Dynalab NX Series User manual

NX Tester User’s Guide
Dynalab Test Systems
April, 2011

Copyright ©Dynalab, Inc., 1988-2011. All rights reserved.
All features/functions mentioned within are subject to change. This document is for informational
purposes only. Dynalab, Inc., makes no warranties, expressed or implied, in this document.
Dynalab® and NX® are registered trademarks of Dynalab, Inc.

Dynalab Test Systems NX Tester User’s Guide 1
Copyright 2011 Revised 04/27/2011
TABLE OF CONTENTS
NX TESTER USER’S GUIDE......................................................................................................................... 1
TABLE OF CONTENTS ................................................................................................................................. 1
WELCOME TO DYNALAB ........................................................................................................................... 2
OVERVIEW OF THE DYNALAB NX TESTER.......................................................................................... 2
POWERING UP THE NX TESTER............................................................................................................... 4
CALIBRATION................................................................................................................................................ 4
USING NX TESTER MENUS......................................................................................................................... 4
MAIN MENU .................................................................................................................................................... 5
RUN ............................................................................................................................................................... 5
SELECT......................................................................................................................................................... 5
PROBE........................................................................................................................................................... 6
FILES MENU.................................................................................................................................................... 6
MEM-CARD >TESTER ............................................................................................................................... 6
TESTER >MEM CARD................................................................................................................................ 7
SERVER >TESTER...................................................................................................................................... 8
MAINTENANCE .......................................................................................................................................... 8
SETUP MENU ................................................................................................................................................ 10
CONFIGURATION..................................................................................................................................... 10
RESTRICTIONS ......................................................................................................................................... 17
DIAGNOSTICS ........................................................................................................................................... 18
AUTOLEARN................................................................................................................................................. 20
AUTOMATIC PROGRAM SELECTION USING A BAR CODE SCANNER........................................ 23
TEST POINT INTERFACING ..................................................................................................................... 24
SERIAL PORT INTERFACE ....................................................................................................................... 25
EXTENDED BUTTON INTERFACE .......................................................................................................... 26
NX PRO+ SYSTEM SETUP.......................................................................................................................... 27
NX TESTER FEATURE SUMMARY AND SPECIFICATIONS ............................................................. 28
NX TESTER ERROR CODES...................................................................................................................... 30
SERVICE AND SUPPORT ........................................................................................................................... 37
NX TESTER BOARDS .................................................................................................................................. 38
LIMITED WARRANTY................................................................................................................................ 39

2 NX Editor User’s Guide Dynalab Test Systems
Revised 04/27/2011 Copyright 2011
Welcome to Dynalab
Thank you for selecting Dynalab Test Systems. The NX Tester is designed to run as a standalone wire
harness tester without a constant connection to a computer. Programs are created with the NX Editor
software application, then transferred to the NX Tester.
This User’s Guide describes the NX Tester’s user interface, hardware configuration, and interfacing.
Please refer to the NX System Getting Started Guide to learn how to quickly set up the NX Tester and
write a functional test program. Detailed information about how to write test programs is available in
the NX Editor User’s Guide.
Overview of the Dynalab NX Tester
The front panel of any NX Series Tester has the following features:
•Speaker – The speaker is used to produce a variety of sounds.
•Display – The 4 line x 20 character display provides useful information about the status of the test.
•User Buttons – The arrow buttons are used to scroll through menus. The green button is used to select
menu items and to start programs. The red button is used to stop program execution and to escape
from menus.
•Probe port – This accepts the Probe, a useful device for troubleshooting fixture wiring. When probing
a Test Point, the Tester will display the Test Point name.
•NX Memory Card Slot – This slot accepts an NX Memory Card for the purpose of transferring
programs from a PC to the NX Tester.
•Key Slot – This slot accepts a Supervisor Key
The Supervisor Key unlocks access to Setup Menus, allows program termination, activates the
control port, and allows advancing through errors. The Supervisor Key may also be used to satisfy a
test program’s requirement that a supervisor be present to continue. The Supervisor Key contains
data storage areas that can be programmed to contain the Supervisor’s ID and other useful data.
Probe Port
Speaker Display
User
Buttons
NX
Memory
Card Slot
Key Slot

