Digital instruments for measuring electrical quantities
Digital Indicators
Panel and DIN rail digital indicators designed for the precise measurement of electrical and physical quantities such as voltage, current, frequency, power, temperature, speed, and position. Thanks to high-efficiency LED displays and programmable functions, they guarantee immediate, reliable, and customizable readings in any industrial context.
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Dedicated electronic systems
General description
Digital measuring instruments, or digital indicators, represent the technological evolution of monitoring and control equipment in industrial systems. Available in various panel and DIN rail formats, they allow accurate readings of electrical and mechanical parameters—including voltage, current, frequency, active and reactive power, temperature from thermocouples or PT100, rotational speed, and position.
The units are equipped with high-efficiency LED displays up to 6 digits and programmable decimal points, offering maximum readability even in complex industrial environments. They can integrate advanced functions such as isolated analog outputs (0-20 mA, 4-20 mA, 0-10 V), programmable alarm relays, RS232/RS422-485 serial communication with Modbus protocol, and data logger memory for recording data over time.
The ABS structure with protection rating up to IP65, the high resistance to vibrations and thermal variations and the compatibility with different types of sensors and transducers make these instruments a versatile and reliable solution for industrial process control and plant automation.
Digital Indicators
Digital measuring instruments, also known as digital indicators, are electronic devices that detect and display electrical quantities via LED or LCD displays, ensuring precise, stable, and programmable readings.
Model Gallery
Model table
| Series | Type | Format | Measuring range | Application |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DF 977 / DF 978 | Digital Ammeters / Voltmeters | 48×96 – 72×72 – 96×96 | 0 ÷ 600 V / 0 ÷ 5 A | Voltage and current |
| DF 981 / DF 982 | Digital wattmeters | 48×96 – 96×96 | 0 ÷ 20 mA / 0 ÷ 10 V | Active power |
| DF 983 / DF 984 | Digital power meters | 48×96 – 96×96 | 0 ÷ 10 / cosφ -1 ÷ +1 | Power factor |
| DF 985 / DF 986 | Digital varmeters | 48×96 – 96×96 | 0 ÷ 20 mA / 0 ÷ 10 V | Reactive power |
| DF 987 | Digital frequency meters | 48×96 – 96×96 | 45 ÷ 65 Hz | Frequency |
| DF 988 / DF 989 | Temperature indicators (PT / Thermocouples) | 48×96 – 96×96 | -100 ÷ +600 °C | Temperature |
| DF 990 | Position indicators / odds | 48×96 – 96×96 | Custom | Position measurement |
| DF 991 | Digital Multifunction Analyzers | 72×72 – 96×96 | Multi-parameter | Network monitoring |
FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions
Ask people with decades of experience
We have been operating in the field of electronic instruments for measuring electrical quantities since 1951, constantly evolving alongside technology and the needs of industry. For any technical questions or support requests, our team is available to provide advice and tailored solutions.
Basic connection diagram of digital indicators
The diagram represents a typical connection example for a digital indicator used to measure electrical quantities in an industrial setting. The quantity to be monitored is detected using adaptation devices such as current transformers (CT), voltage transformers (VT), or signal sensors, which bring the value within levels compatible with the instrument’s input. The adapted signal is connected to the digital indicator’s input terminals, observing the correct polarity, allowing local display of the measured parameter and, if necessary, data transmission to control or supervisory systems. This diagram is indicative and provides a reference basis for understanding the integration of the digital indicator within electrical panels, machines, and industrial plants.
Typical applications of digital measurement indicators
Below are some of the main applications of digital measurement indicators, used in industry to control and display electrical and physical quantities. The examples described are not exhaustive, but rather some of the most common contexts in which these instruments are integrated into electrical panels, machines, and systems, with the aim of ensuring immediate, reliable readings that are useful for process monitoring.
