Time Electronics 1021 DC Current Source | 0.05% Grade Calibrator

Time Electronics 1021 DC Current Source: Professional Grade Current Calibrator

The Time Electronics 1021 DC Current Source is a high-precision portable device for demanding laboratory, industrial and marine automation testing conditions. This unit is designed to draw direct current from micro-amp levels to 100 mA while providing the accuracy of laboratory grade (0.02% basic accuracy) combined with rugged field-ready construction.

Marine engineering expert note: Modern ships need perfect stability for accurate 4-20mA control loops, bridge circuits and pneumatic-electric signal converters. The Time Electronics 1021 has built-in null measurement capability, making it perfect for loop troubleshooting, calibrating marine automation sensors, checking engine room alarm panels and evaluating semiconductor parameters without loop power failures.

Model Details

• Manufacturer: Time Electronics
• Model Series: 1021
• Manufacturer Part Number (MPN): 1021
• Alternative Part Numbers / Cross-References: TE-1021, Time Electronics 1021 Calibrator, Portable Milliamp Source 1021

Key Features

1. Three Precision Output Ranges: Covers 0 to 99.99 mA (10 µA steps), 0 to 9.999 mA (1 µA steps), and 0 to 999.9 
2. High Compliance Voltage: Output voltage adjustable between 14 V and 40 V with a maximum output power of 2.4 W to drive high-resistance loops.
3. Built-In Null Meter Facility: Allows high-resolution measurement and back-off of unknown DC currents down to 1 µA resolution.
4. Robust Circuit Protection: Fully protected against short circuits and continuous overloads with an active LED voltage limit warning indicator.

Terminal Allocations & Input/Output Ratings

• Output Terminals: Front-panel high-integrity safety binding posts featuring restricted entry design and raised touch-proof flanges. Compatible with 4 mm shrouded banana plugs, pin connectors, bare stripped wires, and spade terminals.
• Polarity Control: Three-position toggle switch enabling positive output, negative output, and a true center ‘off’ open-circuit configuration.
• Charging Port: Dedicated rear/side low-voltage DC input jack for connection to the specified external mains battery charger.

Compatible Equipment

• Process Control Loops: Universal compatibility with 4-20 mA industrial instrumentation loops, PLC analog input cards, and remote telemetry units (RTUs).
• Transducers & Transmitters: 2-wire and 3-wire pressure, temperature, and level transmitters requiring precise current stimulation.
• Resistance Measurement Systems: Integrates smoothly into 4-terminal Kelvin measurement setups for tracking low-ohm contact resistances.

Applications

1. Calibration and loop-verification of marine automation instrumentation (boiler pressure, exhaust gas temperature, and ballast tank level sensors).
2. Maintenance testing of shipboard pneumatic/electronic control loops and valve positioners.
3. Bench evaluation of semiconductor components, zener diodes, and transistor static characteristics in R&D facilities.
4. Null-measurement mapping of unknown background DC current values within sensitive electronic circuits.

Marine Engineer Expert Guide

In the hostile environment of a marine engine room, signal noise and earth-fault leakage currents can destabilise control signals. Time Electronics 1021 troubleshooting aberrant automation readings Use the Null Meter function to back off nominal loop offsets. This removes the effects of common mode voltages on the measuring loop.

1. Monitoring Compliance: Always check the voltage limit indicator on the front panel LED. If this indicator lights up, the loop resistance is too high for the current compliance voltage setting (exceeding the 2.4 W ceiling). 6. Reduce the external load or check good connections before recording calibration data.
2. Field Service Battery Maintenance: The internal NiMH battery pack may provide up to 10 hours of active deployment. If stored onboard for emergency port inspections, do a full charge/discharge cycle every quarter to prevent sulfation/memory effect and to keep it ready for use.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the primary function of the Time Electronics 1021 DC Current Source?

The Time Electronics 1021 is a high-accuracy, portable calibrator designed to source precision DC currents from micro-amps up to 100 mA for checking industrial transducers, indicators, and process control loops.

Can the 1021 unit be used to measure current as well as source it?

Yes. Aside from its primary sourcing capabilities, the unit features a built-in null measurement facility that allows technicians to precisely back off and measure unknown DC current loops down to a 1 µA resolution.

What type of power source does the instrument utilize?

It operates on an internal rechargeable NiMH battery pack for complete galvanic isolation and field portability, and it includes an external mains recharger unit.

Are calibration certificates supplied with the instrument?

Traceable factory calibration certificates (C153) and ISO 17025 accredited calibration certificates (C105) are available as optional additions to meet rigorous quality assurance frameworks.

What safety plug formats are compatible with the terminal posts?

The front-panel binding posts are fully compatible with standard 4 mm shrouded banana plugs, unshielded plugs, bare twisted wire leads, and industrial spade connectors.