Omega Products iNET-100HC User Manual



instruNET Series Direct Sensor

Extended Warranty

Program

SM

to Data Acquisition

iNET-100 A/D box,
shown smaller
than actual size.

iNET-240 USB 2.0 controller,

shown larger

than actual size.

⻬ High-Accuracy Data

⻬ 16 Single-Ended/8 Differential

⻬ iNET-240 USB 2.0 Controller
⻬ Direct Connection to RTD,

⻬ Each Channel Has

⻬ 166 KS/s Throughput

⻬ Includes Strip Chart Software

⻬ Optional LabVIEW

⻬ Optional DASYLab Software

1

iNet-100 Series

Basic System with Software

Acquisition for Windows
Computers

14-Bit Analog Inputs, 8 Analog
Outputs, and 8 Digital I/O

Thermocouple, Voltage,
Current, Accelerometer,
Potentiometer, Load Cell,
Thermistor, Bridge, and
Strain Gage Sensors

Independently Programmable
Analog and Digital Filters,
Integration Time, Voltage
Range, and Sample Rate

to RAM or Disk

and Drivers for C, Visual
Basic.Net, and TestPoint

Drivers are Available

Includes iNET Drivers for
Easy-to-Use, Icon-Based
Programming

To Order, Call or Shop Online at omega.com

instruNet provides tens of microvolts
of absolute accuracy instead of tens
of millivolts, at the same cost and at
the same throughput rates as typical
general purpose data acquisition
boards. It does this with a
completely different topology in
which the analog electronics are
close to the sensor in electrically
quiet boxes outside the PC, and
noisy digital electronics are left
inside. The external boxes contain
signal conditioning amplifiers for
each channel and can attach
directly to sensors such as
thermocouples, thermistors, RTDs,
strain gages, load cells, resistance
sources, current sources, and
voltage sources. The box returns
engineering units to the PC
(e.g., °C, volts, amps).

At the heart of the real-time system
is a PCI card (WIN XP/VISTA
(32-bit)/7 (32-bit), PC-card (WIN
XP/VISTA (32-bit)/7 (32-bit) or USB

2.0 (WIN XP SP2/VISTA 32-bit
or 64-bit/7 32-bit or 64-bit) controller
that attaches to a Windows
computer. Each controller contains
a 32-bit microprocessor with 256 KB
of RAM that manages the external
“network” of devices. All real-time
tasks are off-loaded to this
processor so that the host computer
is not burdened with real-time
issues. Each instruNet iNET-100
box provides 16 single-ended/8
differential analog inputs, 8 analog

OMEGACARESMextended warranty program

is available for models shown on this page.

Ask your sales representative for full details

when placing an order. OMEGACARE

covers parts, labor and equivalent loaners.

SM

outputs, and 8 digital I/O lines.
The iNET-100 includes 44 screw
terminals. The iNET-100B version
adds 16 BNCs for analog inputs.
The controllers themselves have
10 counter/timer channels, each
of which can function as a digital
input bit, a digital output bit,
a clock output channel, a pulse
counter, a frequency counter, a
period measurement input, or a
quadrature counter.

Distributed and Expandable

The instruNet system is ideally
suited for distributed measurement
and control systems. The network
cable can extend up to 304.8 m
(1000'). Each controller card in the
PC can connect to up to 8 instruNet
boxes for a total of 128 analog
inputs, 64 analog outputs, and
64 digital I/O. For additional inputs,
multiple controller cards can be
placed in one computer, with the
maximum number of controller
cards limited only by the number
of available slots.

Since each controller card has its
own microprocessor, multiple cards
do not place any additional burden
on the computer. It should be noted
that multiple instruNet boxes on a
single network may degrade the
maximum system throughput of 166
KS/s.

SM



INSTRUNET SERIES DIRECT SENSOR TO DATA ACQUISITION

V

i

Thermocouple RTD Thermistor Strain Gage Voltage Current Resistance

iNET-100 hook-up diagram.

iNET-100, /iNet-100HC*, up to 16
analog inputs, 8 analog outputs,
8 digital I/O.

*15 mA excitation current per channel.

Screw

Terminals

Daisy chain multiple iNet-100

units for up to 128 analog outputs.

iNET-100B, up to 16 analog inputs with
BNC connectors, 8 analog outputs,
8 digital I/O.