Digital indicators in industrial electrical panels
In industrial electrical panels, digital indicators are used as immediate and reliable readings of key network parameters, allowing real-time verification of the status of the power supply and connected loads. Typically, voltage, current, and frequency are measured, but in more comprehensive configurations, active/reactive power and power factor are also measured. The indicator is installed on a panel (in standard panel formats) or on a DIN rail when a modular layout within the cabinet is preferred. In practice, measurement is almost always indirect: current is acquired via current transformers (CTs) and voltage via VTs or protected taps, thus maintaining isolation and safety, reducing impact on the circuit, and complying with the operating conditions required in an industrial environment.
The added value of digital indicators in the panel is not only the numerical display, but also the ability to configure the instrument according to the system. Programming the scale, decimal places, and measurement range allows you to adapt the reading to specific CTs/VTs and obtain indications consistent with real values. Versions equipped with relays allow you to set alarm thresholds for overcurrent, overvoltage, or out-of-frequency, activating safety signals or commands (e.g., warning lights, sirens, or digital inputs of a PLC).
When isolated analog outputs (0–10 V or 4–20 mA) are present, the indicator can also “transform” the measured parameter into a standard signal for supervision or regulation systems. In panels requiring integration with automation and remote control, serial communication (typically RS485 with Modbus) allows data to be centralized on a PLC or SCADA, facilitating diagnosis, maintenance, and fault analysis. In short, in an electrical panel, the digital indicator is a “visible” and configurable measurement point that improves control, operational safety, and integration with plant management systems.
Monitoring of energy consumption and efficiency
When monitoring electricity consumption and energy efficiency, digital indicators are a fundamental operational tool for understanding how energy is used within a system. Installed in distribution panels or on-board machines, they allow continuous visualization of parameters such as active and reactive power, power factor, and, in more advanced systems, load trends over time.
This information allows you to quickly identify overload situations, abnormal absorption or imbalances that can affect energy costs and system reliability.
The use of digital indicators for energy efficiency is not limited to simple instantaneous reading of data, but supports a more structured approach to energy management.
Thanks to analog outputs and serial communication, measured values can be transmitted to PLCs, supervision systems, or analysis software, making it possible to collect historical data and compare different operating conditions.
In this way, the digital indicator becomes a stable and reliable measuring point on which to base optimization interventions, such as improving the power factor, reducing consumption peaks, or verifying the effectiveness of corrective actions over time.
Digital indicators for measuring temperature and thermal processes
In industrial plants where temperature control is a critical parameter, digital indicators play a central role in supervising thermal processes. They are used for continuous temperature readings detected by thermocouples or PT100 resistance probes, ensuring stable and consistent measurements even under harsh operating conditions.
Panel or DIN rail installation allows the instrument to be integrated directly into the machine or system control panel, offering the operator an immediate and easily interpretable reference.
Beyond simply displaying the instantaneous value, digital temperature indicators allow for more structured process management. The ability to program intervention thresholds allows alarms or controls to be activated when the temperature exceeds predefined limits, contributing to system safety and production process quality.
In more advanced applications, analog outputs and communication interfaces also make temperature data available to control systems, PLCs, or supervisory systems, enabling automatic control, historical recording, and analysis of temperature variations over time. In this way, the digital indicator becomes an integral part of the process control system, ensuring precision, reliability, and operational continuity.
Applications on automatic machines and production lines
In automatic machines and production lines, digital indicators are used as reference tools for the real-time display of machine operating parameters.
In these contexts, they are used to measure quantities such as speed, position, heights, counts, or signals from sensors and transducers installed along the line. A clear, easily readable display allows the operator to immediately check the machine’s operating status, facilitating adjustment, start-up, and monitoring activities during the production cycle.
From an integration perspective, digital indicators easily integrate into existing automation systems, either as standalone devices or connected to PLCs and supervisory systems. Analog outputs and communication interfaces allow measured values to be shared with the machine control system, while programmable relays can be used to manage thresholds, enable signals, or alarm signals.
This makes digital indicators particularly suitable for retrofitting existing lines, where it’s necessary to add measurement points or improve parameter visibility without invasively modifying the control architecture. In this scenario, the instrument is not just an indicator, but a functional component that contributes to process stability and production quality.