National Instruments NI USB-9234 User Manual

USER GUIDE AND SPECIFICATIONS

NI USB-9234

4-Channel, ±5 V, 24-Bit Software-Selectable IEPE and AC/DC Analog Input Module

This user guide describes how to use the National Instruments USB-9234 and includes device specifications and connector assignments.

Introduction

The NI USB-9234 consists of two components: an NI 9234 module and an NI USB-9162 carrier, as shown in Figure 1.

NI 9234

NI USB-9162

HI-Speed USB Carrier

-9162

Hi-Speed USB Carrier

NI USB-9234

Figure 1. NI USB-9234 Components

Dimensions

140.66 mm (5.538 in.)

138.30 mm (5.445 in.)

Figure 2 shows the NI USB-9234 device dimensions.

Hi-Speed USB Carrier

NI USB-9162

120.68 mm (4.751 in.)

118.26 mm (4.656 in.)

Safety Guidelines

Operate the NI USB-9234 only as described in this user guide.

Note Although the NI 9234 module may have more stringent certification standards than

the NI USB-9234, when used with the NI USB-9162 carrier, the combined system may be limited. Refer to the Specifications section for more details.

Hot Surface This icon denotes that the component may be hot. Touching this component

may result in bodily injury.

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 the remove module unless power has been switched off or the area is

known to be nonhazardous.

Caution The NI USB-9234 is not certified for use in hazardous locations.

88.12 mm (3.469 in.)

Figure 2. NI USB-9234 Device in Millimeters (Inches)

25.34 mm (0.998 in.)

NI USB-9234 User Guide and Specifications 2 ni.com

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 V 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.

Related Documentation

Each application software package and driver includes information about writing applications for taking measurements and controlling measurement devices. The following references to documents assume you have NI-DAQmx 8.8 or later, and where applicable, version 7.1 or later of the NI application software.

NI-DAQmx for Windows

The DAQ Getting Started Guide describes how to install your NI-DAQmx for Windows software, your NI-DAQmx-supported DAQ device, and how to confirm that your device is operating properly. Select Start»All

Programs»National Instruments»NI-DAQ»DAQ Getting Started Guide.

The NI-DAQ Readme lists which devices are supported by this version of NI-DAQmx. Select Start»All Programs»National Instruments» NI-DAQ»NI-DAQ Readme.

The NI-DAQmx Help contains general information about measurement concepts, key NI-DAQmx concepts, and common applications that are applicable to all programming environments. Select Start»All Programs»National Instruments»NI-DAQ»NI-DAQmx Help.

LabVIEW

If you are a new user, use the Getting Started with LabVIEW manual to familiarize yourself with the LabVIEW graphical programming environment and the basic LabVIEW features you use to build data acquisition and instrument control applications. Open the Getting Started

with LabVIEW manual by selecting Start»All Programs»National Instruments»LabVIEW»LabVIEW Manuals or by navigating to the

labview\manuals directory and opening LV_Getting_Started.pdf.

Use the LabVIEW Help, available by selecting Help»Search the LabVIEW Help in LabVIEW, to access information about LabVIEW

programming concepts, step-by-step instructions for using LabVIEW, and reference information about LabVIEW VIs, functions, palettes, menus, and tools. Refer to the following locations on the Contents tab of the LabVIEW Help for information about NI-DAQmx:

• Getting Started»Getting Started with DAQ—Includes overview

information and a tutorial to learn how to take an NI-DAQmx measurement in LabVIEW using the DAQ Assistant.

• VI and Function Reference»Measurement I/O VIs and Functions—Describes the LabVIEW NI-DAQmx VIs and properties.

• Taking Measurements—Contains the conceptual and how-to information you need to acquire and analyze measurement data in LabVIEW, including common measurements, measurement fundamentals, NI-DAQmx key concepts, and device considerations.

LabWindows/CVI

The Data Acquisition book of the LabWindows/CVI Help contains measurement concepts for NI-DAQmx. This book also contains Taking an NI-DAQmx Measurement in LabWindows/CVI, which includes step-by-step instructions about creating a measurement task using the DAQ Assistant. In LabWindows Using LabWindows/CVI»Data Acquisition.

The NI-DAQmx Library book of the LabWindows/CVI Help contains API overviews and function reference for NI-DAQmx. Select Library Reference»NI-DAQmx Library in the LabWindows/CVI Help.

