
current loops. an ideal means for transferring process
information. It is also much simpler and
Four and two-wire devices can cost effective than other process control by Simon Paonessa - Technical Writer
be easier to connect than three-wire, protocols. However, voltage drops and Precision Digital Corporation
though both for different reasons. number of process variables that need
Two-wire devices are easier because to be monitored can have an impact on
there are less connections to make, the cost and complexity of implementing
but voltage drop must be taken into this standard.