This Product Selection Guide contains information to help select products in the Panel Meters category on DigiKey.com
Panel meters are instruments that display a visual representation of an input signal using an analog needle or other physical indicator or digital characters. Many panel meters also include auxiliary outputs that may be used for alarm options as well as the ability to transfer data or a reference signal to a computer or microcontroller. Panel meters are selected by measuring range, display type, character/indicator attributes and supply voltage. Meters types include current, voltage, frequency, process, resistance, temperature, and wattage.
SelectionCharacteristics
Type: Indicates the style and configuration of the device.
Measuring Type: Indicates the type of input(s) that can be measured by the device.
Measuring Range: Characterizes the limits of an input variable within which a device is capable of making valid measurements.
Display Type: Indicates the format of the device’s display.
Number of Characters Per Row: For products incorporating a segmented display, the display width in terms of number of alphanumeric characters that can be shown on each row of the display.
Display Characters - Height: Indicates the vertical dimension of the digits/letters used by a device to visually display information about some quantity measured or controlled by a device.
Output Type: Indicates the type and number of electrical signal(s) the device provides, such as analog, digital, or serial.
Voltage - Supply: Typically represented by a range, this indicates the low and high voltage limits which one can expect standard operation. Voltages outside this range may damage the device and other system components.
Panel Cutout Dimensions: Indicates the size and shape of the hole in the panel that would accommodate the device for mounting.
Mounting Type: Indicates how the device is attached.
Termination Style: Selection of termination style used to connect the device to a system, such as quick connect, screw terminals, or wire leads.
Ingress Protection: IP (Ingress Protection) ratings such as (IP20, IP65, IP67, etc.) define how likely water and dirt will get into the system. The first number represents dirt and solid contaminants while the second represents water and liquids.
IP Ratings
| Solids | Liquids | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Protected against solids larger than 50mm. | Protected against vertically falling drops of water. Limited Ingress permitted. |
| 2 | Protected against solids larger than 12.5mm. | Protected against vertically falling drops of water with the enclosure tilted up to 15 degrees from vertical. Limited ingress permitted. |
| 3 | Protected against solids larger than 2.5mm. | Protected against spraying water up to 60 degrees from vertical. Limited ingress permitted for 3 minutes. |
| 4 | Protected against solids larger than 1mm. | Protected against water splashed from any direction. Limited ingress permitted. |
| 5 | Protected against dust. Limited ingress of dust permitted. | Will not affect operation of equipment 2-8 hours. Protected against jets of water. Limited ingress permitted. |
| 6 | Dust tight. No ingress of dust 2-8 hours. | Protected against powerful jets of water. Limited ingress permitted. |
| 7 | ______________________ | Protected against the effects of immersion in 15cm-1m for 30 minutes. |
| 8 | ______________________ | Continuous immersion in water up to 3m for long periods of time. |
| 9 | ______________________ | Protected against high pressure jets of hot water. (30 seconds) |
| 9K | ______________________ | Protected against high pressure jets of hot water. (2 minutes) |
Features: These are different capabilities or properties of the device such as built in shunts or memory option.
ProductExamples
| MFR PART # | DMS-20PC-1-GS-C |
|---|---|
| DIGIKEY PART # | 811-1009-ND |
| MANUFACTURER | Murata Power Solutions Inc. |
| DESCRIPTION | Voltmeter LED - Green Characters Display Panel Mount |
| DATASHEET | Click Here |
| MFR PART # | DK302 |
|---|---|
| DIGIKEY PART # | CDPM302-ND |
| MANUFACTURER | C-TON Industries |
| DESCRIPTION | Voltmeter LCD - Black Characters Display Panel Mount - Surface, Window |
| DATASHEET | Click Here |
| MFR PART # | 705 |
|---|---|
| DIGIKEY PART # | 1528-1149-ND |
| MANUFACTURER | Adafruit Industries LLC |
| DESCRIPTION | Voltmeter LED - Green Characters Display Chassis Mount |
| DATASHEET | Click Here |
| MFR PART # | MFM384-C-CU |
|---|---|
| DIGIKEY PART # | 4106-MFM384-C-CU-ND |
| MANUFACTURER | Selec Controls USA Inc. |
| DESCRIPTION | Energy Monitor LCD - Black Characters, Backlight Display Panel Mount |
| DATASHEET | Click Here |
MediaLinks
Videos
Murata’s DMS01 Large Format Panel Meters
Product Training Modules
ACM20 Series Four-Function AC Power Meters
DMR35 Series of Digital Panel Meters
Blogs
How to Add a Simple Digital Panel Meter