This document describes how to use the National Instruments 9211E
and includes dimensions, terminal assignments, and specifications for
the NI 9211E. Visit ni.com/info and enter rdsoftwareversion
to determine which software you need for the modules you are using.
For information about installing, configuring, and programming the
system, refer to the system documentation. Visit
enter
cseriesdoc for information about C Series documentation.
Caution National Instruments makes no electromagnetic
ni.com/info and
compatibility (EMC) or CE marking compliance claims
for the NI 9211E. The end-product supplier is responsible
for conformity to any and all compliance requirements.
Caution The NI 9211E must be installed inside a suitable
enclosure prior to use. Hazardous voltages may be
present.
NI 9211E Operating Instructions and Specifications 2ni.com
You can connect thermocouple input signals to the NI 9211E.
Connect the positive lead of the thermocouple to the TC+ terminal
and the negative lead of the thermocouple to the TC– terminal. If
you are unsure which of the thermocouple leads is positive and
which is negative, check the thermocouple documentation or the
thermocouple wire spool. If you are using shielded wiring, connect
one end of the shield to the COM terminal. The COM terminal is
internally connected to the isolated ground reference of the
module. Refer to Figure 3 for an illustration of a typical shielding
configuration.
Thermocouple
Figure 3. Connecting a Shielded Thermocouple Input Signal to the NI 9211E
Note You must use 2-wire ferrules to create a secure
connection when connecting more than one wire to a
single terminal on the NI 9211E.
The NI 9211E channels share a common ground isolated from
other modules in the system. Each channel passes through a filter
and then a 24-bit analog-to-digital converter (ADC) samples the
channel. Each channel also has an open thermocouple detection
(OTD) circuit, which consists of a current source between the
TC+ and TC– terminals. If an open thermocouple is connected to
the channel, the current source forces a full-scale voltage across the
terminals. Refer to Figure 4 for an illustration of the circuitry for
one channel of the NI 9211E.
Each channel has a resistor that produces an input impedance
between the TC+ and COM terminals and between the TC– and
COM terminals. The gain and offset errors resulting from the
source impedance of connected thermocouples are negligible for
most applications. Thermocouples with a higher lead resistance
can introduce more significant errors. Refer to the Specifications
section for more information about errors resulting from source
impedance.
NI 9211E Operating Instructions and Specifications 6ni.com
Temperature measurement errors depend partly on the
thermocouple type, the accuracy of the thermocouple, the
temperature being measured, and the cold-junction temperature.
Refer to the Temperature Measurement Accuracy section in the
Specifications for the errors of each thermocouple type when
connected to the NI 9211E. The errors do not account for the
accuracy of the thermocouple itself.
For the best accuracy results, keep temperature gradients across
NI 9211E terminals to a minimum. Refer to the Minimizing
Thermal Gradients section for more information.
Cold-Junction Temperature Measurement Accuracy
Heat dissipated by adjacent modules or other nearby heat sources
can cause errors in thermocouple measurements by heating up the
NI 9211E terminals to a different temperature than the
cold-junction compensation sensor. The thermal gradient across
the terminals can cause the terminals of different channels to be at
different temperatures, in which case the resulting measurement
creates errors not only in absolute accuracy but also in the relative
NI 9211E Operating Instructions and Specifications 8ni.com
accuracy between channels. Refer to the Specifications section for
the cold-junction compensation accuracy specifications. Refer
to the Temperature Measurement Accuracy section in the
Specifications for the thermocouple accuracy specifications. Visit
ni.com/info and enter cjcdatascaling for more information
about isothermal errors and scaling CJC data.
Minimizing Thermal Gradients
Thermal gradients can be caused by changes in the ambient air
temperature near the front connector or by the thermocouple wire
if it conducts heat or cold directly to the terminal junctions. For the
best accuracy results, follow these guidelines for minimizing
thermal gradients:
•Use small-gauge thermocouple wire. Smaller wire transfers
less heat to or from the terminal junction.
•Run thermocouple wiring together near the screw-terminal
connector to keep the wires at the same temperature.
•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 as the
thermocouple wires.
•Minimize adjacent heat sources and air flow across the
terminals.
•Keep the ambient temperature as stable as possible.
Using the Autozero Channel
The NI 9211E has an internal autozero channel for measuring the
offset error. If the ambient temperature of the NI 9211E is less than
15 °C or more than 35 °C, use this channel to read the offset error.
Subtract the offset error from the data read from each NI 9211E
thermocouple input channel. Refer to the software help for
information about using the autozero channel. Visit
and enter
cseriesdoc for information about C Series
documentation.
