Futek USB200 Series User manual

Troubleshooting Guide
Sensor Solutions Source
Load · Torque · Pressure · Multi Axis · Calibration · Instruments · Software
www.futek.com
USB200 Series
High-Resolution USB Output Devices

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TG1000-E
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10 Thomas, Irvine, CA 92618 USA
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
www.futek.com
Important Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Frequently-Asked Questions (FAQs) . . . . . . . . . . . 4
LabView Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Common Error Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Technical Support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10
Table of Contents

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Important Tips
Be sure that you have the latest version of SENSIT installed.
Download it at http://www.futek.com/sensit/download.aspx
SENSIT release notes can be found on the SENSIT download
page. See link above.
Have FUTEK USB device plugged into computer before
starting SENSIT.
The 14-day free trial provides the Full Version of SENSIT for
a period of 14 days. If a purchase code is entered, the Full
Version will remain permanently.
Sensors with Teflon cables are more prone to wiggling out
of their Hirose connections due to the stiffness of the cable.
Practice caution when placing and moving these sensors.
LED indicators function as follows:
LED INDICATORS
Blinking blue (10 Hz) Module Auto-Calibration
Blinking blue (1 Hz) Module Normal Operation
Green USB Power
Red USB Data Link

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Frequently-Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. WHY IS THERE NO SERIAL NUMBER DISPLAYED?
If there is no serial number in the pull down menu when starting the software, check
the following points below to troubleshoot the USB kit. (See figure 1.)
a. Was the software opened before the blue LED blinked slowly?
The calibration/initialization process occurs when the blue LED blinks rapidly during
initial plug in of the USB kit. The serial number will not be displayed in the start
up screen if the software is opened during this time. It can only be opened when
the blue LED starts to blink slowly. This signifies that the calibration/initialization
process has been completed.
b. Are all three LED’s lit when plugging in the USB?
The green LED signifies that the USB kit is properly powered through the USB port.
The red LED signifies that there is a USB connection between the USB kit and the
computer. If the red LED is not lit, check Windows Device Manager to see if your
computer has installed the proper device drivers for “USB Serial Converter”. You
may need to download the latest DLL from FTDI Chip: http://www.ftdichip.com/
Drivers/D2XX.htm
The 1 Hz blinking blue LED signifies that the microprocessor is operating properly.
Make sure the USB kit is plugged securely in the USB port. If all three LED’s are not
lit when plugging in the USB then the software will not initialize properly.
Figure 1

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2. EVERYTHING INSTALLED CORRECTLY.
WHAT ELSE COULD BE WRONG?
If the software has been installed correctly following the
Software Installation Guide and the USB kit still is not being
recognized, all it may take is a computer restart.
3. WHY DOESN’T ASCII OUTPUT WORK?
If the USB kit has been previously used with the SENSIT USB
Software, it may be in “Command mode”. Re-inserting the
USB will perform a reset, disabling the command mode and
activating the automatic ASCII output mode.
4. MY USB DEVICE WILL NOT RESPOND TO
COMMANDS AFTER I CLOSE THE PROGRAM.
If any software communicating with USB closes unexpectedly,
a reset will be needed for the USB device as it may be stuck in
an unknown state. Unplug and re-plug the device to perform
a reset.
5. WHY IS MY SOFTWARE “NOT RESPONDING”
WHEN I PERFORM A DATA LOGGING TEST?
When the SENSIT USB software is in Data Logging Mode all
of the computer resources are being used to take readings
from the USB device. As a result, the software screen does not
get updated, and will appear as if it is “Not Responding” (see
Figure 2), which is normal. The data logging test will continue
to run in the background for the time originally specified, and
will display the results in the USB software at the end of the
specified time.
Figure 2

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LabVIEW Tips
Be sure to have the DLL bit match that of your LabVIEW
program. (i.e. 32-bit DLL for 32-bit LabVIEW)
In LabVIEW 2015, the FUTEK DLL must be in the same
directory as LabView.exe.
You can get drivers from FTDIchip here:
http://www.ftdichip.com/Drivers/D2XX.htm

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Potential Error Messages
“Conversion from string “Error” to type ‘Integer’ is not
valid.”
If the USB instrument is unable to generate an ADC number
from the sensor’s incoming signal, the word, “Error,” will
instead be sent. SENSIT will generate this error when it
receives the string word, “Error,” instead of an integer number.
Possible causes would be if the internal USB instrument
calibration was incorrect, and the instrument could not
generate an ADC number, or if there was an issue with the
signal from the sensor, such as noise or disconnection.
Figure 3

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Potential Error Messages
“Exception from HRESULT: 0x800A03EC”
This error message can come up during a test in SENSIT when
SENSIT wants to export the information to Excel. There could
be an issue if Excel is not installed, a limited version, or a
click-to-run version downloaded from Microsoft. If your version
of Excel is a click-to-run, an internet search of this version of
Excel can provide more information.
Issue can be solved by saving the test results in .CSV or .TXT
format, or downloading full version of Excel for click-to-run
related errors.
“Column ‘Maximum Physical Value’ does not belong
to table.”
In a prior version of SESNIT, there was an issue with support
for TEDS.
The issue has been solved and the latest version of SENSIT
should be downloaded and installed.
Figure 5
Figure 4

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“There is no row at position XXXXXX”
This is caused by a threading issue during Live Graphing.
This issue has been resolved in later updates of SENSIT. The
latest version should be downloaded and installed.
Figure 6

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Technical Support
If you need to contact FUTEK Technical Support regarding
your SENSIT Software issue, please have the following
information available:
1. Version of the USB software you are using, and either full
or limited version. (i.e. USB Software 2.0.0.0 Full Version.)
2. Microsoft operating system version, Microsoft Excel
version, and operating language. (i.e. Windows 7 64-bit
with Microsoft Excel 2010. English language.)
3. Description of what you were trying to perform in the
SENSIT Software and when you received the error.
(i.e. Live graph, beginning of test)
4. The parameters of any test you were trying to perform.
Also, please have the following if possible:
• A full copy of any error messages you are receiving.
• A full copy of the USB device parameters from
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION in the HELP menu (see
Figure 7 on next page). Both can be sent by email.

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Figure 7

10 Thomas, Irvine, CA 92618 USA
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
www.futek.com