Fast Flow Rate Counting: The DI 169

The digital input module DI 169 is used for counting flow rates. Applications for the S-DIAS module include for example, to monitor energy usage of electricity, water, gas or heat volumes. The DI 169 has a so-called S0 interface, over which all commercial energy meters can be connected.

 

On only 12.5 x 104 x 72 mm (W x H x D), 16 digital counter inputs are integrated for open collector outputs. This enables fast pulse counting (count frequency up to 1 kHz). The channels can be used optionally as ground switching inputs or event counters. When used as a counter input, 3 modes are available to choose from: normal mode, single and four-edge evaluation.

 

In the standard counter mode (16 channels), a separate direction – forwards or backwards – can be selected. With a single edge analysis, the counter counts up or down with each rising signal edge. With 4-edge evaluation, the falling edge is also recorded. For the 1 and 4-edge analysis, 2 inputs are combined for one channel. The count direction can be configured in the software. The 8-bit counter can be used to count up or down. In the process map, it is expanded to a 32-bit counter.