Thermocouple simulator works with Ethernet, USB control

Highland Technology has introduced the P470 thermocouple simulator that operates under Ethernet or USB control. According to the company, the device can simulate various thermocouples, allowing the use to enter known "temperatures" into panel meters, handheld metres or controllers.

The P470 can simulate up to eight J, K, E, T, R, S, B or N thermocouples through its DB-25 output connector. All channels are isolated from each other, eliminating the possibility of ground loops. The connector also lets you connect one or two non-isolated 100Ω, 4-wire PT385 RTDs that you can use for remote cold-junction compensation (CJC). There's also in internal RTD that performs local CJC. You can select any CJC for any thermocouple channel. In addition to the DB-25 connector, a 9-pin D connector provides four digital I/O channels for simulating control functions or illuminating LEDs.

The P470 gives you temperature resolution of 0.1°C. It also provides direct voltage outputs with 2µV resolution.

You can control the P470 through Ethernet or USB. When using Ethernet, the P470 has a built-in web server that lets you set up the instrument with a browser. You also have the option of automated control through the Ethernet or USB ports by using serial text-based commands.