Measurement Computing USB-5200 Series User manual

USB-5201
Thermocouple Measurement and Data Logger
Document Revision 11A
January 2015
©Copyright 2015
User's Guide

2
HM USB-5201
Trademark and Copyright Information
Measurement Computing Corporation, InstaCal, Universal Library, and the Measurement Computing logo are
either trademarks or registered trademarks of MeasurementComputing Corporation. Refer to the Copyrights &
Trademarks section on mccdaq.com/legal for more information about Measurement Computing trademarks.
Other product and company namesmentioned herein are trademarks or trade names of their respective
companies.
©2015 MeasurementComputingCorporation. All rights reserved. No part of this publicationmay be
reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form by any means, electronic,mechanical, by
photocopying, recording, or otherwise without the prior written permission of Measurement Computing
Corporation.
Notice
Measurement Computing Corporation does not authorize any Measurement Computing Corporation product for
use in life support systems and/or devices without prior written consent from Measurement Computing
Corporation. Life support devices/systems are devices or systems that, a) are intended for surgical implantation
into the body, or b) support or sustain life and whose failure to perform can be reasonably expected to result in
injury. Measurement Computing Corporation products are not designed with the components required, and are
not subject to the testing required to ensure a level of reliability suitable for the treatment and diagnosis of
people.

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Table of Contents
Preface
About this Manual.................................................................................................................................5
Conventions........................................................................................................................................................5
Where to find more information.........................................................................................................................5
Chapter 1
Introducing the USB-5201 ....................................................................................................................6
Logging data with the USB-5201 ..................................................................................................................................... 6
Functional block diagram...................................................................................................................................7
Chapter 2
Installing the USB-5201 ........................................................................................................................8
Unpacking...........................................................................................................................................................8
Installing the software ........................................................................................................................................8
Installing the hardware .......................................................................................................................................8
Firmware revision 2.12 and earlier ................................................................................................................................... 8
Firmware revision 3.0 and later ........................................................................................................................................ 8
Configuring the hardware...................................................................................................................................8
Configuring data logging options...................................................................................................................................... 9
Calibrating the hardware.....................................................................................................................................9
Factory calibration............................................................................................................................................................ 9
Field-calibration................................................................................................................................................................ 9
Chapter 3
Sensor Connections ...........................................................................................................................10
Screw terminal pinout.......................................................................................................................................10
Thermocouple inputs .......................................................................................................................................................10
CJC sensors......................................................................................................................................................................10
Digital I/O........................................................................................................................................................................11
Power outputs ..................................................................................................................................................................11
Ground terminals .............................................................................................................................................................11
Thermocouple connections...............................................................................................................................11
Wiring configuration........................................................................................................................................................11
Digital I/O connections.....................................................................................................................................12
Configuring the DIO channels to generate alarms ...........................................................................................................12
Chapter 4
Functional Details ...............................................................................................................................13
Thermocouple measurements...........................................................................................................................13
Cold junction compensation (CJC)..................................................................................................................................13
Data linearization.............................................................................................................................................................13
Open-thermocouple detection (OTD) ..............................................................................................................................13
External components ........................................................................................................................................14
Screw terminals................................................................................................................................................................14
USB connector.................................................................................................................................................................14
LED .................................................................................................................................................................................14
CompactFlash memory card slot......................................................................................................................................15
Data logging button .........................................................................................................................................................16
External power supply......................................................................................................................................16
Disconnecting the USB-5201 from the computer.............................................................................................16
Transferring binary data after a logging session...............................................................................................17
Converting binary data after a logging session.................................................................................................17

