The SIM420 unit consists of a DC generator operating in the range of 4 to 20 mA.
The low value starts at 3 mA in order to be able to verify the alarm with a range lower than 4 mA that some devices have. Also, the high value can reach 24 mA, to verify the overrange alarm.
The SIM420 needs a DC mA indicator to have an indication at all times of the mA being generated.
The SIM420 has no internal power supply, so it needs an external power supply or use the power supply of the equipment we are checking, if it has one.