National Instruments NI 9215 User manual

OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS AND SPECIFICATIONS
NI 9215
4-Channel, ±10 V, 16-Bit Simultaneous Analog
Input Module
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NI 9215 Operating Instructions and Specifications 2 ni.com
This document describes how to use the National Instruments 9215
and includes specifications and terminal assignments for the
NI 9215. In this document, the NI 9215 with screw terminal and
NI 9215 with BNC are referred to inclusively as the NI 9215. Visit
ni.com/info and enter rdsoftwareversion to determine
which software youneed for the modules youare using. For
information about installing, configuring, and programming the
system, refer to the system documentation. Visit ni.com/info
and enter cseriesdoc for information about C Series
documentation.
Note The safety guidelines and specifications in this
document are specific to the NI 9215. The other
components in the system might not meet the same safety
ratings and specifications. Refer to the documentation for
each component in the system to determine the safety
ratings and specifications for the entire system. Visit
ni.com/info and enter cseriesdoc for information
about C Series documentation.
Safety Guidelines
Operate the NI 9215 only as described in these operating
instructions.

© National Instruments Corp. 3 NI 9215 Operating Instructions and Specifications
Hot Surface This icon denotes that the component may be
hot. Touching this component may result in bodily injury.
Safety Guidelines for Hazardous Voltages
Yo ucan connect hazardous voltages only to the NI 9215 with
screw terminal. Do not connect hazardous voltages to the NI 9215
with BNC.
If hazardous voltages are connected to the module, take the
following precautions. A hazardous voltage is a voltage greater
than 42.4 Vpk or 60 VDC to earth ground.
Caution Ensure that hazardous voltage wiring is
performed only by qualified personnel adhering to local
electrical standards.
Caution Do not mix hazardous voltage circuits and
human-accessible circuits on the same module.
Caution Make sure that devices and circuits connected to
the module are properly insulated from human contact.
Caution When module terminals are hazardous voltage
LIVE (>42.4 Vpk/60 VDC), youmust ensure that devices

NI 9215 Operating Instructions and Specifications 4 ni.com
and circuits connected to the module are properly
insulated from human contact. Youmust use the NI 9932
connector backshell kit to ensure that the terminals are
not accessible.
Figure 1 shows the NI 9932 connector backshell.
Note Youcan use the NI 9932 connector backshell only
with the NI 9215 with screw terminal.
Figure 1. NI 9932 Connector Backshell

© National Instruments Corp. 5 NI 9215 Operating Instructions and Specifications
Safety Guidelines for Hazardous Locations
The NI 9215 is suitable for use in Class I, Division 2, Groups A, B,
C, D, and T4 hazardous locations; Class I, Zone 2, AEx nC IIC T4
and Ex nC IIC T4 hazardous locations; and nonhazardous locations
only. Follow these guidelines if youare installing the NI 9215 in a
potentially explosive environment. Not following these guidelines
may result in serious injury or death.
Caution Do not disconnect I/O-side wires or connectors
unless power has been switched off or the area is known
to be nonhazardous.
Caution Do not remove modules unless power has been
switched off or the area is known to be nonhazardous.
Caution Substitution of components may impair
suitability for Class I, Division 2.
Caution For Zone 2 applications, install the system
in an enclosure rated to at least IP 54 as defined by
IEC 60529 and EN 60529.

NI 9215 Operating Instructions and Specifications 6 ni.com
Caution For Zone 2 applications, connected signals must
be within the following limit:
Capacitance .......................... 0.2 μF max
Special Conditions for Hazardous Locations Use in Europe
This equipment has been evaluated as EEx nC IIC T4 equipment
under DEMKO Certificate No. 03 ATEX 0324020X. Each module
is marked II 3G and is suitable for use in Zone 2 hazardous
locations. If youare using the NI 9215 in Gas Group IIC hazardous
locations or in ambient temperatures of –40 °C ≤Ta ≤70 °C, you
must use the device in an NI chassis that has been evaluated as
Ex nA IIC T4 equipment.
Special Conditions for Marine Applications
Some modules are Lloyd’s Register (LR) Type Approved for
marine applications. To verify Lloyd’s Register certification, go
to ni.com/certification and search for the LR certificate,
or look for the Lloyd’s Register mark on the module.

© National Instruments Corp. 7 NI 9215 Operating Instructions and Specifications
Caution To meet radio frequency emission requirements
for marine applications, use shielded cables and install
the system in a metal enclosure. Suppression ferrites
must be installed on power supply inputs near power
entries to modules and controllers. Power supply and
module cables must be separated on opposite sides of
the enclosure, and must enter and exit through opposing
enclosure walls.

NI 9215 Operating Instructions and Specifications 8 ni.com
Connecting the NI 9215
The NI 9215 provides connections for four differential analog
input channels.
Figure 2. Terminal Assignments of the NI 9215 with Screw Terminal
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
AI0+
AI0–
AI1+
AI1–
AI2+
AI2–
AI3+
AI3–
NC
COM

© National Instruments Corp. 9 NI 9215 Operating Instructions and Specifications
Figure 3. Connector Assignments of the NI 9215 with BNC
AI3+
AI3–
AI2+
AI2–
AI0+
AI0–
AI1+
AI1–

NI 9215 Operating Instructions and Specifications 10 ni.com
The NI 9215 with screw terminal has a 10-terminal detachable
screw-terminal connector. The NI 9215 with BNC has four BNC
connectors.
Each channel of the NI 9215 has an AI+ terminal or shield to which
youcan connect the positive voltage signal, and an AI– terminal or
shield to which youcan connect the negative voltage signal. The
NI 9215 with screw terminal also has a common terminal, COM,
that is internally connected to the isolated ground reference of the
module.
Note Youmust use 2-wire ferrules to create a secure
connection when connecting more than one wire to a
single terminal on the NI 9215 with screw terminal.