USB-5201 User's Guide
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Chapter 5
Specifications......................................................................................................................................18
Analog input.....................................................................................................................................................18
Channel configuration ......................................................................................................................................18
Accuracy...........................................................................................................................................................19
Thermocouple measurement accuracy.............................................................................................................................19
Throughput rate to PC ......................................................................................................................................20
Digital I/O.........................................................................................................................................................20
Temperature alarms..........................................................................................................................................21
Memory ............................................................................................................................................................21
Microcontroller.................................................................................................................................................21
Data logging .....................................................................................................................................................22
Real-time clock.................................................................................................................................................23
USB +5V voltage .............................................................................................................................................23
Power................................................................................................................................................................23
USB specifications ...........................................................................................................................................24
Environmental ..................................................................................................................................................24
Mechanical .......................................................................................................................................................24
Screw terminal connector.................................................................................................................................24
Declaration of Conformity..................................................................................................................26

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Preface
About this Manual
This document describes the Measurement Computing USB-5201 data acquisition device and lists device
specifications.
Conventions
For more information
Text presented in a box signifies additional information related to the subject matter.
Caution! Shaded caution statements present information to help you avoid injuring yourself and others,
damaging your hardware, or losing your data.
bold text Bold text is used for the names of objects on a screen, such as buttons, text boxes, and check boxes.
italic text Italic text is used for the names of manuals and help topic titles, and to emphasize a word or phrase.
Where to find more information
Additional information about USB-5201 hardware is available on our website at www.mccdaq.com. You can
also contact Measurement Computing Corporation with specific questions.
Knowledgebase: kb.mccdaq.com
Tech support form: www.mccdaq.com/support/support_form.aspx
Email: [e-mail]
Phone: [phone] and follow the instructions for reaching Tech Support

For international customers, contact your local distributor. Refer to the International Distributors section on our
website at www.mccdaq.com/International.

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Chapter 1
Introducing the USB-5201
The USB-5201 provides eight differential thermocouple input channels and two integrated cold junction
compensation (CJC) sensors. You can take measurements from type J, K, R, S, T, N, E, and B thermocouples.
An open thermocouple detection feature lets you detect a broken thermocouple. An on-board microprocessor
automatically linearizes the measurement data.
Eight independent, TTL-compatible digital I/O channels are provided to monitor TTL-level inputs,
communicate with external devices, and to generate alarms. The digital I/O channels are software
programmable for input or output.
The USB-5201 features eight independent temperature alarms. Each alarm controls an associated digital I/O
channel as an alarm output. The input to each alarm is one of the temperature input channels. The output of each
alarm is software configurable as active high or low. You set up the temperature threshold conditions to activate
each alarm. When an alarm is activated, the associated DIO channel is driven to the output state.
You can log your measurements to a CompactFlash®memory card. CompactFlash is a removable non-volatile
storage device. A 512 MB CompactFlash memory card is shipped with the device to store your data. For more
information, refer to the section Logging data with the USB-5201 below.
The USB-5201 device is compatible with both USB 1.1 and USB 2.0 ports. The speed of the device may be
limited when using a USB 1.1 port due to the difference in transfer rates on the USB 1.1 versions of the
protocol (low-speed and full-speed).
External power is required for data logging operations
Due to processing limitations, you cannot log data to the memory card when the USB-5201 is connected to your
computer's active USB bus. When operating as a data logger, disconnect the USB cable from the computer, and
connect the external power supply shipped with the device.
The USB-5201 is a standalone plug-and-play device. External power is required for data logging mode only. All
configurable options are software-programmable. The USB-5201 is fully software-calibrated.
Logging data with the USB-5201
The USB-5201 has many software-selectable options for setting up data logging.
You can record:
temperature (°C) or raw data from selected input channels
timestamp data
CJC sensor readings
You can specify the number of seconds between samples. You can begin logging data at power up, when you
press the data logging button, or at a specific date and time.
Data is stored on the memory card in binary files. After logging measurements, you can transfer the files to your
computer. You can use InstaCal to convert the files to .csv format for use in Microsoft Excel files, or to .txt
format for use in other applications.

