National Instruments NI 9265 Use and care manual

CALIBRATION PROCEDURE
NI 9265
4-Channel, 0–20 mA, 16-Bit Analog Current Output Module
This document contains the verification and adjustment procedures for the National Instruments
9265. For more information on calibration solutions, visit ni.com/calibration.
Contents
Software.................................................................................................................................... 1
Documentation.......................................................................................................................... 2
Test Equipment......................................................................................................................... 3
Test Conditions......................................................................................................................... 3
Initial Setup............................................................................................................................... 3
Verification............................................................................................................................... 4
Accuracy Verification....................................................................................................... 4
Adjustment................................................................................................................................ 5
Accuracy Adjustment ....................................................................................................... 5
EEPROM Update ..................................................................................................................... 6
Reverification ........................................................................................................................... 6
Accuracy Under Calibration Conditions .................................................................................. 6
Worldwide Support and Services ............................................................................................. 7
Software
Calibrating the NI 9265 requires the installation of NI-DAQmx 9.6 or later on the calibration
system. You can download NI-DAQmx from ni.com/downloads. NI-DAQmx supports
LabVIEW, LabWindows™/CVI™, ANSI C, and .NET. When you install NI-DAQmx, you only
need to install support for the application software that you intend to use.

2|ni.com |NI 9265 Calibration Procedure
Documentation
Consult the following documents for information about the NI 9265, NI-DAQmx, and your
application software. All documents are available on ni.com and help files install with the
software.
NI cDAQ-9174/9178 USB Chassis Quick Start
NI-DAQmx installation and hardware setup
NI 9265 Operating Instructions and Specifications
NI 9265 specific information, specifications, and calibration interval
NI-DAQmx Readme
Operating system and application software support in NI-DAQmx
LabVIEW Help
LabVIEW programming concepts and reference information about NI-DAQmx
VIs and functions
NI-DAQmx C Reference Help
Reference information for NI-DAQmx C functions and NI-DAQmx C properties
NI-DAQmx .NET Help Support for Visual Studio
Reference information for NI-DAQmx .NET methods and NI-DAQmx .NET
properties, key concepts, and a C enum to .NET enum mapping table

NI 9265 Calibration Procedure |© National Instruments Corporation |3
Test Equipment
National Instruments recommends that you use the equipment in Table 1 for calibrating the
NI 9265. If the recommended equipment is not available, select a substitute using the
requirements listed in Table 1.
Test Conditions
The following setup and environmental conditions are required to ensure the NI 9265 meets
published specifications.
• Keep connections to the NI 9265 as short as possible. Long cables and wires act as
antennae, picking up extra noise that can affect measurements.
• Verify that all connections to the NI 9265 are secure.
• Use shielded copper wire for all cable connections to the NI 9265. Use twisted-pair wire to
eliminate noise and thermal offsets.
• Maintain an ambient temperature of 23 °C ±5 °C. The NI 9265 temperature will be greater
than the ambient temperature.
• Keep relative humidity below 80%.
• Allow a warm-up time of at least 10 minutes to ensure that the NI 9265 measurement
circuitry is at a stable operating temperature.
Initial Setup
Complete the following steps to set up the NI 9265.
1. Install NI-DAQmx.
2. Make sure that the NI cDAQ-9178 power source is not connected.
3. Insert the module into slot 8 of the NI cDAQ-9178 chassis. Leave slots 1 through 7 of the
NI cDAQ-9178 chassis empty.
4. Connect the NI cDAQ-9178 chassis to your host computer.
5. Connect the power source to the NI cDAQ-9178 chassis.
6. Launch Measurement & Automation Explorer (MAX).
7. Right-click the device name and select Self-Test to ensure that the device is working properly.
Table 1. Recommended Equipment
Equipment
Recommended
Model Requirements
DMM NI 4070 DMM Use a multiranging 6 1/2 digit DMM with a DC
current measurement accuracy of 400 ppm.
Chassis NI cDAQ-9178 —
Bench-Top
Power Supply
—9 VDC to 36 VDC output voltage.

4|ni.com |NI 9265 Calibration Procedure
Verification
The following performance verification procedure describes the sequence of operation and
provides test points required to verify the NI 9265. The verification procedure assumes that
adequate traceable uncertainties are available for the calibration references.
Accuracy Verification
Complete the following steps to determine the As-Found status of the NI 9265.
1. Set the DMM to Standby mode (STBY).
2. Connect the NI 9265 to the bench-top power supply and the DMM as shown in Figure 1.
Figure 1. NI 9265 Current Accuracy Connections
3. Set the DMM to read DC current in the 20 mA range.
4. Acquire a sample.
a. Create and configure an AO current task on the NI 9265 according to Table 2.
b. Start the task.
c. Generate a current output according to Table 3.
d. Wait the appropriate amount of time for the DMM measurement to settle.
e. Read the NI 9265 output current measurement from the DMM.
f. Clear the task.
Table 2. NI 9265 Configuration for Current Accuracy Verification
Range (A)
Scaled Units Custom ScaleMinimum Maximum
00.02 Amps None
Table 3. NI 9265 Output Configuration
Samples Per Channel Timeout
110.0
NI 9265
DMM
HI
LO
Power Supply
+
–
COMx
AOx
Power Supply COM
V sup