© National Instruments Corp. 11 NI 9215 Operating Instructions and Specifications
Connecting Differential Voltage Signals to the NI 9215
Yo ucan connect grounded or floating differential signals to the
NI 9215. Connect the positive voltage signal to AI+ and the
negative voltage signal to AI–. To connect grounded differential
signals to the NI 9215 with screw terminal, youmust also connect
the signal reference to the COM terminal, as shown in Figure 4.
Figure 4. Connecting a Grounded Differential Voltage Signal to
the NI 9215 with Screw Terminal
Voltage
Source
+
–
AI+
AI–
COM NI 9215 with
Screw Terminal

NI 9215 Operating Instructions and Specifications 12 ni.com
To connect floating differential signals to the NI 9215 with screw
terminal, youmust connect the negative lead of the signal to COM
through a 1 MΩresistor to keep the voltage source within the
common-mode voltage range, as shown in Figure 5. If the voltage
source is outside of the common-mode range, then the NI 9215
does not read data accurately. The NI 9215 with BNC has internal
circuitry that keeps the voltage source within the common-mode
range. For more information about the common-mode voltage
range, refer to the Specifications section.
Figure 5. Connecting a Floating Differential Voltage Signal to the
NI 9215 with Screw Terminal
1 MΩ
Resistor NI 9215 with
Screw Terminal
AI+
AI–
COM
Voltage
Source
+
–

© National Instruments Corp. 13 NI 9215 Operating Instructions and Specifications
Connecting Single-Ended Voltage Signals to the
NI 9215
To connect single-ended voltage signals to the NI 9215 with screw
terminal, youmust also connect the ground signal to the COM
terminal to keep the common-mode voltage in the specified range,
as shown in Figure 6. For more information about the
common-mode voltage range, refer to the Specifications section.
Figure 6. Connecting a Single-Ended Voltage Signal to the
NI 9215 with Screw Terminal
+
–
AI+
AI–
COM
Voltage
Source
NI 9215 with
Screw Terminal

NI 9215 Operating Instructions and Specifications 14 ni.com
Wiring for High Vibration Applications
If an application using the NI 9215 with screw terminal is subject
to high vibration, National Instruments recommends that you
either use ferrules to terminate wires to the detachable
screw-terminal connector or use the NI 9932 backshell kit to
protect the connections. Refer to Figure 7 for an illustration of
using ferrules. Refer to Figure 1 for an illustration of the NI 9932
connector backshell.
Figure 7. 10-Terminal Detachable Screw-Terminal Connector with a Ferrule

© National Instruments Corp. 15 NI 9215 Operating Instructions and Specifications
NI 9215 Circuitry
The NI 9215 channels share a common ground that is isolated from
other modules in the system. The NI 9215 protects each channel
from overvoltages. For more information about overvoltage
protection, refer to the Specifications section. The incoming analog
signal on each channel is buffered and conditioned by the
instrumentation amplifier and is then sampled by a 16-bit ADC.
The channels have independent track-and-hold amplifiers that
allow youto sample all four channels simultaneously. Refer to
Figures 8 and 9 for input circuitry illustrations of the NI 9215 with
screw terminal and the NI 9215 with BNC.

NI 9215 Operating Instructions and Specifications 16 ni.com
Figure 8. Input Circuitry for One Channel on the NI 9215 with Screw Terminal
COM
AI +
AI –
NI 9215 with Screw Terminal
Isolated
ADC
Overvoltage
Protection
Overvoltage
Protection
Instrumentation
Amplifier
+
–

© National Instruments Corp. 17 NI 9215 Operating Instructions and Specifications
The NI 9215 with BNC has a resistor that ensures the input voltage
does not drift outside of the common-mode range.
Figure 9. Input Circuitry for One Channel on the NI 9215 with BNC
AI +
AI –
Isolated
ADC
NI 9215 with BNC
+
–
Instrumentation
Amplifier
100 kΩ
Overvoltage
Protection
Overvoltage
Protection

NI 9215 Operating Instructions and Specifications 18 ni.com
Sleep Mode
This module supports a low-power sleep mode. Support for sleep
mode at the system level depends on the chassis that the module is
plugged into. Refer to the chassis manual for information about
support for sleep mode. If the chassis supports sleep mode, refer to
the software help for information about enabling sleep mode. Visit
ni.com/info and enter cseriesdoc for information about C
Series documentation.
Typically, when a system is in sleep mode, youcannot
communicate with the modules. In sleep mode, the system
consumes minimal power and may dissipate less heat than it does
in normal mode. Refer to the Specifications section for more
information about power consumption and thermal dissipation.

© National Instruments Corp. 19 NI 9215 Operating Instructions and Specifications
Specifications
The following specifications are typical for the range –40 to 70 °C
unless otherwise noted.
Input Characteristics
Number of channels .......................... 4 analog input channels
ADC resolution ................................. 16 bits
Type of ADC..................................... Successive approximation
register (SAR)
Input range ........................................ ±10.0 V

NI 9215 Operating Instructions and Specifications 20 ni.com
Input voltage ranges1
1 Refer to the Safety Guidelines section for more information about safe operating
voltages.
Measurement Voltage,
AI+ to AI–
Maximum Voltage
(Signal + Common Mode)
Minimum*
(V)
Typical
(V)
Maximum
(V)
Screw
Ter min al BNC
±10.2 ±10.4 ±10.6 Each channel
must remain
within
±10.2 V of
common.
All inputs
must remain
within 10.2 V
of the average
AI–inputs.
*The minimum measurement voltage range is the largest voltage the NI 9215 is
guaranteed to accurately measure.