NI 9208 Getting Started Manual

GETTING STARTED GUIDE

NI 9208

16-Channel, ±20 mA, 24-Bit Analog Input Module

This document explains how to connect to the NI 9208. In this
document, the NI 9208 with spring terminal and the NI 9208 with
DSUB are referred to inclusively as the NI 9208.

Note Before you begin, complete the software and

hardware installation procedures in your chassis
documentation.

Note The guidelines in this document are specific to

the NI 9208. 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 9208 only as described in this document.

Caution Do not operate the NI 9208 in a manner not

specified in this document. Product misuse can result in
a hazard. You can compromise the safety protection
built into the product if the product is damaged in any

2 | ni.com | NI 9208 Getting Started Guide

way. If the product is damaged, return it to NI for
repair.

NI 9208 with Spring Terminal Safety Voltages

Connect only voltages that are within the following limits:

Isolation

Channel-to-channel None

Channel-to-earth ground

Continuous 250 Vrms, Measurement

Category II

Withstand up to
4,000 m

3,000 Vrms, 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.

Caution Do not connect the NI 9208 to signals or use

for measurements within Measurement Categories III
or IV.

NI 9208 Getting Started Guide | © National Instruments | 3

NI 9208 with DSUB Safety Voltages

Connect only voltages that are within the following limits:

Isolation

Channel-to-channel None

Channel-to-earth ground

Continuous 60 VDC, Measurement

Category I

Withstand up to
2,000 m

1,000 Vrms, verified by a 5 s
dielectric withstand test

Measurement Category I is for measurements performed on
circuits not directly connected to the electrical distribution system
referred to as MAINS voltage. MAINS is a hazardous live
electrical supply system that powers equipment. This category is
for measurements of voltages from specially protected secondary
circuits. Such voltage measurements include signal levels, special
equipment, limited-energy parts of equipment, circuits powered
by regulated low-voltage sources, and electronics.

4 | ni.com | NI 9208 Getting Started Guide

Caution Do not connect the NI 9208 with DSUB to

signals or use for measurements within Measurement
Categories II, III, or IV.

Note Measurement Categories CAT I and CAT O are

equivalent. These test and measurement circuits are not
intended for direct connection to the MAINS building
installations of Measurement Categories CAT II,
CAT III, or CAT IV.

Safety Guidelines for Hazardous Locations

The NI 9208 is suitable for use in Class I, Division 2, Groups A,
B, C, D, T4 hazardous locations; Class I, Zone 2, AEx nA IIC T4
and Ex nA IIC T4 hazardous locations; and nonhazardous
locations only. Follow these guidelines if you are installing the
NI 9208 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.

NI 9208 Getting Started Guide | © National Instruments | 5

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 Division 2 and Zone 2 applications,

install the system in an enclosure rated to at least IP54
as defined by IEC/EN 60079-15.

Special Conditions for Hazardous Locations Use in
Europe and Internationally

The NI 9208 with spring terminal has been evaluated as Ex nA
IIC T4 Gc equipment under DEMKO 12 ATEX 1202658X and is
IECEx UL 14.0089X certified. The NI 9208 with DSUB has been
evaluated as Ex nA IIC T4 Gc equipment under DEMKO
Certificate No. 07 ATEX 0626664X and is IECEx UL 14.0089X
certified. Each NI 9208 is marked II 3G and is suitable for use
in Zone 2 hazardous locations, in ambient temperatures of -40 °C
≤ Ta ≤ 70 °C. If you are using the NI 9208 in Gas Group IIC
hazardous locations, you must use the device in an NI chassis that
has been evaluated as Ex nC IIC T4, Ex IIC T4, Ex nA IIC T4, or
Ex nL IIC T4 equipment.

6 | ni.com | NI 9208 Getting Started Guide

Caution You must make sure that transient

disturbances do not exceed 140% of the rated voltage.

Caution The system shall only be used in an area of

not more than Pollution Degree 2, as defined in
IEC/EN 60664-1.

Caution The system shall be mounted in an

ATEX/IECEx-certified enclosure with a minimum
ingress protection rating of at least IP54 as defined in
IEC/EN 60079-15.

Caution The enclosure must have a door or cover

accessible only by the use of a tool.

Electromagnetic Compatibility Guidelines

This product was tested and complies with the regulatory
requirements and limits for electromagnetic compatibility (EMC)
stated in the product specifications. These requirements and
limits provide reasonable protection against harmful interference
when the product is operated in the intended operational
electromagnetic environment.

NI 9208 Getting Started Guide | © National Instruments | 7

This product is intended for use in industrial locations. However,
harmful interference may occur in some installations, when the
product is connected to a peripheral device or test object, or if the
product is used in residential or commercial areas. To minimize
interference with radio and television reception and prevent
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.

Caution To ensure the specified EMC performance,

operate the NI 9208 with DSUB only with shielded
cables and accessories. Do not use unshielded cables or
accessories unless they are installed in a shielded
enclosure with 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.

8 | ni.com | NI 9208 Getting Started Guide

Special Conditions 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.

Caution In 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.

NI 9208 Getting Started Guide | © National Instruments | 9

Preparing the Environment

Ensure that the environment in which you are using the NI 9208
meets the following specifications.