Dynalab Test Systems NX Tester User’s Guide 3
Copyright 2011 Revised 04/27/2011
The rear panel of any NX Series Tester is designed to support the following features:
•Serial Ports – Two serial ports are supplied as a standard feature on every NX Series Tester. Serial
ports are used to connect to a Remote Display, Label or Receipt Printer, or Bar Code Scanner. Two
additional serial ports and a network interface are available with the optional Communications Board,
part number 5-4011.
•Power Supply Receptacle – this accepts the DC connection from the Power Supply.
•Control Port Interface – Connects to the Control Port Module. The Control Port Module provides one
set of contacts for output and one for input. This provides a mechanism to control an external device
such as a fixture clamp, or to receive input from an external device. For more detailed information
regarding the use of the Control Port Module, please refer to the NX Application Note entitled
Interfacing to External Devices.
•Extended Button Interface – In some cases, the test operator may not be able to easily reach the
control buttons on the front panel of the NX Tester. To solve this problem, the NX Tester can be
equipped with an Extended Button Pad - this provides the operator with complete control of the NX
Tester from a distance. The Extended Button Pad plugs into the Extended Button Interface.
•USB Port – The USB port is available to connect to a PC. A PC connection is used to support NX
View software, to upgrade the NX Tester’s firmware, or to download test programs from the PC.
Note: the USB port is a standard feature in NX Testers manufactured in 2011 and later. Older NX
Testers are not equipped with a USB port.
Standard
Serial Ports
Test Point
Boards
Power
Supply
Receptacle
Control Port
Interface
Power
Switch
Extended
Button
Interface
Optional
Serial Ports
Optional
Network
Interface
USB
Port

4 NX Editor User’s Guide Dynalab Test Systems
Revised 04/27/2011 Copyright 2011
© Dynalab, Inc. 2006
Version 2.1.91
SN 000000035
Test Points 256
SELECTED_PROGRAM
>RUN FILES
SELECT SETUP
PROBE
Powering Up the NX Tester
The NX Tester is provided with a power supply and cord. The power supply connector plugs into the
receptacle located on the rear of the NX Tester. The power supply’s power cord connects to a 3 prong
power receptacle. For proper operation and safety, an adequate ground is required. The power supply
may be connected to a 115VAC or 220VAC receptacle.
The power switch is also located on the rear of the cabinet. When the power switch is activated, the NX
Tester displays a power up message that includes the firmware version, the NX Tester’s serial number,
and the number of test points, as shown below:
During the power up phase, the NX Tester performs a diagnostic test for the test points. If successful,
the fourth line displays the total number of test points found as shown above. If the diagnostic test fails,
the fourth line will display a flashing message indicating failure.
Calibration
The NX Tester performs automatic calibration upon power-up and every time a Test Workflow item is
executed. Automatic calibration is based on readings made using a set of internal precision components
of known values. Calibration of any NX Tester is verifiable using Dynalab’s Calibration Verification
Device, part number 5-1040. The NX Tester calibration verification procedure is explained in detail in
the NX Application Note entitled “Calibration Verification”.
Using NX Tester Menus
A simple Main Menu is used to control basic operations of the NX Tester.
The “>” symbol is used to point to selected menu items as shown above. All menus use the four buttons
located on the front of the NX Tester.
•The Up and Down arrow buttons are used to move the pointer
•The GREEN button is used to select an item
•The RED button is used to return to a previous menu or to stop execution of a function.

Dynalab Test Systems NX Tester User’s Guide 5
Copyright 2011 Revised 04/27/2011
SELECTED_PROGRAM
RUN FILES
SELECT SETUP
PROBE
SELECTED_PROGRAM
>RUN FILES
SELECT SETUP
PROBE
SELECTED_PROGRAM
RUN FILES
>SELECT SETUP
PROBE
A7789008
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A7789008
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Program Name
Program Size
Date & Time Stamp
Checksum
Total number of programs in memory
Program number
Main Menu
The Main Menu is displayed when the NX Tester is powered up and when a program stops execution.
The first line displays the name of the selected program. If no program is selected, this line is blank.
The rest of the items are selectable menu items. To select an item, use the Up and/or Down arrow keys
to navigate to the desired item, then press the GREEN button to select the item. To return to the
previous level, press the RED button.
RUN
The RUN function executes the currently selected program (shown on the top line of the Main Menu).
To stop execution of the program, press the RED button.
SELECT
The SELECT function is used to select a program for execution from the NX Tester’s memory.
During selection, the NX Tester displays information about each program. This includes the program
name, the size of the program, the date and time the program was last saved, the checksum, the program
number in the list and the total number of programs. The checksum is a 8 character (4 hexadecimal
digits) value. This value is also visible in the NX Editor, providing a means of ensuring that the program
was not corrupted during file transfer.
The UP and DOWN arrow keys can be used to scroll through the program list. Once the desired
program is displayed, the selection is made by pressing the GREEN button. After selecting a program
by pressing the GREEN button, the NX Tester returns to the Main Menu.