NI USB-9234 User Guide and Specifications 4 ni.com

™

/CVI™, select Help»Contents, then select

Measurement Studio

If you program your NI-DAQmx-supported device in Measurement Studio using Visual C++, Visual C#, or Visual Basic .NET, you can interactively create channels and tasks by launching the DAQ Assistant from MAX or from within Visual Studio .NET. You can generate the configuration code based on your task or channel in Measurement Studio. Refer to the DAQ Assistant Help for additional information about generating code. You also can create channels and tasks, and write your own applications in your ADE using the NI-DAQmx API.

For help with NI-DAQmx methods and properties, refer to the NI-DAQmx .NET Class Library or the NI-DAQmx Visual C++ Class Library included in the NI Measurement Studio Help. For general help with programming in Measurement Studio, refer to the NI Measurement Studio Help, which is fully integrated with the Microsoft Visual Studio .NET help. To view this help file in Visual Studio. NET, select Measurement Studio» NI Measurement Studio Help.

To create an application in Visual C++, Visual C#, or Visual Basic .NET, follow these general steps:

1. In Visual Studio .NET, select File»New»Project to launch the New

2. Find the Measurement Studio folder for the language you want to

3. Choose a project type. You add DAQ tasks as a part of this step.

Project dialog box.

create a program in.

ANSI C without NI Application Software

The NI-DAQmx Help contains API overviews and general information about measurement concepts. Select Start»All Programs»National Instruments»NI-DAQ»NI-DAQmx Help.

The NI-DAQmx C Reference Help describes the NI-DAQmx Library functions, which you can use with National Instruments data acquisition devices to develop instrumentation, acquisition, and control applications. Select Start»All Programs»National Instruments»NI-DAQ» NI-DAQmx C Reference Help.

.NET Languages without NI Application Software

With the Microsoft .NET Framework version 1.1 or later, you can use NI-DAQmx to create applications using Visual C# and Visual Basic .NET without Measurement Studio. You need Microsoft Visual Studio .NET 2003 or Microsoft Visual Studio 2005 for the API documentation to be installed.

The installed documentation contains the NI-DAQmx API overview, measurement tasks and concepts, and function reference. This help is fully integrated into the Visual Studio .NET documentation. To view the NI-DAQmx .NET documentation, go to Start»All Programs»National

Instruments»NI-DAQ»NI-DAQmx .NET Reference Help. Expand NI Measurement Studio Help»NI Measurement Studio .NET Class Library»Reference to view the function reference. Expand NI Measurement Studio Help»NI Measurement Studio .NET Class Library»Using the Measurement Studio .NET Class Libraries to view

conceptual topics for using NI-DAQmx with Visual C# and Visual Basic .NET.

To get to the same help topics from within Visual Studio, go to Help»Contents. Select Measurement Studio from the Filtered By drop-down list and follow the previous instructions.

Device Documentation and Specifications

Documentation for supported devices and accessories, including PDF and help files describing device terminals, specifications, features, and operation are on the NI-DAQmx CD that includes Device Documentation. Insert the CD, open the Device Documentation directory, and double-click the Device Documents shortcut for your language to find, view, and print device documents.

Note You can also download these documents at ni.com/manuals.

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.

Technical Support on the Web

For additional support, refer to ni.com/support or zone.ni.com.

NI USB-9234 User Guide and Specifications 6 ni.com

Installing the Software

Software support for the NI USB-9234 for Windows Vista/XP/2000 is provided by NI-DAQmx. The DAQ Getting Started Guide, which you can download at instructions for installing software and hardware, configuring channels and tasks, and getting started developing an application.

ni.com/manuals, offers NI-DAQmx users step-by-step

Installing Other Software

If you are using other software, refer to the installation instructions that accompany your software.

Example Programs

The NI-DAQmx CD contains example programs that you can use to get started programming with the NI USB-9234. Refer to the NI-DAQmx for USB Devices Getting Started Guide that shipped with your device, which is also accessible from Start»All Programs»National Instruments» NI-DAQ for more information.

Installing the NI USB-9234 Device

Before installing the device, you must install the software you plan to use with the device. Refer to the Installing the Software section of this guide and the documentation included with the software for more information.

Installing the NI 9234 in the NI USB-9162 Carrier

The NI 9234 module and NI USB-9162 carrier are packaged separately. Refer to Figure 3, while completing the following assembly steps:

1. Make sure no signals are connected to the NI 9234 module and the USB cable is not connected to the device.

2. Remove the protective cover from the 15-pin D-SUB connector.

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