Measurement Computing PCI-DAS-TS User manual

PCI-DAS-TC
Thermocouple Input Board
User's Guide
Document Revision 5, April, 2009
© Copyright 2009, Measurement Computing Corporation

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HM PCI-DAS-TC.doc
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Table of Contents
Preface
About this User's Guide.......................................................................................................................6
What you will learn from this user's guide.........................................................................................................6
Conventions in this user's guide........................................................................................................................................ 6
Where to find more information ....................................................................................................................................... 6
Chapter 1
Introducing the PCI-DAS-TC................................................................................................................7
Overview: PCI-DAS-TC features.......................................................................................................................7
Software features................................................................................................................................................7
Chapter 2
Installing the PCI-DAS-TC....................................................................................................................8
What comes with your PCI-DAS-TC shipment?................................................................................................8
Hardware .......................................................................................................................................................................... 8
Additional documentation................................................................................................................................................. 8
Optional components........................................................................................................................................................ 8
Unpacking the PCI-DAS-TC..............................................................................................................................9
Installing the software ........................................................................................................................................9
Installing the PCI-DAS-TC ................................................................................................................................9
Configuring the PCI-DAS-TC..........................................................................................................................10
Connecting the board for I/O operations ..........................................................................................................10
Connectors, cables –main I/O connector.........................................................................................................................10
Pin out –main I/O connector...........................................................................................................................................10
Field wiring, signal termination and conditioning ...........................................................................................................11
Chapter 3
Functional Details...............................................................................................................................12
PCI-DAS-TC Block diagram............................................................................................................................12
CIO-STA-TC screw terminal adapter board.....................................................................................................13
Open thermocouple detection ..........................................................................................................................................13
Theory of operation..........................................................................................................................................13
Isolated analog inputs ......................................................................................................................................................13
Processing and control.....................................................................................................................................................14
Process flow.....................................................................................................................................................................14
Chapter 4
Specifications......................................................................................................................................15
Analog input.....................................................................................................................................................15
Accuracy and resolution ..................................................................................................................................................15
Miscellaneous...................................................................................................................................................16
Crystal oscillator...............................................................................................................................................16
CIO-STA-TC adapter .......................................................................................................................................16
Calibration error ...............................................................................................................................................16
Linearity error...................................................................................................................................................17
Power consumption ..........................................................................................................................................17
Environmental ..................................................................................................................................................17
Main connector and pin-out..............................................................................................................................17
Declaration of Conformity..................................................................................................................19

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Preface
About this User's Guide
What you will learn from this user's guide
This user's guide explains how to install, configure, and use the PCI-DAS-TC so that you get the most out of the
thermocouple/voltage input features.
This user's guide also refers you to related documents available on our web site, and to technical support
resources.
Conventions in this user's guide
For more information on …
Text presented in a box signifies additional information and helpful hints related to the subject matter you are
reading.
Caution! Shaded caution statements present information to help you avoid injuring yourself and others,
damaging your hardware, or losing your data.
< : > Angle brackets that enclose numbers separated by a colon signify a range of numbers, such as those assigned
to registers, bit settings, etc.
bold text Bold text is used for the names of objects on the screen, such as buttons, text boxes, and check boxes. For
example:
1. Insert the disk or CD and click the OK button.
italic text Italic text is used for the names of manuals and help topic titles, and to emphasize a word or phrase. For
example:
The InstaCal installation procedure is explained in the Quick Start Guide.
Never touch the exposed pins or circuit connections on the board.
Where to find more information
The following electronic documents provide information relevant to the operation of your PCI-DAS-TC.
MCC's Specifications: PCI-DAS-TC (the PDF version of the Specifications chapter in this guide) is
available on our web site at www.mccdaq.com/pdfs/Specs/PCI-DAS-TC-spec.pdf.
MCC's Quick Start Guide is available on our web site at
www.mccdaq.com/PDFmanuals/DAQ-Software-Quick-Start.pdf.
MCC's Guide to Signal Connections is available on our web site at
www.mccdaq.com/signals/signals.pdf.
MCC's Universal Library User's Guide is available on our web site at
www.mccdaq.com/PDFmanuals/sm-ul-user-guide.pdf.
MCC's Universal Library Function Reference is available on our web site at
www.mccdaq.com/PDFmanuals/sm-ul-functions.pdf.
MCC's Universal Library for LabVIEW™User’s Guide is available on our web site at
www.mccdaq.com/PDFmanuals/SM-UL-LabVIEW.pdf.
PCI-DAS-TC User's Guide (this document) is also available on our web site at
www.mccdaq.com/PDFmanuals/PCI-DAS-TC.pdf.

