{"id":4299,"date":"2026-08-03T09:48:07","date_gmt":"2026-08-03T15:48:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/scadametrics.com\/blog\/?p=4299"},"modified":"2026-08-03T16:03:00","modified_gmt":"2026-08-03T22:03:00","slug":"splitting-a-pulse-signal-with-the-analog-pulse-kit","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/scadametrics.com\/blog\/?p=4299","title":{"rendered":"Splitting a Pulse Signal with the Analog\/Pulse Kit"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"James

James Mimlitz @ SCADAmetrics – ‘Slim’<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Many commercial and industrial flow meters feature a 2-wire, pulse-output that represents a volumetric total signal<\/strong> (eg: gallons). For example: 1 pulse = 1 gallon, or 1 pulse = 10 gallons, etc… The volumetric pulse signal has historically been used by SCADA<\/strong> (S<\/span><\/strong>upervisory C<\/span><\/strong>ontrol a<\/span><\/strong>nd D<\/span><\/strong>ata A<\/span><\/strong>cquisition) systems to convey totalized flow. Furthermore, the meter’s pulse rate (pulses per minute) can be scaled into a rate-of-flow signal<\/strong> (eg: gallons per minute) to provide a complete metering picture to the SCADA system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Often, there is a desire to co-connect these same meters to an AMI\/AMR system using a 3-wire encoded AMI signal, However, if the meter is not natively outfitted with this signal, then a SCADAmetrics model PTE Pulse Encodalizer<\/a><\/strong> can be used to convert the pulse signal into a 3-wire encoded signal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“But what if the meter’s pulse signal is already being used by the SCADA system?”<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

If that is the case, then the pulse signal must first be split<\/em><\/strong> for sharing. The SCADAmetrics model APK Analog\/Pulse Kit<\/a><\/strong> is especially suitable for this task, as shown in the following illustration. Note that the Analog\/Pulse Kit requires DC mains power (9-36Vdc):<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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In the above illustration, a pulse output signal from a magnetic flow meter is split and co-connected to both a SCADA system and an AMI system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For AMI connectivity, the SCADAmetrics model PTE Pulse Encodalizer<\/strong> is leveraged to provide a 3-wire encoded AMI signal for flow meters that otherwise do not feature this necessary signal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is important to note that a pulse signal (dry-contact, open-collector, open-drain, etc.) cannot simply be wired in parallel to multiple pulse input devices. Each pulse input device (PTE Pulse Encodalizer, PLC, RTU, etc…) provides a unique DC pullup voltage which can damage other parallel devices. Therefore, an isolated split must be performed using an APK Analog\/Pulse Kit or other equivalent device.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The APK Analog\/Pulse Kit is especially suitable for pulse splitting, because of the following key features:<\/p>\n\n\n\n