DIGITAL PANEL METERS provide an indication of machine and process conditions, but also contain a host of added functions. Of course, these added functions aren't free, adding not only cost but also varying degrees of complexity. That's why it sometimes makes sense to use an analog panel meter. "Analog panel meters are a low-cost solution to provide a visual cue if the machine or process is operating as expected within a given range," says Greg Hendry, product manager for the meter and instruments division at Yokogawa Corp. of America (www.yokogawa-usa.com). "Analog meters don't require external power, as they are powered from the input signal. A typical analog panel meter has an accuracy of ±2%. Common input signals are ac or dc amps or volts, with custom scales possible." Application examples, Hendry adds, would be to use the input frequency of an ac input signal to indicate ac frequency, or as a time meter.
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