National Instruments USB-TC01 User manual

National Instruments USB-TC01 Manual
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USER GUIDE
NI USB-TC01
Single-Channel Thermocouple Input Module
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The National Instruments USB-TC01 data acquisition (DAQ) device provides a Full-Speed
USB interface for a single thermocouple channel. This user guide describes how to use the
device.
For specifications, refer to the NI USB-TC01 Device Specifications document available at
ni.com/manuals.
Figure 1. NI USB-TC01 Device
Safety Guidelines
The following section contains important safety information that you must follow when
installing and using the NI USB-TC01.
Caution Operate the NI USB-TC01 only as described in these operating
instructions. Misuse of the device can result in a hazard. You can compromise the

safety protection built into the device if the device is damaged in any way. If the
device is damaged, contact National Instruments for repair.
Caution Do not substitute parts or modify the device except as described in this
user guide. Use the device only with the accessories specified in the installation
instructions.
Caution Do not operate the device in an explosive atmosphere or where there may
be flammable gases or fumes. If you must operate the device in such an
environment, it must be in a suitably rated enclosure.
If you need to clean the device, use a dry cloth. Make sure that the device is completely dry
and free from contaminants before returning it to service.
Operate the device only at or below Pollution Degree 2. Pollution is foreign matter in a solid,
liquid, or gaseous state that can reduce dielectric strength or surface resistivity. The following
is a description of pollution degrees:
• Pollution Degree 1 means no pollution or only dry, nonconductive pollution occurs. The
pollution has no influence.
• Pollution Degree 2 means that only nonconductive pollution occurs in most cases.
Occasionally, however, a temporary conductivity caused by condensation must be
expected.
• Pollution Degree 3 means that conductive pollution occurs, or dry, nonconductive
pollution occurs that becomes conductive due to condensation.
You must insulate signal connections for the maximum voltage for which the device is rated.
Do not exceed the maximum ratings for the device. Do not install wiring while the device is
live with electrical signals.
Operate the device at or below the Measurement Category I1. Measurement circuits are
subjected to working voltages2 and transient stresses (overvoltage) from the circuit to which
they are connected during measurement or test. Measurement categories establish standard
impulse withstand voltage levels that commonly occur in electrical distribution systems. The
following is a description of measurement categories:
• Measurement Category I is for measurements performed on circuits not directly
connected to the electrical distribution system referred to as MAINS3 voltage. This
category is for measurements of voltages from specially protected secondary circuits.
1Measurement Category is defined in electrical safety standard IEC 61010-1. Measurement
Category is also referred to as Installation Category.
2Working voltage is the highest rms value of an AC or DC voltage that can occur across any
particular insulation.
3MAINS is defined as a hazardous live electrical supply system that powers equipment. Suitably
rated measuring circuits may be connected to the MAINS for measuring purposes.
2| ni.com | NI USB-TC01 User Guide

Such voltage measurements include signal levels, special equipment, limited-energy parts
of equipment, circuits powered by regulated low-voltage sources, and electronics.
• Measurement Category II is for measurements performed on circuits directly connected
to the electrical distribution system. This category refers to local-level electrical
distribution, such as that provided by a standard wall outlet (for example, 115 V for U.S.
or 230 V for Europe). Examples of Measurement Category II are measurements
performed on household appliances, portable tools, and similar E Series devices.
• Measurement Category III is for measurements performed in the building installation at
the distribution level. This category refers to measurements on hard-wired equipment
such as equipment in fixed installations, distribution boards, and circuit breakers. Other
examples are wiring, including cables, bus-bars, junction boxes, switches, socket-outlets
in the fixed installation, and stationary motors with permanent connections to fixed
installations.
• Measurement Category IV is for measurements performed at the primary electrical
supply installation (<1,000 V). Examples include electricity meters and measurements on
primary overcurrent protection devices and on ripple control units.
Installing the NI USB-TC01
Software support for Windows 7/Vista/XP is provided by the device. No separate driver
installation is required for operation.
Figure 2. NI USB-TC01 Components
1
4
2
3
1. USB Cable
2. NI USB-TC01 Device
3. Thermocouple Input
4. Mini Thermocouple Connector
Complete the following steps to set up the NI USB-TC01:
1. Plug the thermocouple into the thermocouple input on the NI USB-TC01 device. Refer to
the Thermocouple Input section for more information.
2. Connect the NI USB-TC01 USB cable into an available USB port on the computer. On
first connection to the computer, it may take a few seconds for the operating system to
detect and configure the NI USB-TC01 device.
NI USB-TC01 User Guide | © National Instruments | 3

