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A process transmitter typically ”measures” a process variable – flow, level, temperature, pressure - and produces an output in response to changes in the input variable. Most transmitters incorporates a sensor which measures the input variable and gives out an output of which 4 – 20m A is common.
Of critical importance in the performance of a transmitter is a concept called damping. As the input variable changes, the transmitter output must update and change accordingly. Damping is the amount of time required, in addition to the update time, for the output of the transmitter to reach 63.2% of its final value after a step change has been applied to the input. A typical damping response curve of a process transmitter is shown below:
Transmitter damping is adjustable from 1 to 32 seconds. Damping reduces the effects of electrical noise and any other insignificant transient noise that may influence the transmitter output signal. It is often used to stabilize control loops and prevent false trips. In the absence of electrical or transient noise, damping may not be required in processes that are slow and have inherent lag time e.g temperature control loops. Damping should be minimized in fast changing process conditions.
