ISOCON-6 Signal Converter & Isolator
Converts and isolates 4-20mA, voltage, thermocouple and RTD signals. Fixes ground loops and PLC mismatches. Configured and tested before shipping.
Price: $276.77 USD (in stock, ships today)
Part number: ISOCON-6
Available Configurations
- Input: 4-20mA, 0-10V, 0-5V, 1-5V, 0-1V, Thermocouple, RTD
- Output: 4-20mA, 0-10V, 0-5V, 1-5V, 0-1V, 20-4mA, Thermocouple, RTD
Product Details
The ISOCON is a versatile industrial signal conditioner designed for signal conversion, isolation, and interfacing between field instruments and industrial control systems.
In industrial automation applications, field instruments and control equipment often use different signal types or require electrical isolation between devices. The ISOCON provides a practical solution by conditioning the incoming signal and converting it to the output signal required by the receiving equipment.
ISOCON signal conditioners can be used with common industrial process and sensor signals, making them well suited for connecting transmitters, sensors, PLCs, controllers, displays, recorders, and data acquisition systems. Depending on the selected model and configuration, the ISOCON family can accommodate a variety of signal-conditioning applications.
Typical applications include converting analog signals such as 4–20 mA to voltage signals, converting voltage signals to current signals, isolating process signals, interfacing sensors with PLC analog inputs, and solving signal compatibility problems in industrial control systems.
The ISOCON is well suited for process control, factory automation, machine monitoring, instrumentation panels, water and wastewater systems, OEM equipment, and other industrial applications requiring dependable signal conditioning.
Need help selecting the correct ISOCON? Contact QWK Supply with your input signal, required output signal, power supply, and application details, and we can help determine the appropriate configuration for your application.
ISOCON-6 Signal Converter & Isolator Applications & Common Questions
Real-World Applications
Breaking ground loops between PLCs and field instruments
When a transmitter and a PLC analog card sit on different grounds, circulating current shows up as drifting or jumpy readings. Installing the ISOCON-6 in the loop gives 1000V isolation between input, output, and power, so each side sees a clean, independent circuit.
Converting thermocouples and RTDs straight to 4-20mA
Wire a Type J, K, T (and others) thermocouple or a 2/3/4-wire PT100/PT1000 directly to the input and get a linearized 4-20mA or 0-10V output. Useful for bringing temperature into a controller or data logger that only has analog current or voltage inputs.
Matching mismatched signals during retrofits
Replacing a sensor or a controller often leaves you with a 0-10V device talking to a 4-20mA input, or vice versa. The ISOCON-6 bridges nearly any analog combination, so you don't have to replace the other half of the system.
Powering a 2-wire transmitter from a panel with no loop supply
The built-in isolated transmitter supply can power a standard 2-wire 4-20mA transmitter, which simplifies panels where a separate loop power supply isn't available.
Flow measurement from differential pressure
With square-root extraction switched on, a DP transmitter signal across an orifice plate or other primary element is converted into an output proportional to flow.
Reversing signal direction for a valve or drive
Signal inversion turns 4-20mA into 20-4mA, handy when an actuator or VFD expects the opposite action from what the controller sends.
Common Questions
My sensor outputs 4-20mA but my PLC only accepts voltage. What can I do?
Put an ISOCON-6 between them. Set it for 4-20mA in and 0-10V out (or 0-5V, 1-5V, 2-10V) and the PLC gets a signal it can read, with the two sides electrically isolated.
My sensor outputs voltage but my controller needs 4-20mA. Can an ISOCON-6 fix that?
Yes. It accepts DC voltage inputs from millivolts up to 40V and converts them to a 4-20mA source or sink output.
Will it work with my pressure, level, flow, or temperature transmitter?
If the transmitter has a standard analog output such as 4-20mA or 0-10V, yes. The manufacturer doesn't matter; only the signal types do. For flow from a differential pressure transmitter, the built-in square root extraction gives you an output proportional to flow.
Can I wire a thermocouple or RTD directly to it?
Yes. It accepts thermocouple types E, J, K, N, R, S, T and B, plus 2, 3 or 4-wire PT100 and PT1000 RTDs, and linearizes them to a clean mA or voltage output. No separate temperature transmitter needed.
Can it fix a ground loop or a jumpy analog reading?
Often, yes. Full 3-port isolation of 1000V between input, output, and power breaks the ground path between field devices and your control system. If the noise comes from cable routing, poor shielding, or a nearby VFD, isolation alone may not cure it, so check those too.
I'm replacing an old PLC and the analog inputs don't match my existing sensors. Can this help?
That's one of its most common uses. Keep the existing field instruments and use an ISOCON-6 to convert each signal to what the new PLC expects.
What power does it need?
12 to 36 VDC or 12 to 32 VAC, so a standard 24VDC panel supply works. It can also power a 2-wire 4-20mA transmitter from its isolated supply. For line-voltage power (90-264 VAC), use the ISOCON-3.
Do I need software to set it up?
No. Configuration is done with internal DIP switches, and front zero and span buttons handle field calibration. The buttons can be disabled for tamper-proof installs.
What happens if the sensor fails or a wire breaks?
You choose whether the output drives high or low on an input fault (upscale or downscale burnout), so your PLC sees an obvious fault instead of a believable wrong value.
Can it be used as an intrinsic safety barrier in a hazardous area?
No. Its isolation is functional, not an intrinsic safety certification. For sensors in hazardous areas, use a certified IS barrier ahead of the ISOCON-6.
Can I connect a high-voltage signal directly to the input?
No. Inputs are extra-low voltage, up to 40VDC. Higher voltages need a divider module to condition the signal first.
How do I know which configuration I need, and do I have to set it up myself?
You don't have to set it up. Every ISOCON-6 we sell is configured to your application and output-tested before it ships, so it works when you wire it in. Just tell us your sensor's output signal, the signal your receiving equipment needs, your available power, and a one-line description of the application. We'll confirm the right setup and send you a unit that's ready to go.