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I'm a beginner with electronics, so everything has to be explained in simple terms to me.

I have an Arduino with a program which provides a value via the Analog output, so that is anything from 0-5 V.

On the other side, I have a VFD with an IO card which allows it to connect to a 4-20 mA current loop, to vary the speed of the motor accordingly.

How do I convert from, let's say, 0-5 V output (PWM) from Arduino, to the 4-20 mA in a somewhat cheap and safe way (I don't want to destroy the VFD [and possibly the Arduino])?

Currently, I am using the circuit below:

The problem is that the simulation on "Multisim" is giving accurate results. However practically, the circuit did not give the accurate results.

For example:

  • When V = 5 V output (from Arduino analog), I = 20 mA (V=IR) --> which is correct
  • But, when V = 3.3 V output (from Arduino analog), I = 16 mA (V=IR)--> which is incorrect, as it should be 13 mA

Will this circuit work practically

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  • \$\begingroup\$ If V = 3.3 volts then Iout should be 14.56 mA. I don't know how you got 13 mA. OK you assumed that 1 volts = 4 mA rather than 0 volts is 4 mA. You need to decide this. \$\endgroup\$
    – Andy aka
    Commented May 25, 2020 at 11:29
  • \$\begingroup\$ How it is 14.56mA? Plz Explain \$\endgroup\$
    – usman shah
    Commented May 25, 2020 at 12:26
  • \$\begingroup\$ 0 volts maps to 4 mA and 5 volts maps to 20 mA plus a straight-line graph. \$\endgroup\$
    – Andy aka
    Commented May 25, 2020 at 12:29
  • \$\begingroup\$ Oh! I got it.Thanks \$\endgroup\$
    – usman shah
    Commented May 25, 2020 at 12:34
  • \$\begingroup\$ FOR 1-5V to 0-20mA: I am very confused! When I use 3.3V ouput from Arduino Nano Power Pin--> Iout=13mA (which is ok). But,When I use 3.3V ouput from Arduino Nano Analog pin(PWM)--> Iout=16mA (I can't understand this value). At 2.5V output from Arduino Nano Analog Pin--> Iout=13.7mA. Is seems their is a problem using Analog pins of arduino nano.?? \$\endgroup\$
    – usman shah
    Commented May 25, 2020 at 13:19

1 Answer 1

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It will only work practically if the supply ground is isolated and an op-amp is used that is "single supply" such as an LM358. You could use the LM741 if you added a negative supply, such as -5V but that would be a lot of trouble to use an obsolete part. Using a more negative supply than -6V or so would expose Q2 to damage if the inverse Vbe rating is not high enough.

So you feed 5V from the PWM for 20mA (100% PWM) and 20% PWM (1V) for 4mA.

Maximum load resistance is about (12V-5.2V)/0.02A = 340 ohms to allow a full 20mA out.

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  • \$\begingroup\$ Obviously you need to low-pass filter the PWM to be sure it will work properly. \$\endgroup\$ Commented May 25, 2020 at 12:18
  • \$\begingroup\$ what value of C and R should be used? \$\endgroup\$
    – usman shah
    Commented May 25, 2020 at 12:21
  • \$\begingroup\$ That sounds like a different (new) question and it will depend on your PWM frequency and allowable ripple. \$\endgroup\$ Commented May 25, 2020 at 12:29
  • \$\begingroup\$ 0 FOR 1-5V to 0-20mA: I am very confused! When I use 3.3V ouput from Arduino Nano Power Pin--> Iout=13mA (which is ok). Similarly, with 3.3V Battery -> Iout=13mA (which is ok). But,When I use 3.3V ouput from Arduino Nano Analog pin(PWM)--> Iout=16mA (I can't understand this value). At 2.5V output from Arduino Nano Analog Pin--> Iout=13.7mA. Is seems their is a problem using Analog pins of arduino nano.?? \$\endgroup\$
    – usman shah
    Commented May 25, 2020 at 13:49
  • \$\begingroup\$ 3.3V = 13.2mA with 250 ohms. \$\endgroup\$ Commented May 25, 2020 at 13:51

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