Autoranging is a process where an instrument can automatically switch settings along a specific range. It is commonly used in electrical equipment and devices that control liquid flow. Autoranging multimeters can identify ideal ranges and trigger alarms when readings fall outside of them. The benefits of autoranging include precise readings and the ability to immediately identify range shifts without constant human monitoring. It can also trigger immediate action to contain potentially dangerous situations.
Sometimes referred to as autoranging, autoranging is a process in which an instrument has the ability to automatically switch settings anywhere along a specifically identified range. On the front end, the range is defined with minimum and maximum settings and is programmed with criteria that must be met for the switch to automatically cycle from one setting to another. Most autoranging equipment has the ability to move from a higher setting to a lower one and vice versa, rather than only allowing movement in one direction.
The use of autoranging in various types of devices is common in a number of situations. Electrical equipment, especially equipment used in power plants, often makes use of this type of technology. This helps keep the power flow from the plant at adequate levels to meet the current needs of a given segment of the electrical grid, while minimizing the possibility of damage to the grid from any type of electrical overflow. Similarly, autoranging devices can help control the flow of liquids through a system of funnels or pipes, while maintaining the pressure of the flow within an acceptable range.
An example of autoranging is with a device known as an autoranging multimeter. This type of equipment allows you to identify what is considered the ideal amount or desired range. When the actual amount falls below or rises above this desirable range, the equipment may give an alarm. When connected to devices used to monitor and control that amount, multimeter readings can trigger immediate action to correct the balance, without the need for human intervention. This type of safety feature is especially important when potentially hazardous materials are involved in some type of mining research or project.
With autoranging, the two main benefits are the ability to immediately identify range shifts, without the need for constant human monitoring, and to obtain far more precise readings than is possible by other means. Meters and other devices that have automatic measurement capabilities can also create situations where immediate action can be taken to contain a potentially dangerous situation. Such action can be triggered by alerting the people working in the facility to take some kind of process to manage the situation or by communicating with other electronic devices which automatically take actions that restore the pressure, quantity or range to acceptable levels. The exact nature of the readings at any given time also helps identify what caused the shift, which in turn allows workers to develop protocols that minimize the potential for relapse.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
