Importance

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Abstract

In a circuit for safe forwarding of a physical or technical variable between at least two systems in communication with one another, which variable is represented by the value of a loop current (Is), which is adjusted by a control unit (11) by means of a current output circuit (13) in a current loop (20, 60), the current output circuit (13) has at least two parallel-connected final control elements (131, 132), controllable by the control circuit (11), as current sources for mutually independent adjustment of a value of the loop current (Is). The final control elements (131, 132) are in series with at least two likewise series-connected measurement resistors (133a, 133b). The voltage, proportional to the loop current (Is), dropping via at least one but not all of the at least two measurement resistors is fed back to the control unit (11), which compares the value of this voltage with the corresponding value of the loop current, which value is specified to at least one of the final control elements, and in the event of deviations, via a predeterminable threshold, allocates an fault value corresponding to the NAMUR recommendation NE043 to the loop current via the first final control element (131), and in the case of failure of the first final control element (131) via the second final control element (132). A monitoring circuit (17) is provided, which in the event of failure of the control unit (11) allocates an fault value that likewise corresponds to the NAMUR recommendation NE043 to the loop current via the second final control element (132).

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First Claim