54
Please note that the safety drive on the MTL5581 responds to a line breakage (i.e. an open circuit) 
or a thermocouple burnout. It does not provide detection of a short circuit. It can however, when 
chosen, be set to drive the output either upscale or downscale. These options are selected using 
the switches located on the side of the module.
Safety drive switches
Line  
breakage
V
out 
value
Sw2 
Safety drive
Sw1  
Drive direction
OFF N/A NO V
in
*
OFF N/A YES undetermined
ON + NO V
in
*
ON + YES > +50mV
ON – NO V
in
*
ON – YES < –50mV
* Within V
in
/V
out
 transfer accuracy and drift error as specified in the product datasheet.
6.7.5  MTL5581 - mV/Thermocouple Isolator
Single channel, mV/THC input for low power signals
The MTL5581 takes a low-level dc signal from a voltage source in a hazardous area, isolates it, 
and passes it to a receiving instrument located in the safe area. The module is intended for use 
with thermocouples utilising external cold-junction compensation. A switch enables or disables 
the safety drive in the event of thermocouple burnout or a cable breakage; a second switch 
permits the selection of upscale or downscale operation as the application requires.
Hazardous area Safe area
PWR
MTL5581
Terminal Function
1 THC/mV input –ve
2 THC/mV input +ve
11 Output –ve
12 Output +ve
13 Supply –ve
14 Supply +ve
OFF position
ON position