NI 9265 Calibration Procedure |© National Instruments Corporation |5
5. Compare the DMM measurement to the test limits in Table 4.
6. Repeat steps 3 through 5 for each test point in Table 4.
7. Disconnect the DMM and bench-top power supply from the NI 9265.
8. Repeat steps 1 through 7 for each channel on the NI 9265.
Adjustment
The following adjustment procedure describes the sequence of operation required to adjust the
NI 9265.
Accuracy Adjustment
Complete the following procedure to adjust the accuracy of the NI 9265.
1. Adjust the NI 9265.
a. Initialize a calibration session on the NI 9265. The default password is NI.
b. Input the external temperature in degrees Celsius.
c. Call the NI 9265 get C Series adjustment points function to obtain an array of
recommended calibration currents for the NI 9265.
d. Connect the DMM and the bench-top power supply to the NI 9265 as shown in Figure 1.
e. Set the DMM to read DC current in the 20 mA range.
f. Call and configure the NI 9265 setup calibration function with the DAC value
obtained from the array of recommended calibration currents.
g. Wait the appropriate amount of time for the DMM measurement to settle.
h. Read the NI 9265 output current measurement from the DMM.
i. Call and configure the NI 9265 adjustment function according to Table 5.
j. Repeat steps f to i for each calibration current in the array.
k. Close the calibration session.
l. Disconnect the DMM from the NI 9265.
2. Repeat step 1 for each channel on the NI 9265.
Table 4. NI 9265 Test Limits for Current Accuracy Verification
Output Range (mA) Test Point 1-Year Limits
Min Max Location
Value
(mA)
Lower Limit
(mA)
Upper Limit
(mA)
0 20 Minimum 10.973868 1.026132
0 20 Maximum 19 18.955868 19.044132
Table 5. Adjustment Configuration
Physical Channel Reference Value
cDAQMod8/aoxThe NI 9265 output curent measured from the DMM.

6|ni.com |NI 9265 Calibration Procedure
EEPROM Update
When an adjustment procedure is completed, the NI 9265 internal calibration memory
(EEPROM) is immediately updated.
If you do not want to perform an adjustment, you can update the calibration date and onboard
calibration temperature without making any adjustments by initializing an external calibration,
setting the C Series calibration temperature, and closing the external calibration.
Reverification
Repeat the Verification section to determine the As-Left status of the device.
Note If any test fails Reverification after performing an adjustment, verify that you
have met the Test Conditions before returning your device to NI. Refer to Worldwide
Support and Services for assistance in returning the device to NI.
Accuracy Under Calibration Conditions
The values in the following table are based on calibrated scaling coefficients, which are stored
in the onboard EEPROM.
The following accuracy table is valid for calibration under the following conditions:
• Ambient temperature 23 °C ±5 °C
• NI 9265 installed in slot 8 of an NI cDAQ-9178 chassis
• Slots 1 through 7 of the NI cDAQ-9178 chassis are empty
Note The test limits listed in Table 4 are derived using the values in Table 6.
Note For operational specifications, refer to the most recent NI 9265 Operating
Instructions and Specifications online at ni.com/manuals.
Table 6. NI 9265 Accuracy Under Calibration Conditions
Percentage of Reading (Gain Error) Percentage of Range* (Offset Error)
0.100% 0.122%
* Range equals 20.6 mA.

© 2008–2013 National Instruments. All rights reserved.
372667B-01 Aug13
Refer to the NI Trademarks and Logo Guidelines at ni.com/trademarks for more information on National Instruments trademarks. Other
product and company names mentioned herein are trademarks or trade names of their respective companies. For patents covering National
Instruments products/technology, refer to the appropriate location: Help»Patents in your software, the patents.txt file on your media, or the
National Instruments Patents Notice at ni.com/patents. You can find information about end-user license agreements (EULAs) and third-party
legal notices in the readme file for your NI product. Refer to the Export Compliance Information at ni.com/legal/export-compliance
for the National Instruments global trade compliance policy and how to obtain relevant HTS codes, ECCNs, and other import/export data.
Worldwide Support and Services
The National Instruments website is your complete resource for technical support. At ni.com/
support you have access to everything from troubleshooting and application development
self-help resources to email and phone assistance from NI Application Engineers.
Visit ni.com/services for NI Factory Installation Services, repairs, extended warranty, and
other services.
Visit ni.com/register to register your National Instruments product. Product registration
facilitates technical support and ensures that you receive important information updates from NI.
A Declaration of Conformity (DoC) is our claim of compliance with the Council of the European
Communities using the manufacturer’s declaration of conformity. This system affords the user
protection for electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) and product safety. You can obtain the DoC
for your product by visiting ni.com/certification. If your product supports calibration,
you can obtain the calibration certificate for your product at ni.com/calibration.
National Instruments corporate headquarters is located at 11500 North Mopac Expressway,
Austin, Texas, 78759-3504. National Instruments also has offices located around the world. For
telephone support in the United States, create your service request at ni.com/support or dial
512 795 8248. For telephone support outside the United States, visit the Worldwide Offices
section of ni.com/niglobal to access the branch office websites, which provide up-to-date
contact information, support phone numbers, email addresses, and current events.