Device Showcase: PM10 and PM20 are Programmable Panel Meters for Various Needs

In the Device Showcase article series, we present one of the measuring devices we manufacture at a time – this time featuring the PM10 and PM20 panel meters! We explain what the device measures, what makes it unique, and most importantly – how it makes your daily life easier, one measurement at a time.

PM10 and PM20 panel meters

The PM10 and PM20 panel meters are developed for local measurement and monitoring needs across various industries. They can be used for anything from small measurement tasks to extensive measurement processing.

The PM10 and PM20 are suitable for measurement purposes where investing in complete control systems is not desired. These devices are programmable and come with a wide range of cards, enabling flexible measurement solutions for different applications. The front panels of both devices have an IP65 rating.

Examples of measurable/displayable quantities:

• Milliampere (mA)
• Voltage (V)
• Pt100
• Thermocouples
• Potentiometers
• Serial communication readings
• Piece counts
• Clock
• Totalizer
• Displaying (scrolling) text

Programmability

PM10/20 measuring devices can be configured with up to 8 input channels (PM10) or up to 18 input channels (PM20) or combinations of different input/output channels due to several additional card slots. A script-based program allows for free coding in ELO language, utilizing mathematical functions either for specific channels or between them.

Applications

Panel meters are useful in various industries such as heating equipment, HVAC systems, and flow measurements. For example, in monitoring heating equipment, the panel meter can measure the liquid temperature to ensure even heat distribution, and in HVAC, it can ensure optimal heat recovery.

Examples of applications:

• Time-based operations
• Dispensing
• Counting
• Tare
• Displaying the time
• Differential measurements between channels
• Temperature measurement: a multicolor display can show, for example, too hot temperatures in red
• Flow measurement
• Mass flow
• Output messages: milliampere and serial communication output messages
• Alarms: the display color can change and blink in case of an alarm

Differences between PM10 and PM20

PM10 and PM20 differ in display size and the number of card slots. The PM20 has three rows and 10 card slots, while the PM10 has one row and 5 card slots. Additionally, the devices support various option cards, such as alarm relays, output message cards, and universal input cards.

Distinct device cases:

• PM10 (product code: 96960): Device case that includes the enclosure and display, USB connection, and five card slots. Size: 48×96 mm.
• PM20 (product code: 97476): Device case that includes the enclosure and three-row display, USB connection, and 10 card slots. Size: 96×96 mm.

Common features in both panel meters:

• PM10REL2A (product code: 96963): Alarm relay with two changeover relays, galvanic isolation. Includes selection of operation mode, i.e., can be set to operate as either pull-in or drop-out. 1A/230V.
• PM10OUT2A (product code: 96962): Output message card providing 2 output messages, milliampere, or voltage output. Galvanic isolation from other cards, but no galvanic isolation between channels.
• PM10POW24SA (product code: 96965): Power card with 24V input. RS485 Modbus serial communication, I/O input.
• PM10UNI2A (product code: 96961): Dual-channel universal input card. Note: no galvanic isolation between channels. Galvanic isolation from other cards, but no galvanic isolation between channels.

Advantages of PM10/20 – Achieve multiple meter functions with one device

You can display multiple measurement results locally with a single measuring device, saving the space of several different meters. PM10/20 panel meters can also be configured and programmed in various ways to suit each specific need.

Connectivity

PM10/20 panel meters operate independently without other devices, but their measurement data can also be transferred to cloud services or other systems using the RS485 bus interface found on the standard power card.