BNC
Connectors

instruNET controller

card with PC interface

for Windows based PCs.

iNET-200,

USB 2,0 controller

iNET-240,

for laptop or

desktop PCs.

To Order, Call or Shop Online at omega.com

SM

2

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Software

“instruNet World” is a FREE

Performance

The instruNet system supports the
digitizing of multiple channels at a
maximum aggregate sample rate of
166 KS/s, where each channel can
be digitized at its own rate. This
maximum rate decreases when the
total cable length increases, optical
isolation is used, digital filtering or
plotting is enabled, more boxes are
added, more channels are digitized,
amplifier gain is increased, or
spooling to disk is added. Each
channel can be independently
digitally filtered with low-pass,
high-pass, band-stop and and-pass
filters; the filter specification for
each channel is independently set
in software. Each channel provides
a programmable analog low-pass
filter with programmable A/D
measurement integration time. The
network can be hundreds of feet
long and can support multiple
hardware devices connected in a
daisy-chain configuration. The start
of digitizing can be triggered from
any channel. There are no jumpers
or pots; the system automatically
self-calibrates on power-up.
Because instruNet is modular, it can
easily be expanded as needs
evolve. One can easily move the
system hardware from one
computer family to another, since
the various controllers are
functionally identical.

High-Current Version (HC)

The iNET-100HC is similar to the
iNET-100, yet the voltage output
channels have a higher drive
capability, providing up to 15 mA of
current to capacitive loads as high
as 0.01 µF. The iNET-100 and
iNET-100B devices support only
4 mA/0.001 µF voltage output drive.
The iNET-100HC is recommended
for use with sensors such as strain
gages, RTDs, and thermistors,
since these sensors may exceed
the current or capacitive drive limits
of the iNET-100 or iNET-100B. The
iNET-100HC, furthermore, provides
greater compatibility with sensors
that have capacitive loading on the
excitation lines, therefore it is
recommended for all sensors
requiring excitation, including RTDs
and thermistors. Since the HC
version has a greater power
demand, an external power supply
must be used. The iNET-312-8 can
be used for three additional

3

iNET-100HC boxes.

To Order, Call or Shop Online at omega.com

application program that manages,
monitors, and operates the
instruNet system. It digitizes long
continuous waveforms, spools them
to disk,views incoming waveforms
in real time, and then allows post­acquisition viewing, much like an
oscilloscope or strip chart recorder.
instruNet World provides a
spreadsheet-like environment in
which one can set and view channel
parameters such as sensor type,
integration time, analog filter, and
digital filter. Each channel has its
own row in the spreadsheet, with
the various options in the columns.
instruNet is also compatible with a
variety of off-the-shelf software
products, including TestPoint,
Microsoft Excel 8 for Windows, and
DASYLab. For users writing their
own programs, instruNet includes
drivers callable from Visual
Studio.Net Basic or C. The driver
includes a main routine, called
“iNet( )”, that reads or writes any of
the options or channels on the
system. Optional drivers are also
available for LabVIEW software.
instruNet World Plus (for Windows
XP SP2/VISTA/7) software adds
valuable features to the standard
instruNet World software included
with instruNet hardware. It enables
the user to digitize, plot, control,
analyze, and save to disk A/D, D/A,
and digital I/O data from instruNet
hardware. In addition, it enables
one to define a personal instrument
front panel with buttons, pop-up
menus, edit fields, dynamic text,
text editor regions, and waveform
graphs. instruNet World Plus is
programmed with a simple script
language that can define tasks such
as control loops. For example, one
can type “Dac1 = OnOff (Ain1, 3)” to
define D/A #1 as a function of A/D
#1. Below is a list of the additional
features available only in instruNet
World Plus:

Generate Analog and Digital
Output Waveforms

Define an analog or digital output
channel mathematically (e.g., sine
wave, square wave, pulse train)
that updates in real time (e.g., every
100 ms).

Run Feedback/Control Loops

Define an analog or digital output
channel as a real-time function of
analog and/or digital input channels
(e.g. PID control, on/off control).
Create a Custom Instrument

iNET-300 power adaptor
and iNET-330 isolator,
shown with iNET-312-8
power supply.

All shown
smaller than
actual size.

Create buttons, pop-up menus, edit
fields, dynamic text fields, text edit
regions, and pages to build a
custom application program.

