New Dewesoft IOLITE Modules Expand Voltage, Current and Temperature Measurement

Dewesoft has expanded its IOLITE data acquisition platform with new modules for high-density voltage and current acquisition, isolated low-voltage measurement, and advanced temperature and resistance testing.

The expanded module range gives engineers more flexibility when configuring IOLITE systems for industrial test benches, battery and inverter development, thermal testing, aerospace research, process monitoring and other multichannel measurement applications.

The new modules include:

• A 16-channel ±10 V input module
• A four-channel fully isolated low-voltage module
• 16-channel low-current modules
• Eight-channel isolated RTD, thermistor and resistance modules
• A blank rack slice for flexible IOLITE rack configurations

What Is the Dewesoft IOLITE Platform?

Dewesoft IOLITE combines data acquisition and real-time control capabilities within one scalable measurement platform.

IOLITE systems can simultaneously acquire, synchronise, record and analyse signals such as voltage, current, strain, vibration, sound, temperature, counters, digital inputs and communication-bus data.

The platform can be configured as a rack-mounted system for test benches and high-channel-count applications or as distributed modular hardware positioned closer to sensors and measurement points.

DewesoftX software provides instrument configuration, data recording, visualisation, mathematical processing, analysis and reporting within one software environment.

Metromatics supplies and supports Dewesoft IOLITE systems throughout Australia and New Zealand.

Overview of the New IOLITE Modules

IOLITEr-16xLV-10V: High-Density ±10 V Measurement

The IOLITEr-16xLV-10V provides 16 low-voltage input channels with a dedicated ±10 V measurement range.

Many industrial sensors, laboratory instruments and control systems produce voltage outputs within this range. The module allows engineers to acquire multiple voltage signals within one IOLITE rack slot, making it suitable for systems that require a high number of measurement channels.

A 2 MΩ input impedance helps minimise loading on connected signal sources. Channel-to-ground isolation also supports measurement reliability and signal integrity.

Key specifications

• 16 low-voltage input channels
• Dedicated ±10 V measurement range
• Up to 20 kS/s sampling rate
• 24-bit delta-sigma ADC
• 2 MΩ input impedance between Input+ and Input−
• Channel-to-ground isolation
• Terminal block connectors

Typical applications

• Industrial sensor acquisition
• Automated test benches
• Control-system testing
• Laboratory measurements
• High-channel-count voltage recording
• Research and development

IOLITEir-4xLV-BAN: Isolated Voltage Measurement

The IOLITEir-4xLV-BAN provides four fully isolated voltage inputs for measurements in electrically demanding environments.

Each input is isolated from the other channels and from ground. This architecture allows engineers to measure signals operating at different electrical potentials while helping to reduce unwanted ground loops.

The module provides selectable measurement ranges of ±100 V, ±10 V, ±1 V and ±100 mV. Therefore, it can capture both relatively higher voltage signals and sensitive low-level signals.

A 10 MΩ input impedance helps minimise loading on the measured circuit. This is particularly important when testing sensitive control circuits, floating sensors and power-electronics systems.

Key specifications

• Four fully isolated voltage inputs
• ±100 V, ±10 V, ±1 V and ±100 mV input ranges
• Up to 40 kS/s sampling rate
• 24-bit delta-sigma ADC
• 10 MΩ input impedance
• Channel-to-channel isolation
• Channel-to-ground isolation
• CAT II 1000 V isolation rating
• Safety 4 mm banana connectors

The CAT II 1000 V specification refers to the module’s isolation rating. It should not be confused with its maximum ±100 V measurement range.

Typical applications

• Battery-system testing
• Inverter development
• Power-electronics diagnostics
• Gate-drive voltage measurement
• Floating sensor acquisition
• Insulation monitoring
• Sensitive control-circuit testing
• Low-level measurements within high-voltage systems

IOLITEr-16xLA and IOLITE-16xLA: High-Density Low-Current Acquisition

The IOLITE 16xLA modules provide 16 analogue channels for acquiring low-current signals across a ±20 mA input range.

They are suited to industrial data acquisition and control applications that require multiple current-input channels within a compact system.

The IOLITEr-16xLA is designed for rack-mounted configurations, while the IOLITE-16xLA provides the same measurement capability in the distributed IOLITE Modular format.

Key specifications

• 16 analogue current-input channels
• ±20 mA measurement range
• 100 Ω input impedance
• Up to 20 kS/s sampling rate
• 24-bit ADC
• Anti-aliasing filtering
• Channel-to-ground isolation

The rack-mounted version is available with terminal block or D-SUB37 connection options.

Typical applications

• Industrial process-signal acquisition
• Current-loop signal measurement
• Automated test equipment
• Equipment monitoring
• Control-system development
• High-channel-count industrial DAQ

IOLITE 8xRTD Modules: More Than Temperature Acquisition

The IOLITEir-8xRTD-2T3A24 and IOLITEi-8xRTD-2T3A24 extend IOLITE beyond conventional RTD measurement.

Each module provides eight isolated channels that can acquire temperature from different RTD and thermistor types. The modules can also measure resistance and low-voltage signals, giving engineers greater flexibility within thermal and electrical test systems.

