compact data acquisition modules

Kingmach’s compact data acquisition modules originate from field requests we kept hearing: “I need eight channels in a box smaller than a coffee mug.” These are not simplified loggers with fixed ranges; each channel can be set independently for voltage, current, vibrating wire, or potentiometric inputs via software jumpers, so one module handles mixed sensor strings. Typical hardware design uses a 24‑bit sigma‑delta ADC front‑end with programmable gain, which gives you sub‑microstrain resolution on strain gauge circuits while keeping noise below 0.4 µV RMS in slow‑rate sampling. For compatibility across long cable runs, the modules output over RS‑485 with Modbus RTU or CANopen, and they appear as standard slaves in most SCADA packages. We have built units with 4, 8, 16, or 24 channels; the enclosure follows a DIN‑rail cutout pattern but can be bolted to a metal plate inside a waterproof enclosure. Excitation outputs are individually switchable and protected against short circuits, so a faulty sensor on channel 3 won’t take down the whole module. Power management was a deliberate focus: sleep currents around 120 µA at 12 VDC are achievable when you only need a reading every few minutes, which makes solar sizing much easier. Because Kingmach maintains its own calibration lab, we pre‑test every module with a sensor simulator across temperature from ‑20°C to +65°C and include an as‑found calibration sheet, so you know what drift to expect before installation. The terminal blocks accept ferrule‑crimped wires up to 2.5 mm², and we etch terminal assignments directly on the front plate because labels always peel off. If your project needs a specific connector, like a LEMO push‑pull, we can usually integrate that in small volumes. The modules also store a unique electronic datasheet internally that host software can read to auto‑configure channels; this matters when you have 50 nodes and don’t want to click through setup screens. While our range targets the mid‑tier budget, the design choices come from listening to users who service equipment in remote areas—no tiny DIP switches, no proprietary cables, and firmware that can be updated over the bus rather than with a special programmer. Ask our application engineers about hybrid logging if you need to combine dynamic event capture with periodic static readings: the same hardware often supports both with a configuration change.