6 NX Editor User’s Guide Dynalab Test Systems
Revised 04/27/2011 Copyright 2011
SELECTED_PROGRAM
RUN FILES
SELECT SETUP
>PROBE
PROBE ^C
[001-12]
B-2
W3(BLU)
MEM-CARD > TESTER
TESTER > MEM-CARD
SERVER > TESTER
MAINTENANCE
>MEM-CARD > TESTER
TESTER > MEM-CARD
SERVER > TESTER
MAINTENANCE
MEM-CARD > TESTER
>ONE FILE
ALL FILES
A7789008
1358 bytes
15-Jun-2004 12:34
2/9
SELECTED_PROGRAM
RUN >FILES
SELECT SETUP
PROBE
MEM-CARD > TESTER
>ONE FILE
ALL FILES
PROBE
The PROBE function places the NX Tester in the probe mode. This mode is especially useful for fixture
building and maintenance. In the probe mode, the NX Tester identifies which test point(s) the probe is
electrically connected to. The NX Tester also displays the symbolic information from the selected
program showing what connector and pin should be connected to the probed test point. If more than
one test point is connected to the probed point, an UP caret (^) is displayed in the upper right corner, and
pressing the Up Arrow button will scroll through all the connected points. If an LED is associated with
the probed point’s fixture block, the LED will be illuminated.
To use this mode a Dynalab probe must be connected to the probe jack on the front of the NX Tester.
FILES Menu
The FILES menu is accessed by selecting FILES from the Main Menu as shown above. Once selected,
the FILES menu is presented.
The FILES menu provides several functions for managing program files on the NX Tester and NX
Memory Card.
MEM-CARD > TESTER
The MEM-CARD > TESTER selection is used to transfer files from the NX Memory Card to the NX
Tester’s memory. After selection of this function, a menu is displayed prompting for ONE FILE or for
ALL FILES.
ONE FILE is used to transfer a single file from the NX memory Card to the NX Tester’s memory.
When ONE FILE is selected, the NX Tester displays information about each program. This includes
the program name, the size of the program, the date and time the program was last saved, the program
number in the list and the total number of programs. The UP and DOWN arrow keys can be used to
scroll through the program list. Once the desired program is displayed, the selection is made by pressing
the GREEN button.

Dynalab Test Systems NX Tester User’s Guide 7
Copyright 2011 Revised 04/27/2011
MEM-CARD > TESTER
ONE FILE
>ALL FILES
MEM-CARD > TESTER
>TESTER > MEM-CARD
SERVER > TESTER
MAINTENANCE
TESTER > MEM-CARD
>ONE FILE
ALL FILES
A7789008
1358 bytes
15-Jun-2004 12:34
13A53CD3 2/9
TESTER > MEM-CARD
ONE FILE
>ALL FILES
TESTER > MEM-CARD
>ONE FILE
ALL FILES
ALL FILES is used to transfer all the files on the NX Memory Card to the NX Tester’s memory.
TESTER > MEM CARD
The TESTER > MEM_CARD selection is used to transfer files from the NX Tester’s memory to the
NX Memory Card. After selection of this function, a menu is displayed prompting for ONE FILE or for
ALL FILES.
ONE FILE is used to transfer a single file from the NX Tester’s memory to the NX Memory Card.
When ONE FILE is selected, the NX Tester displays information about each program. This includes
the program name, the size of the program, the date and time the program was last saved, the checksum,
the program number in the list and the total number of programs. The UP and DOWN arrow keys can
be used to scroll through the program list. Once the desired program is displayed, the selection is made
by pressing the GREEN button.
ALL FILES is used to transfer all the files from the NX Tester’s memory
to the NX Memory Card.
NOTE:
Dynalab recommends use of the Memory Cards supplied by Dynalab, part number 5-1011.
All memory cards supplied by Dynalab are shipped with a FAT file system. Microsoft Windows will
allow the card to be re-formatted as FAT32 or as FAT. If it is necessary to re-format the card, do not
use FAT32 – the file system must always be formatted as FAT in order to operate properly with NX
Testers.

8 NX Editor User’s Guide Dynalab Test Systems
Revised 04/27/2011 Copyright 2011
MEM-CARD > TESTER
TESTER > MEM-CARD
SERVER > TESTER
>MAINTENANCE
MAINTENANCE
>TESTER
MEM-CARD
>DIR
DELETE ONE
DELETE ALL
INFO
MEM-CARD > TESTER
TESTER > MEM-CARD
>SERVER > TESTER
MAINTENANCE
SERVER > TESTER
The SERVER >TESTER selection is used to transfer files across the network from the NX Server to the
NX Tester.
MAINTENANCE
The MAINTENANCE selection is used to view the file directory, get information about file storage
memory capacity, and to delete files from memory.
After making the selection in the FILES menu, the MAINTENANCE menu shown above is presented.
Select TESTER to gain access to file maintenance function on the tester, or MEM-CARD to gain access
to file maintenance function on the memory card.
Next, the selections shown above are presented.
DIR
When DIR is selected, the NX Tester displays the directory information about each program. This
includes the program name, the size of the program, the date and time the program was last saved, the
checksum, the program number in the list and the total number of programs. The UP and DOWN arrow
keys can be used to scroll through the program list. Once the desired program is displayed, the selection
is made by pressing the GREEN button.
DELETE ONE
A7789008
1358 bytes
15-Jun-2004 12:34
13A53CD3 2/9
>DIR
DELETE ONE
DELETE ALL
INFO
A7789008
1358 bytes
15-Jun-2004 12:34
13A53CD3 2/9
DIR
>DELETE ONE
DELETE ALL
INFO