This document explains how to connect the National
Instruments 9437.
Before You Begin Complete the hardware and software
installation procedures in your chassis documentation.
NoteThe guidelines in this document are specific to the
NI 9437. The other components in the system might not
meet the same safety ratings. Refer to the documentation
for each component in the system to determine the safety
and EMC ratings for the entire system.
Safety Guidelines
Operate the NI 9437 only as described in these operating
instructions.
Hot SurfaceThis icon denotes that the component may
be hot. Touching this component may result in bodily
injury.
CautionDo not operate the NI 9437 in a manner not
specified in this manual. Product misuse can result in a
hazard. You can compromise the safety protection built
2|ni.com|NI 9437 Getting Started Guide
Page 3
into the product if the product is damaged in any way. If
the product is damaged, return it to National Instruments
for repair.
Safety Guidelines for Hazardous Voltages
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.
CautionEnsure that hazardous voltage wiring is
performed only by qualified personnel adhering to local
electrical standards.
CautionDo not mix hazardous voltage circuits and
human-accessible circuits on the same module.
CautionMake sure that devices and circuits connected
to the module are properly insulated from human contact.
CautionWhen module terminals are hazardous voltage
LIVE (>42.4 V
/60 VDC), you must ensure that devices
pk
and circuits connected to the module are properly
insulated from human contact. You must use the NI 9932
connector backshell kit to ensure that the terminals are
not accessible.
Figure 1. NI 9932 Connector Backshell
4|ni.com|NI 9437 Getting Started Guide
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Safety Voltages
Connect only voltages that are within the following limits.
Channel-to-COM, V
-to-COM ..... 300 VDC max
SUP
Isolation
Channel-to-channel .................... None
Channel-to-V
Channel-to-earth ground, V
......................... None
SUP
SUP
-to-earth ground,
COM-to-earth ground
Continuous ........................... 300 V
, Measurement
rms
Category II
Withstand ............................. 3,000 V, verified by a 5 s
dielectric withstand test
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.
CautionDo not connect the NI 9437 to signals or use for
measurements within Measurement Categories III or IV.
This product was tested and complies with the regulatory
requirements and limits for electromagnetic compatibility (EMC)
as stated in the product specifications. These requirements and
limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against
harmful interference when the product is operated in its intended
operational electromagnetic environment.
This product is intended for use in industrial locations. There is no
guarantee that harmful interference will not occur in a particular
installation, when the product is connected to a test object, or if the
product is used in residential areas. To minimize the potential for
the product to cause interference to radio and television reception
or to experience unacceptable performance degradation, install and
use this product in strict accordance with the instructions in the
product documentation.
Furthermore, any changes or modifications to the product not
expressly approved by National Instruments could void your
authority to operate it under your local regulatory rules.
CautionTo ensure the specified EMC performance,
operate this product only with shielded cables and
accessories. Do not use unshielded cables or accessories
unless they are installed in a shielded enclosure with
6|ni.com|NI 9437 Getting Started Guide
Page 7
properly designed and shielded input/output ports and
connected to the product using a shielded cable. If
unshielded cables or accessories are not properly installed
and shielded, the EMC specifications for the product are
no longer guaranteed.
CautionTo ensure the specified EMC performance,
cable shields must be connected to the ground lug of the
carrier using a wire of minimum practical length.
Special Guidelines for Marine Applications
Some products are Lloyd’s Register (LR) Type Approved for
marine (shipboard) applications. To verify Lloyd’s Register
certification for a product, visit
ni.com/certification and
search for the LR certificate, or look for the Lloyd’s Register mark
on the product label.
CautionIn order to meet the EMC requirements for
marine applications, install the product in a shielded
enclosure with shielded and/or filtered power and
input/output ports. In addition, take precautions when
designing, selecting, and installing measurement probes
and cables to ensure that the desired EMC performance is
attained.
You can connect sourcing-output devices to the NI 9437. You must
connect a supply voltage to the V
pin on the NI 9437. Input
SUP
channels on the NI 9437 read ON or OFF depending on the
threshold set by the V
2/3 of the supply voltage on the V
Figure 3. Connecting a Sourcing-Output Device
pin. The V
SUP
SUP
SUP
threshold is approximately
pin.
10|ni.com|NI 9437 Getting Started Guide
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Connecting a Split-Rail Power Supply
NI 9437
2/3
≥
+
–
Bias
Resistors
Floating Power Supply
COM
VSUP
DI
Sourcing-Output
Device
You can connect a split-rail power supply to the NI 9437. A
split-rail power supply consists of a floating power supply that is
weakly centered around earth ground using bias resistors.
Figure 4. Connecting a Split-Rail Power Supply
Ground-Fault Protection
When using a floating or split-rail power supply, the NI 9437 can
tolerate a single ground fault from V
COM-to-earth ground, or DI-to-earth ground. The NI 9437 can
tolerate a single ground fault from V
COM-to-earth ground because of the isolation of the module. The NI
9437 can tolerate a single ground fault from DI-to-earth ground
because the threshold reference is 2/3 the supply voltage on the V
SUP
pin. With any one pin—V
, COM, or a single DI—shorted to earth
SUP
ground, the NI 9437 operates normally and returns valid data.
You can also use a power supply with the NI 9437 that requires a
connection to earth ground for normal operation. When using this
type of power supply, there is always a connection between COM
and earth ground and you will not have protection against ground
faults from V
-to-earth ground or from DI-to-earth ground.
SUP
LED Indicators
The NI 9437 has eight LEDs to display the ON/OFF state of the
eight channels. When an LED is lit, the corresponding channel is
ON and data is being read from the NI 9437. When an LED is dark,
the corresponding channel is OFF.
NoteIf V
is not connected, the LED does not
SUP
indicate the state of the channel.
12|ni.com|NI 9437 Getting Started Guide
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Connection Considerations
Keep in mind the following requirements when connecting to the
NI 9437.
•The supply voltage to V
must be within the range of
SUP
24 VDC to 250 VDC.
•Output devices that you connect to the NI 9437 must be able to
source enough current to overcome the NI 9437 input load
(burden). The NI 9437 burden is dynamic and varies
depending on the input voltage. Refer to the NI 9437 Datasheet on
ni.com/manuals for more information about
dynamic burden current on the NI 9437.
•Output devices that you connect to the NI 9437 do not need to
sink current. The NI 9437 input load current pulls the input
voltage to a low value when the output device is open, high
impedance, or not connected.
•The NI 9437 is immune to capacitively coupled transients
when using the correct debounce time based on the supply
voltage and the amount of capacitance in your system. Refer to
the NI 9437 Datasheet on
information about debounce times.
•Connecting more than one wire to a single terminal on the
NI 9437 requires 2-wire ferrules to create a secure connection.
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14|ni.com|NI 9437 Getting Started Guide
Page 15
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