Supported measurement modes

Platinum RTDs

• Pt50
• Pt100
• Pt200
• Pt500
• Pt1000
• Pt2000

Thermistors

• NTC thermistors
• PTC thermistors

Additional measurements

• Resistance across six ranges up to 10 MΩ
• ±1 V voltage signals
• ±100 mV voltage signals

Key specifications

• Eight measurement channels
• Up to 10 kS/s sampling rate per channel
• 24-bit ADC
• Channel-to-channel isolation
• Channel-to-ground isolation
• Analogue and digital anti-aliasing filtering
• Rack-mounted and distributed modular versions

The modules can capture faster temperature changes and thermal-shock events that may be difficult to analyse using slower conventional temperature-acquisition equipment.

They are also designed to provide stable measurements in electrically noisy environments, including installations near electric motors, high-power inverters and other sources of electromagnetic interference.

Reducing RTD self-heating and measurement errors

The new IOLITE 8xRTD modules use pulsed sensor excitation to help reduce RTD self-heating.

Pulsed excitation can also help address DC offset errors produced by the Seebeck effect during cryogenic temperature measurements. This makes the modules particularly valuable for research, aerospace and low-temperature applications where small measurement errors can affect the results.

Resistance-to-temperature conversion takes place within the module. DewesoftX supports standard RTD characteristics and thermistor equations, including the Steinhart–Hart equation. This reduces the need to create additional mathematical channels or manually scale sensor measurements.

Typical applications

• Environmental chamber testing
• Thermal mapping
• Battery temperature monitoring
• Electric motor testing
• Inverter thermal testing
• Thermal-shock testing
• Cryogenic measurement
• Insulation and leakage monitoring
• Sensor validation
• Material characterisation
• Aerospace testing
• University and scientific research

IOLITEr-BLANK: More Flexible Rack Configurations

The IOLITEr-BLANK is an empty IOLITE rack slice that bypasses an unused EtherCAT slot.

It allows users to reserve space within an IOLITE rack for future expansion or temporarily remove a measurement module without rearranging the remaining rack slices.

Benefits

• Bypasses unused EtherCAT rack slots
• Supports planned system expansion
• Simplifies module removal and replacement
• Reduces rack reconfiguration
• Maintains an organised rack layout

Although the IOLITEr-BLANK does not perform a measurement function, it can make maintaining and expanding an IOLITE system more convenient.

Where Can the New IOLITE Modules Be Used?

The expanded module range creates new configuration options across several industries and test environments.

Battery, inverter and electric-drive testing

Engineers can combine isolated voltage, current and temperature measurements when evaluating battery modules, battery packs, inverters, electric motors and control systems.

The IOLITEir-4xLV-BAN can capture isolated voltage and control signals, while the 8xRTD modules can monitor temperatures across cells, components, cooling systems, motors and power electronics.

Industrial test benches

The new 16-channel voltage and current modules allow more industrial sensors and process signals to be acquired within fewer rack or modular positions.

IOLITE can also combine measurement data with real-time control functions, making it suitable for test benches that must operate actuators, respond to events and record synchronised test data.

Thermal and environmental testing

The 8xRTD modules support environmental chambers, temperature cycling, thermal mapping, component validation and thermal-shock testing.

Because the modules also measure resistance and low-level voltage, the same system can support a broader selection of sensors and test requirements.

Aerospace and cryogenic research

Isolated temperature acquisition, pulsed RTD excitation and support for multiple platinum RTD types make the 8xRTD modules particularly relevant to aerospace, propulsion, environmental and cryogenic research.

The measurements can be synchronised with other Dewesoft signals such as strain, load, pressure, vibration, displacement and electrical data.

Industrial monitoring and process instrumentation

The 16xLA modules provide high-density acquisition for low-current and industrial current-loop signals. Meanwhile, the 16xLV-10V module supports common voltage-output sensors and control signals.

This allows IOLITE systems to combine industrial instrumentation with higher-speed test and measurement data within one synchronised platform.

Selecting the Right IOLITE Configuration

The appropriate module depends on more than the general measurement type. Engineers should also consider:

• Number of measurement channels
• Expected voltage or current range
• Required sampling rate
• Sensor type
• Input impedance
• Channel isolation requirements
• Electrical potential differences
• Connector preferences
• Environmental conditions
• Rack-mounted or distributed installation
• Real-time control requirements
• Other signals that must be synchronised

Metromatics can help determine whether an IOLITE Rack or IOLITE Modular industrial data acquisition system is better suited to the application.

For test benches, real-time control and high-channel-count rack installations, learn more about the IOLITE R12, R8 and R8R systems.

Dewesoft IOLITE Support in Australia and New Zealand

Metromatics supplies and supports Dewesoft data acquisition systems throughout Australia and New Zealand.

Our team can assist with:

• Measurement and application discussions
• IOLITE chassis and module selection
• Channel-count planning
• Sensor and signal compatibility
• System configuration
• DewesoftX software
• System expansion
• Training and technical support

If you are planning a new data acquisition system or expanding an existing IOLITE installation, send us your measurement types, approximate channel count, signal ranges, required sampling rates and test environment.

Contact Metromatics to discuss an IOLITE data acquisition and control system for your application.