NI 9211E Operating Instructions and Specifications 10ni.com
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, you cannot
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.
The following specifications are typical for the range –40 to 85 °C
internal to any enclosures unless otherwise noted. Accuracy within
typical use can vary based on chassis, mounting parameters, other
modules present in the system, and installed accessories.
Input Characteristics
Number of channels..........................4 thermocouple channels,
MTBF ............................................... 633,012 hours at 25 °C;
Bellcore Issue 2, Method 1,
Case 3, Limited Part Stress
Method
Note Contact NI for Bellcore MTBF specifications
at other temperatures or for MIL-HDBK-217F
specifications.
Temperature Measurement Accuracy
Measurement sensitivity
With autozero channel on
Types J, K, T, E, N............... <0.07 °C
Types B ................................ <0.25 °C
Types R, S ............................ <0.60 °C
1
Measurement sensitivity represents the smallest change in temperature that a sensor
can detect. It is a function of noise. The values assume the full measurement range
of the standard thermocouple sensor according to ASTM E230-87.
Figures 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9 show the typical and maximum errors
1
for
each thermocouple type when used with the NI 9211E over the full
temperature range. The figures also display the maximum errors
for the thermocouple types with the NI 9211E at room
temperature, which is 15 to 35 °C. The figures account for gain
errors, offset errors, differential and integral nonlinearity,
quantization errors, noise errors, and isothermal errors. The figures
do not account for the accuracy of the thermocouple itself.
1
The maximum errors assume an isothermal error of 1.0 °C. Refer to the
Cold-Junction Temperature Measurement Accuracy section for more information.
NI 9211E Operating Instructions and Specifications 16ni.com
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.
Caution Do not connect the NI 9211E to signals or use
for measurements within Measurement Categories III
or IV.
Safety Standards
This product meets the requirements of the following standards of
safety for electrical equipment for measurement, control, and
laboratory use when installed in a suitable enclosure:
•IEC 61010-1, EN 61010-1
•UL 61010-1, CSA 61010-1
Note For UL and other safety certifications, refer to the
product label or the Online Product Certification section.
NI 9211E Operating Instructions and Specifications 24ni.com
To obtain product certifications and the Declaration of Conformity
(DoC) for this product, visit
ni.com/certification, search by
model number or product line, and click the appropriate link in the
Certification column.
Environmental
National Instruments C Series modules are intended for indoor use
only but may be used outdoors if installed in a suitable enclosure.
Refer to the manual for the chassis you are using for more
information about meeting these specifications.
Operating temperature
(IEC 60068-2-1, IEC 60068-2-2) .....–40 to 85 °C
Storage temperature
(IEC 60068-2-1, IEC 60068-2-2) .....–40 to 85 °C
Operating humidity
(IEC 60068-2-56).............................. 10 to 90% RH,
Storage humidity
(IEC 60068-2-56).............................. 5 to 95% RH,
Maximum altitude............................. 2,000 m
Pollution Degree ...............................2
Environmental Management
NI is committed to designing and manufacturing products in an
environmentally responsible manner. NI recognizes that
eliminating certain hazardous substances from our products is
beneficial to the environment and to NI customers.
For additional environmental information, refer to the NI and the Environment Web page at ni.com/environment. This page
contains the environmental regulations and directives with which
NI complies, as well as other environmental information not
included in this document.
Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE)
EU Customers At the end of the product life cycle,
all products must be sent to a WEEE recycling center.
For more information about WEEE recycling centers,
National Instruments WEEE initiatives, and compliance
with WEEE Directive 2002/96/EC on Waste and
Electronic Equipment, visit
weee
.
NI 9211E Operating Instructions and Specifications 26ni.com
The National Instruments Web site is your complete resource for
technical support. At
everything from troubleshooting and application development
self-help resources to email and phone assistance from
NI Application Engineers.
National Instruments corporate headquarters is located at
11500 North Mopac Expressway, Austin, Texas, 78759-3504.
National Instruments also has offices located around the world to
help address your support needs. For telephone support in the
United States, create your service request at
and follow the calling instructions or dial 512 795 8248. For
telephone support outside the United States, contact your local
branch office:
Australia 1800 300 800, Austria 43 662 457990-0,
Belgium 32 (0) 2 757 0020, Brazil 55 11 3262 3599,
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Finland 358 (0) 9 725 72511, France 01 57 66 24 24,
Germany 49 89 7413130, India 91 80 41190000,
NI 9211E Operating Instructions and Specifications 28ni.com
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