Operating temperature
(IEC 60068-2-1, IEC 60068-2-2)

-40 °C to 70 °C

Operating humidity
(IEC 60068-2-78)

10% RH to 90% RH,
noncondensing

Pollution Degree 2

Maximum altitude

For NI 9208 with
spring terminal

4,000 m

For NI 9208 with
DSUB

2,000 m

Indoor use only.

Note Refer to the device datasheet on ni.com/manuals

for complete specifications.

10 | ni.com | NI 9208 Getting Started Guide

NI 9208 Pinout

V

sup

V

sup

V

sup

V

sup

V

sup

V

sup

V

sup

V

sup

COM
COM

V

sup

V

sup

V

sup

V

sup

V

sup

V

sup

V

sup

V

sup

AI0
AI1
AI2
AI3
AI4
AI5
AI6
AI7
COM
COM
AI8
AI9
AI10
AI11
AI12
AI13
AI14
AI15

V

sup

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8

9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19

20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37

COM

AI14

AI12

AI10

AI8

AI6

AI4

AI2

AI0

COM

AI15

AI13

AI11

AI9

AI7

AI5

AI3

AI1

V

sup

V

sup

V

sup

V

sup

V

sup

V

sup

V

sup

V

sup

V

sup

V

sup

V

sup

V

sup

V

sup

V

sup

V

sup

V

sup

V

sup

V

sup

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

32

33

34

35

36

NI 9208 Getting Started Guide | © National Instruments | 11

Table 1. Signal Descriptions

Signal Description

AI Analog input signal connection

COM Common reference connection to isolated ground

Vsup Voltage supply connection

Connecting an External Power Supply

You can connect an external power supply to the NI 9208. This
power supply provides the current for the devices you connect to
the module. Connect the positive lead of the power supply to a
Vsup pin and the negative lead of the power supply to COM.
Install a 2 A maximum, fast-acting fuse between the external
power supply and the Vsup pin.

Note The Vsup pins are internally connected to each

other. You can connect only one external voltage
supply to the device.

12 | ni.com | NI 9208 Getting Started Guide

Caution Do not remove or insert modules if the

external power supply connected to the Vsup and COM
pins is powered on.

Connecting a Loop-Powered Current
Transducer

NI 9208

+

–

AI0

External

Power

Supply

Loop-Powered

Current

Transducer

V

sup

COM

V

sup

2 A

Max

NI 9208 Getting Started Guide | © National Instruments | 13

Connecting a Three-Wire Current
Transducer

NI 9208

V

sup

COM

+

–

COM

V

sup

AI0

External

Power

Supply

Three-Wire

Current

Transducer

2 A

Max

OUT

+

–

14 | ni.com | NI 9208 Getting Started Guide

NI 9208 Connection Guidelines

• Make sure that devices you connect to the NI 9208 are
compatible with the module specifications.

• You must use 2-wire ferrules to create a secure connection
when connecting more than one wire to a single terminal on
the NI 9208 with spring terminal.

• Push the wire into the terminal when using a solid wire or a
stranded wire with a ferrule.

• Open the terminal by pressing the push button when using
stranded wire without a ferrule.

High-Vibration Application Connections

If your application is subject to high vibration, NI recommends
that you use the NI 9940 backshell kit to protect connections to
the NI 9208 with spring terminal.

Overvoltage Protection

The NI 9208 provides overvoltage protection for each channel.

Note Refer to the device datasheet on ni.com/manuals

for more information about overvoltage protection.

NI 9208 Getting Started Guide | © National Instruments | 15

Where to Go Next

CompactRIO

NI CompactDAQ

Located at ni.com/manuals

RELATED INFORMATION

C Series Documentation
& Resources

ni.com/info cseriesdoc

Services

ni.com/services

Installs with the software

NI 9208 Datasheet

NI-RIO Help

LabVIEW FPGA Help

NI 9208 Datasheet

NI-DAQmx Help

LabVIEW Help

16 | ni.com | NI 9208 Getting Started Guide

Worldwide Support and Services

The NI 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 NI 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.

NI 9208 Getting Started Guide | © National Instruments | 17

NI corporate headquarters is located at
11500 North Mopac Expressway, Austin, Texas, 78759-3504. NI
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.

Refer to the NI Trademarks and Logo Guidelines at ni.com/trademarks for information on NI
trademarks. Other product and company names mentioned herein are trademarks or trade names
of their respective companies. For patents covering NI products/technology, refer to the
appropriate location: Help»Patents in your software, the patents.txt file on your media, or the
National Instruments Patent Notice at ni.com/patents. You can find information about end-user
license agreements (EULAs) and third-party legal notices in the readme file for your NI product.
Refer to the Export Compliance Information at ni.com/legal/export-compliance for the NI
global trade compliance policy and how to obtain relevant HTS codes, ECCNs, and other import/
export data. NI MAKES NO EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES AS TO THE ACCURACY OF
THE INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN AND SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY ERRORS.
U.S. Government Customers: The data contained in this manual was developed at private
expense and is subject to the applicable limited rights and restricted data rights as set forth in FAR

52.227-14, DFAR 252.227-7014, and DFAR 252.227-7015.

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