What is an analogue 0-10 Volt signal
An analogue 0-10 Volt signal is a continuous electrical signal that represents varying levels of voltage between 0 and 10 volts. It varies continuously between 0 and 10 Volts. Such an analogue signal is often used to transmit a measured value from one device to another. You can think of it as a means of communication between two or more electronic devices.
In ventilation applications, for example, a 0-10 Volt signal can be used to control the speed of a fan. A potentiometer generates a 0-10 Volt signal with which the fan speed can be adjusted. By turning the knob, the value of the 0-10 Volt signal changes, causing the fan to rotate slower or faster. 0 Volt corresponds to minimum speed. At 10 Volts the fan will operate at maximum speed.
Another example is a CO2 sensor. The sensor measures the CO2 concentration in the air and converts this measurement into a 0-10 Volt signal. This signal can be used to regulate fan speed. This is an example of demand based ventilation. When the CO2 level is within range (good indoor air quality), the sensor will generate an analogue output of 0 Volt. The fan will operate at minimum speed. When the space is occupied by more people, the CO2 level will increase. The sensor will detect the higher CO2 levels and increase the analogue output value towards 10 Volt. The fan speed will increase. The extra supplied fresh air will wash away the higher CO2 concentration and the complete system will find a balance. Thanks to demand based ventilation, fan speed is automatically regulated and a significant amount of energy can be saved. When a fan runs at half speed it consumes less than 60 % of the energy compared to full speed.
The advantage of an analogue 0-10 Volt signal is its simplicity and versatility. It allows for precise control over a wide range of values and can be easily understood and implemented in various electronic systems. A 0-10 Volt signal can be measured for error analysis with a simple measuring device. It does not require in-depth technical knowledge. The disadvantage is that it is sensitive to interference, especially with longer cable lengths. The maximum length of a cable for an analogue 0-10 Volt signal depends on many external parameters such as the type of cable, nearby power cables, the current flowing through nearby cables, magnetic fields, etc. It is therefore advisable to keep cable lengths as short as possible and to keep cables physically separated from power cables. As a rule of thumb, 0-10 Volt cables can have a maximum length of 20 meters. As mentioned earlier, this depends on external parameters and this number can vary greatly.