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Top Ten Reasons to Buy
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Ten Reasons Why
Not to Build Your Own
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1. Scalable -You can simply add or remove channels & cost on a per channel basis.
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1. Fixed - The number of channels are created at design time and that number is not adjustable.
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2. Flexible -You can change functions on a per channel basis; ie. add thermocouples or
RTDs to a voltage input system
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2. Fixed – You get what you get! Functions
are designed in as a step in the design
process and not changeable.
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3. Serviceable -You get the shortest MTTR (mean-time-to-repair) since I/O is replaceable
on a per channel basis
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3. Difficult – Troubleshooting can be very
difficult! To trace and repair problems can
take a lot of time and eat up a lot of cost.
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4. Easy to apply -Instrument like I/O impedances interface to broadest types of
electronic components and systems
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4. System Interaction is where many analog
circuits fail due to mismatched impedances,
bandwidths and grounds.
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5. Vendor Item -Complete Subassembly that is designed from input to output for:
1-Input Protection (wiring errors
& transients)
2-Input to output and power
supply Isolation
3-Signal filtering (Up to 6 poles
of filters)
4-High Accuracy and Linearity
5-To amplify or attenuate the signal
6-Very Low output noise
7-Linearization done in hardware
8-Excitation voltage is also isolated
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5. Analog Design Expertise is Rare Today: It
is very difficult to find a knowledgeable
analog engineer and just as difficult to pass
expertise on from engineer to engineer.
Signal conditioners require multi-faceted
analog design capabilities – see eight
specialty disciplines listed in table on the
left. You must consider all facets to create a
solid design.
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6. Agency Certifications -CSA, FM, CE and other certifications are part of each
subassembly (part number)
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6. Agencies will need to be revisited for
certification on any product upgrades and
submitted for all new OEM products
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7. Test Reports -Dataforth ships test reports (serialized) with each signal conditioner
- accuracy traceable to NIST
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7. Testing Expense – You will need to add
the cost of test equipment and technician
time to your own product cost
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8. Lowest Lifetime Costs, Controllable -We buy for high-volume production. Also, as
with any vendor item, you have simple part
numbers, quantities, and costs to negotiate on
fixed period of time contract
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8. Engineering Change Orders take on a life
of their own! You have hidden costs
associated with each circuit board revision,
documentation controls, raw material costs
and other MRP overhead costs.
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9. We Carry the Inventory -Dataforth keeps thousands of modules on the shelf to
support your customers emergency needs and
field service personnel
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9. Customer Support and Field Service
require investment in renewal parts
inventory – increases costs in raw materials
and work-in-process as well.
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10. Simple Up-Grade Path -Simply drop-in design improvements; maybe assign a dash 1 or dash B part number.
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10. Complex Up-Grade Path – You will have
to revisit Items 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 above!
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