It's Like Going from a Standard Definition (SD) TV to a Much Higher Definition (HD) TV
To meet the growing data processing and analysis needs of our customers, Monnit Engineering has recently made significant upgrades to the ALTA® Wireless 0–20 mA Current Meter. The new version of the sensor features a notable improvement in resolution, increasing from 0.010 milliamps (mA) to 0.001 mA—a tenfold enhancement.
Another significant enhancement is in overall native accuracy. The new ALTA 0–20 mA Current Meter improves accuracy from 0.070 mA to within 0.010 mA typically. Even better than that, the meter's calibrated accuracy can measure as low as 0.002 mA.
See More—Now in High Definition
Upgrades to the meter—a 10× boost in resolution and a big jump in native accuracy—are comparable to moving from watching an SD TV to one with pre-4K HD.
Curves and lines appear smoother. Subtle shifts are easier to see. For your downstream data calculations, you receive cleaner inputs—making decisions more straightforward. We're zooming in to collect more data with these improvements for a more precise and understandable view of what you're measuring.
How the Meter Works
The ALTA Wireless 0–20 mA Current Meter measures the direct current (DC) from 2-wire and 3-wire current loop transducers with a 4–20 mA output on a configurable time interval or Heartbeat.
On every Heartbeat, the meter converts the analog current signal to a digital current measurement. This measurement is then sent to the gateway, making the data available in iMonnit or another approved data service. As mentioned, you can improve its accuracy with calibration.
What's New (At a Glance)
10× finer resolution: from 01 mA to 0.001 mA
Higher native (uncalibrated) accuracy: from 07 mA to 0.01 mA (typical)
Even tighter calibrated accuracy: down to 002 mA
Stronger protection & robustness:
Direct Voltage stand-off increased from ±3 V to ±10 V
Electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection increased from 8 kV to 15 kV
Why This Matters—Precision vs. Accuracy Made Simple
Precision is how finely you can slice the signal to produce higher resolution (decimal places/steps).
Accuracy is how close the reading is to the true value.
By increasing precision or resolution 10× (for example, from approximately 2,000 to roughly 20,000 discrete steps across 0–20 mA), the meter zooms in on the signal. Paired with upgraded electronics and smarter firmware filtering, we also improved accuracy—so the number you see is both more detailed and more precise.
Why are we showcasing our new ALTA Wireless 0–20 mA Current Meter in images of lightbulbs?
Yes, these images are purposely abstract. Instead, we could have placed images of an old, standard TV and an HDTV in these graphics with the meters. We like that analogy, obviously, and led with it in this post.
However, even though incandescent light bulbs are lit with alternating current (AC) and the meter measures direct current (DC), the world recognizes that light bulbs represent sudden inspiration, ideas, creativity, and innovation. That's how we feel about our sensors and meters and the data they give you.
Additionally, look at the short video. See how the filament flickers with varying intensity? Do you also see the outline of its bulb and the other bulb outlines with the meters inside?
Consider the filament indicating the various data points being sensed and reported by the meter. Also, consider the outlines to be current loops of the transducers that the meter is monitoring.
Isn't that nice? It's like our graphic designer just invited you to look while he explained some art in his gallery. Thank you for visiting. Please, carry on.
Real-world effect: Reduced stair-stepping, smoother curves, and higher-fidelity data—especially noticeable when your pressure transducer, for example, outputs data across large ranges (e.g., 0–2,000 PSI) but you're concerned with small changes (e.g., 0.1 PSI).
Built for the 4–20 mA World You Rely On
Many critical measurements in various applications—current, pressure, pH, temperature, dissolved oxygen, force, magnetic flow, and level—produce a 4–20 mA signal from a transducer. If your monitoring device can't resolve the details your transducer provides, you lose insights that can lead to avoidable errors and poorly informed decisions.
With these upgrades, the ALTA 0–20 mA Current Meter can now detect the subtle differences provided by modern transducers. This means your analytics, alerts, and trends are based on the transducer's actual performance, rather than being limited by the interface.
Benefits You'll Notice
Sharper insight from the same signal: 10× resolution uncovers subtle shifts (e.g., 285.0 to 285.1 PSI equivalents) that were previously invisible.
Lower system-introduced error: Higher native accuracy helps ensure your readings reflect the transducer, not the interface.
Smoother trending: More points across the range reduce stair-step artifacts and improve model fit and diagnostics.
Greater robustness: Higher voltage stand-off and ESD protection help the device shrug off real-world electrical stress.
Get Started
These enhancements are available without altering how you deploy the sensor: the same ALTA wireless experience, the same gateways, and the same platform—just with far better fidelity.
Ready to capture more insight from your 4–20 mA transducers?
Add the enhanced ALTA 0–20mA Wireless Current Meter to new projects.
Consider upgrading in applications where precision/accuracy was the limiting factor (pressure, force, or any process transmitter with tight tolerances).
Use calibration to hit the tightest specs.
The enhanced ALTA 0–20mA Wireless Current Meter delivers the fidelity that today's 4–20 mA applications demand—10× finer resolution, tighter accuracy, and tougher protections—without changing your workflow.
By capturing more of what your transducers already know, you get smoother trends and smarter alerts from iMonnit. If precision or interface-introduced error has been your bottleneck, this upgrade turns your current loops into high-definition insight—ready for better decisions today and room to grow tomorrow.
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