Powerful Script
Programming Language

instruNet World Plus is programmed
with a simple BASIC-like script
language that provides feedback/
control, waveform generation, math,
file, hardware, and user-interface
functions.

instruNet World Plus also
Includes Digitize Direct to
Excel Software

InstruNet World Plus includes the
Digitize Direct to Excel program,
which populates an Excel (Version
≥ 8.0, Office ≥ 97) spreadsheet in
real time while digitizing.

Power Requirements

Since instruNet is powered directly
from the iNET-200 controller card, it
is possible to exceed the power
capacity of the controller card if
multiple instruNet iNET-100 boxes
are attached to a network. For
systems using the iNET-200 PCI
bus controller card with more than 2
iNET-100/100B boxes or 1 iNET­100HC instruNet box on a network,
external power is required. Two
power adaptors are available: the
iNET-300 power adaptor and the
iNET-330 adapter/isolator. Both
devices connect in line with the
instruNet communications cable;
the iNET-300 provides power only,
while the iNET-330 provides power
and electrical isolation between the
iNET-100 boxes and the computer.
Isolation helps eliminate ground
loop problems. Both the iNET-300
and iNET-330 require either the
iNET-312-8 (USA plug) or iNET­312-8EU (Euro plug) power supply.
The iNET-312-8 can power
4 additional iNET-100/100B or 3
additional iNET-100HC. The iNET­230 controller card does not provide
power; the iNET-312-8 or
iNET-312-8EU power; supply must
be used with this card.

SM

Extended Warranty

Program

SM

instruNET Series Direct



Sensor to Data Acquisition

instruNet World Data Acquisition Software
(included with the instruNet System).

instruNet World Plus Data Acquisition Software
below (not included—need to puchase software
license), iNET-iWPLUS.

OMEGACARESMextended warranty
program is available for models shown on
this page. Ask your sales respresentative
for full details when placing an order.
OMEGACARESMcovers parts, labor and
equivalent loaners.

Voltage Range/Accuracy

Voltage Integration
Range (Seconds) Accuracy

±5V 1 ms ±700 µV

none ±1500 µV

Thermocouple Ranges/Accuracy

Thermocouple Range Accuracy

-210 to -100°C ±0.8°C

-100 to 1200°C ±0.5°C

-200 to -50°C ±0.8°C

-50 to 1372°C ±0.6°C

-200 to -100°C ±0.8°C

-100 to 400°C ±0.5°C

-200 to -60°C ±0.7°C

-60 to 1000°C ±0.5°C

-50 to 70°C ±3.5°C

70 to 1768°C ±2.0°C

-50 to 150°C ±2.8°C

150 to 1768°C ±1.8°C

250 to 600°C ±3.8°C

600 to 1820°C ±2.0°C

±0.6V 1 ms ±75 µV

none ±150 µV

±80 mV* 1 ms ±15 µV

none ±45 µV

±10 mV* 1 ms ±10 µV

none ±30 µV

±80 mV and ±10 mV are nominal ranges. Actual ranges may be as low

*

as ±78 mV and ±8 mV, respectively

RTD Accuracy Ranges

RTDs with α = 0.00385 and 0.00392 supported. One
user-supplied shunt resistor per RTD channel is required.

RTD Range Shunt Accuracy

100 Ω 0 to 200°C 1 kΩ ±0.37°C
100 Ω 0 to 850°C 2 kΩ ±1.0°C
500 Ω 0 to 200°C 4.7 kΩ ±0.38°C
500 Ω 0 to 850°C 10 kΩ ±0.9°C
1000 Ω 0 to 200°C 10 kΩ ±0.36°C
1000 Ω 0 to 850°C 20 kΩ ±0.85°C

-200 to -110°C ±1.3°C

-110 to 1300°C ±0.8°C

0 to 2315°C ±2.4°C

0 to 2315°C ±2.2°C

0 to 100°C ±16.0°C

100 to 300°C ±3.4°C

300 to 2315°C ±1.8°C

Thermistor Accuracy/Ranges

All OMEGA®44000 Series thermistors supported. (Consult Sales
for other thermistors); one user-supplied shunt resistor per
thermistor channel is required.

Range Shunt Accuracy

-80 to 40°C 47 kΩ ±0.2°C
0 to 70°C 4.7 kΩ ±0.1°C

0 to 200°C 200 Ω ±0.4°C

To Order, Call or Shop Online at omega.com

SM

4



iNET-100B, shown smaller
than actual size with
KMTSS-125U-6 thermocouple

SPECIFICATIONS

Analog Inputs:

probe, sold separately.
Visit omega.com/thermocouple
for more thermocouple probes.