USB-5201 User's Guide Introducing the USB-5201
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Functional block diagram
USB-5201 functions are illustrated in the block diagram shown here.
Figure 1. Functional block diagram

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Chapter 2
Installing the USB-5201
Unpacking
As with any electronic device, you should take care while handling to avoid damage from static
electricity. Before removing the device from its packaging, ground yourself using a wrist strap or by simply
touching the computer chassis or other grounded object to eliminate any stored static charge.
Contact us immediately if any components are missing or damaged.
Installing the software
Refer to the MCC DAQ Quick Start for instructions on installing the software on the MCC DAQ CD. Refer to
the device product page on the Measurement Computing website for information about the included and
optional software supported by the USB-5201.
Install the software before you install your device
The driver needed to run the USB-5201 is installed with the software. Therefore, you need to install the
software package you plan to use before you install the hardware.
Installing the hardware
To connect the USB-5201 to your system, turn your computer on, and connect the USB cable to a USB port on
your computer or to an external USB hub that is connected to your computer. The USB cable provides power
and communication to the USB-5201.
If you are connecting the USB-5201 to an external self-powered hub, connect the USB hub to the computer
before you connect the device to the hub. This ensures that the device detects the hub as an active USB port.
Firmware revision 2.12 and earlier
When you connect the USB-5201 for the first time, a Found New Hardware dialog opens when the operating
system detects the device. When this balloon or dialog closes, the installation is complete. The device LED
should blink and then remain on; this indicates that communication is established between the device and the
computer.
Firmware revision 3.0 and later
The USB-5201 installs as a composite device with separate devices attached. When you connect the
device for the first time, a Found New Hardware dialog opens as each device interface is detected. This is
normal. For additional information, refer to the "Notes on installing and using the USB-5201 and 18200-80 data
logging devices" that shipped with the USB-5201.
After the device is installed its LED will blink and then remain on. This indicates that communication is
established between the device and the computer.
Configuring the hardware
All hardware configuration options on the USB-5201 are software-selectable. Settings are stored on an isolated
microcontroller in EEPROM – which is non-volatile memory on the USB-5201 – and are loaded on power-up.
The factory default configuration is Type J thermocouple.
Allow the USB-5201 to warm up for 30 minutes before taking measurements. This warm up time minimizes
thermal drift and achieves the specified rated accuracy of measurements.

USB-5201 User's Guide Installing the USB-5201
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Configuring data logging options
The following data logging options are programmable with software.
select the input channels to log
set the data format
set the start mode
set up alarm conditions
copy and convert saved binary files
delete data files
All data logging options are stored on the USB-5201 in non-volatile memory in EEPROM, and are loaded on
power up.
Calibrating the hardware
Factory calibration
The Measurement Computing Manufacturing Test department performs the initial factory calibration. Return
the device to Measurement Computing Corporation when calibration is required. The recommended calibration
interval is one year.
Field-calibration
The USB-5201 supports field-calibration with InstaCal. Calibrate the device whenever the ambient temperature
changes by more than ±10 °C from the last self-calibration.
Allow the USB-5201 to operate for at least 30 minutes before calibrating.

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Chapter 3
Sensor Connections
The USB-5201 supports type types J, K, R, S, T, N, E, and B thermocouples.
Thermocouple selection
The thermocouple type you select depends on your application needs. Review the temperature ranges and
accuracies of each type to determine which is best suited for your application.
Screw terminal pinout
The USB-5201 has four rows of screw terminals – two rows on the top edge of the housing, and two rows on
the bottom edge. Each row has 26 connections. Between each bank of screw terminals are two integrated CJC
sensors used for thermocouple measurements. Signals are identified in Figure 2.
Figure 2. USB-5201 screw terminal pin numbers
Use 16 AWG to 30 AWG wire for your signal connections. Do not connect anything to the pins labeled RSVD.
Tighten screw terminal connections
When making connections to the screw terminals, fully tighten the screw. Simply touching the top of the screw
terminal is not sufficient to make a proper connection.
Thermocouple inputs
You can connect up to eight thermocouples to the differential sensor inputs (C0H/C0L to C7H/C7L).
Thermocouple types J, K, R, S, T, N, E, and B are supported.
CJC sensors
The USB-5201 has two built in high-resolution temperature sensors. One sensor is located on the right side of
the package, and one sensor is located on the left side.