Once the device has been detected, the NI USB-TC01 launch screen will open, as shown in
Figure 3, or a Windows Autoplay dialog will appear allowing you to select
TC01Launcher.exe to run the software.
Note You must connect the NI USB-TC01 to the computer for the launch screen to
open. If the NI USB-TC01 is connected to the computer and the launch screen does
not appear, refer to the NI USB-TC01 support page. The support page is accessible
by going to ni.com/info and entering Info Code USBTC01, or by clicking the
Device Support link on the NI USB-TC01 launch screen.
Note If Autoplay does not start, you can manually run the software by locating the
NI USB-TC01 under My Computer and double-clicking TC01Launcher.exe.
Figure 3. NI USB-TC01 Launch Screen
Through the NI USB-TC01 launch screen, you can graph and log data with the Temperature
Logger, customize the Temperature Logger source code in LabVIEW, and explore other ways
to do more with your NI USB-TC01.
Note When the Temperature Logger or another application accesses the device, the
Current Reading on the NI USB-TC01 launch screen is blocked and does not
update.
LED Indicator
The green LED on the NI USB-TC01 indicates the device status. When the LED is
illuminated, the device is powered and ready for operation. If the LED is not illuminated, the
device is not powered or did not initialize.
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Taking Measurements with Software
Logging Temperature
To log temperature data, complete the following steps:
1. From the NI USB-TC01 launch screen, click Temperature Logger.
2. In the NI USB-TC01 Temperature Logger window that opens, select the Thermocouple
Type and Temperature Units.
3. To capture (log) the temperature readings, select Log Data.
4. Click Start. The NI USB-TC01 acquires and graphs the temperature until you click Stop.
5. Click View Log to open the log file.
Downloading Additional Applications
Additional ready-to-run applications that provide added functionality for your NI USB-TC01
are available as free downloads. You can access these applications by selecting Do More with
your NI USB-TC01 from the NI USB-TC01 launch screen.
Creating Custom Software
In addition to taking measurements with the NI USB-TC01 launch screen, you can also build
custom software for your NI USB-TC01 with LabVIEW and NI-DAQmx driver software.
LabVIEW uses graphical icons and wires that resemble a flowchart, so you can graphically
wire together function blocks to create your own applications for logging data, alarming,
triggering, reporting, and performing real-time data analysis. To learn more, select Do More
with your NI USB-TC01 from the NI USB-TC01 launch screen.
Connecting Input Signals
The NI USB-TC01 provides connection for a single thermocouple. Supported thermocouple
types are J, K, R, S, T, N, E, and B.
The NI USB-TC01 has a two-prong uncompensated thermocouple input that accepts a
standard two-prong male mini thermocouple connector.
Figure 4. NI USB-TC01 Terminal Assignments
TC+TC−
Connect the positive lead of the thermocouple connector to the TC+ terminal, and the negative
lead of the thermocouple connector to the TC- terminal.
NI USB-TC01 User Guide | © National Instruments | 5

If you are unsure which thermocouple lead is positive and which is negative, refer to the
thermocouple documentation or the thermocouple wire spool.
Figure 5. Connecting a Thermocouple Input Signal to the NI USB-TC01
Thermocouple
TC–
TC+
USB-TC01
For best results, NI recommends using insulated or ungrounded thermocouples when possible.
If you need to increase the length of your thermocouple, use the same type of thermocouple
wires to minimize the error introduced by thermal EMFs.
Temperature measurement errors depend in part on the thermocouple type, the temperature
being measured, the accuracy of the thermocouple, and the cold-junction temperature. Error
graphs for each thermocouple type connected to the NI USB-TC01 are provided in the
NI USB-TC01 Device Specifications document, available at ni.com/manuals.
NI USB-TC01 Circuitry
The NI USB-TC01 device’s thermocouple channel passes through a differential filter and is
sampled by a 20-bit analog-to-digital converter (ADC), as shown in the following figure.
Figure 6. NI USB-TC01 Input Circuitry
3.3 V
10 MΩ
Isolated
GND
TC
Low pass filter
and
protection
Isolated
ADC
TC+
TC−
10 MΩ
Thermocouple Measurement Accuracy
Temperature measurement errors depend in part on the thermocouple type, the temperature
being measured, the accuracy of the thermocouple, and the cold-junction temperature sensing
accuracy.
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Thermocouple Input
The NI USB-TC01 supports the J, K, R, S, T, N, E, and B thermocouple types. The
thermocouple input supports the standard mini thermocouple connector.
Figure 7. Mini Thermocouple Connector
If your thermocouple has bare wire leads, you can purchase a screw terminal mini
thermocouple connector to use with the NI USB-TC01. For the best accuracy, the mini
thermocouple connector type and thermocouple type should match.
Open Thermocouple Detection (OTD)
The NI USB-TC01 is equipped with open thermocouple detection. With OTD, any open-
circuit condition at the thermocouple sensor is detected by the software. An open channel is
detected by driving the input voltage to a positive value outside the range of the thermocouple
output.
If an open thermocouple is detected, the NI USB-TC01 software displays a message and lists
the internal CJC temperature, as shown in the following figure.
NI USB-TC01 User Guide | © National Instruments | 7

Figure 8. NI USB-TC01 Software Open Thermocouple Message
Note During an open thermocouple condition, some invalid values may be
returned before the open thermocouple is reported.
Cold-Junction Temperature Measurement
Accuracy
Heat from other nearby heat sources can cause errors in thermocouple measurements by
heating up the terminals so that they are at a different temperature than the cold-junction
compensation (CJC) sensor used to measure the cold junction.
Minimizing Thermal Gradients
Thermocouple wire can be a significant source of thermal gradients if it conducts heat or cold
directly to terminal junctions. To minimize these errors, use the following guidelines:
• Use small-gauge thermocouple wire. Smaller wire transfers less heat to or from the
measuring junction.
• Avoid running thermocouple wires near hot or cold objects.
• If you connect any extension wires to thermocouple wires, use wires made of the same
conductive material.
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Where to Go from Here
Technical Support on the Web
The NI USB-TC01 online support page contains links to the most recent product
documentation, drivers and updates, KnowledgeBase documents, tutorials, and example code.
The NI USB-TC01 support page is accessible from the NI USB-TC01 launch screen by
selecting the Device Support link or from ni.com/info by entering Info Code USBTC01.
Training Courses
If you need more help getting started developing an application with NI products, NI offers
training courses. To enroll in a course or obtain a detailed course outline, refer to ni.com/
training.
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 1 866 ASK MYNI (275 6964). 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.
NI USB-TC01 User Guide | © National Instruments | 9