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Chapter 1
Introducing the PCI-DAS-TC
Overview: PCI-DAS-TC features
The PCI-DAS-TC is a 16-channel thermocouple/voltage input board for the PCI bus. The board accepts seven
different types of thermocouple input, J, K, E, T, R, S, and B. Its digital output is scaled for temperature in
either ºC or ºF. An onboard microprocessor handles all the control and math functions, including: CJC (Cold
Junction Compensation), automatic gain and offset calibration, scaling (voltage to temperature translation) and
thermocouple linearization. This relieves the computer from performing all these functions. The analog input
section is electrically isolated from the computer.
The PCI-DAS-TC is designed for use with the CIO-STA-TC adapter board. The CIO-STA-TC is an external
screw terminal board for thermocouple connections. This adapter board provides screw terminals for each
thermocouple input channel on the PCI-DAS-TC. A cold junction compensation (CJC) sensor is integrated into
an isothermal bar to maintain the screw terminals at a constant temperature. You can configure open
thermocouple detection (OTD) for each input channel with on-board switches. The CIO-STA-TC screw
terminal board is mounted in an enclosure to minimize errors caused by local currents or air drafts.
The PCI-DAS-TC board is shipped fully-calibrated from the factory, with calibration coefficients stored in
nonvolatile RAM. At run-time, these calibration factors are loaded into system memory and automatically
retrieved each time a different range is specified.
The PCI-DAS-TC is available by itself (MCC part number PCI-DAS-TC/BRD), or as part of a kit that includes
the CIO-STA-TC screw terminal adapter board and a five foot shielded cable. The MCC part number for the kit
is PCI-DAS-TC.
Software features
For information on the features of InstaCal and the other software included with your PCI-DAS-TC, refer to the
Quick Start Guide that shipped with your device. The Quick Start Guide is also available in PDF at
www.mccdaq.com/PDFmanuals/DAQ-Software-Quick-Start.pdf.
Check www.mccdaq.com/download.htm for the latest software version or versions of the software supported
under less commonly used operating systems.

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Chapter 2
Installing the PCI-DAS-TC
What comes with your PCI-DAS-TC shipment?
The following items are shipped with the PCI-DAS-TC.
Hardware
PCI-DAS-TC
Additional documentation
In addition to this hardware user's guide, you should also receive the Quick Start Guide (available in PDF at
www.mccdaq.com/PDFmanuals/DAQ-Software-Quick-Start.pdf). This booklet supplies a brief description of
the software you received with your PCI-DAS-TC and information regarding installation of that software.
Please read this booklet completely before installing any software or hardware.
Optional components
PCI-DAS-TC is also available as a kit (MCC part number PCI-DAS-TC)
If you ordered this kit, the optional components listed here are included with your shipment (screw terminal
board and 5-foot shielded cable).
CIO-STA-TC screw terminal board with CJC and isothermal block (included with the PCI-DAS-TC kit).
CIO-STA-TC

PCI-DAS-TC User's Guide Installing the PCI-DAS-TC
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C37FFS-x shielded cable (5 foot shielded cable included with the PCI-DAS-TC kit)
C37FFS-x
Unpacking the PCI-DAS-TC
As with any electronic device, you should take care while handling to avoid damage from static
electricity. Before removing the PCI-DAS-TC 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.
If any components are missing or damaged, notify Measurement Computing Corporation immediately by
phone, fax, or e-mail:
Phone: [phone] and follow the instructions for reaching Tech Support.
Fax: [phone] to the attention of Tech Support
Email: [e-mail]
Installing the software
Refer to the Quick Start Guide for instructions on installing the software on the Measurement Computing Data
Acquisition Software CD. This booklet is available in PDF at www.mccdaq.com/PDFmanuals/DAQ-Software-
Quick-Start.pdf.
Installing the PCI-DAS-TC
The PCI-DAS-TC board is completely plug-and-play. There are no switches or jumpers to set on the board.
Configuration is controlled by your system's BIOS. To install your board, follow the steps below.
Install the MCC DAQ software before you install your board
The driver needed to run your board is installed with the MCC DAQ software. Therefore, you need to install the
MCC DAQ software before you install your board. Refer to the Quick Start Guide for instructions on installing
the software.
1. Turn your computer off, open it up, and insert your board into an available PCI slot.
If you received the CIO-STA-TC adapter board, connect it now. Plug one cable end into the 37-pin
connector on the PCI-DAS-TC, and plug the other cable end into the 37-pin connector on the CIO-STA-TC
adapter board.
2. Close your computer and turn it on.
If you are using an operating system with support for plug-and-play (such as Windows 2000 or
Windows XP), a dialog box opens as the system loads, indicating that new hardware has been detected. If
the information file for this board is not already loaded onto your PC, you are prompted for the disk
containing this file. The Measurement Computing Data Acquisition Software CD supplied with your board
contains this file. If required, insert the disk or CD and click OK

PCI-DAS-TC User's Guide Installing the PCI-DAS-TC
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3. To test your installation and configure your board, run the InstaCal utility you installed in the previous
section. Refer to the Quick Start Guide that came with your board for information on how to initially set up
and load InstaCal.
Configuring the PCI-DAS-TC
All hardware configuration options on the PCI-DAS-TC are software controlled. You can select some of the
configuration options using InstaCal, such as the thermocouple type, CJC on/off, voltage or thermocouple gain,
and temperature units. Once selected, any program that uses the Universal Library will initialize the hardware
according to these selections.
Connecting the board for I/O operations
Connectors, cables –main I/O connector
The table below lists the board connector, applicable cable and compatible accessory equipment for the PCI-
DAS-TC board.
Board connector, applicable cable, and accessory equipment
Connector type
37-pin D-type
Compatible cable
C37FFS-x (Figure 2)
Compatible accessory product with the C37FFS-x
CIO-STA-TC screw terminal adapter board
Pin out –main I/O connector
None
CH14 HI
CH7 LO
CH13 LO
CH13 HI
CH11 LO
CH11 HI
CH9 LO
CH9 HI
CH7 HI
CH5 LO
CH5 HI
CH3 LO
CH3 HI
CHh1 LO
CH1 HI
CJC INPUT
+15V Isolated Voltage Source
CH15 LO
CH14 LO
Analog Ground
CH12 LO
CH12 HI
CH10 LO
CH10 HI
CH8 LO
CH8 HI
CH6 LO
CH6 HI
CH4 LO
CH4 HI
CH2 LO
CH2 HI
CH0 LO
Figure 1. 37-pin board connector