16 single-ended/8 differential

Resolution: 14-bit
System Throughput:

166K samples/s

A/D Conversion Time: 4 µs min
Signal-to-Noise Ratio: 78 dB
Linearity: Differential ±1.5 LSB;

integral ±2 LSB

Input Overvoltage Protection: ±15V
Input Impedance: >22 MΩ, 3pf
Common-Mode Voltage:

±5V min (CMR ±80 dB)
Gain and Offset Drift: ±5 ppm/°C

of 5V FSR; offset self-calibrated to 0

Analog Outputs: 8
Resolution: 8-bit

Output Range:

iNET-100/100B: ±5V @ 5 mA
iNET-100HC: ±5V @ 15 mA

Output Protection:

Short-to-ground continuous
Output Settling Time: 4 µs (to ±2 LSB,

±5V step)

Analog Output Accuracy: ±0.4%
Digital Coupling: ±20 mV
Gain and Offset Drift: ±10 ppm/°C

of 5V FSR and ±5 µV/°C offset drift

MOST POPULAR MODELS HIGHLIGHTED!

Digital I/O Number: 8 non-latching
inputs and 8 latching outputs at
8 bidirectional screw terminals

Input Levels:

V

= 3.2V min to 12V max

IH

V

= 1.0V max to -12V min

IL

I

= -200 µA, Vi = 3.2V

IH

I

= -0.5 mA max

IL

Output Levels:

V

= 2V min to 5V max

OH

I

= -0.5 mA max

OH

I

= 500 mA max, VO=1.7V

OL

I

= 50 mA max, VO= 0.7V

OL

To Order (Visit omega.com/iNET-100 for Pricing and Details)

Model No. Description

iNET-100 instruNet external A/D box with screw terminal connections
iNET-100B instruNet external A/D box with screw terminal and BNC connections
iNET-100HC Same as INET-100 with 15 mA excitation current per channel
iNET-240 USB 2.0 controller for Windows XP SP2//VISTA (32-bit of 64-bit)/7 (32-bit or 64-bit);

iNET-200 PCI-Bus controller card for Windows XP/VISTA (32-bit)/7 (32-bit) computers (controls up to 8 iNET-100s)
iNET-230

Comes complete with operator’s manual, instruNet World data acquisition software, driver software and network terminator.
The iNET-100/100B/100HC include a 3 m (10') cable for connecting the iNET-100/100B/100HC to the controller card or other iNET-100/100B/100HCs.

†

iNET-230 is not supported under Windows NT.

Ordering Examples: iNET-100 external A/D box, OCW-1, OMEGACARE
iNET-240, USB 2.0 controller and OCW-1, OMEGACARESM1-year extended warranty for (adds 1 year to standard 1-year warranty)

iNET-100, external A/D box, and iNET-240 USB 2.0 controller

†

Accessories

Model No. Description

iNET-300

iNET-330
iNET-312-8 Power supply; 110/220 Vac, 5 V/2 A, ±12 V/0.8 A; USA plug used with iNET-300/330/230,

iNET-312-8EU Power supply; 110/220 Vac, 5 V/2 A, ±12 V/0.8 A; 2-prong Euro plug, used with

iNET-340 DIN rail mounting brackets for one iNET-100
iNET-CABLE-10FT instruNet cable, 3.0 m (10') length
iNET-CABLE-25FT instruNet cable, 7.6 m (25') length
iNET-CABLE-50FT instruNet cable, 15.2 m (50') length
iNET-CABLE-100FT instruNet cable, 30.5 m (100') length
iNET-iWPLUS instruNet World Plus software license for one controller card (includes CD and license

iNET-380
OMX-R250 Precision 250 Ω shunt resistor (1% tolerance)
OMX-R(*) Precision shunt resistor, specify resistance code (200, 2K, 10K or 20K)
OMX-R1K Precision shunt resistor, 1 kΩ
OMX-R4.7K Precision shunt resistor, 4.7 kΩ
OMX-R47K Precision shunt resistor, 47 kΩ

Note: Insert resistance code in ohms. Available resistance codes are 200, 2K, 10K or 20K.

*

5

Ordering Example: iNET-312-8, power supply, 110/220 Vac.

To Order, Call or Shop Online at omega.com

requires inet-312-8 power supply

PC-Card controller, type II for Windows XP/VISTA (32-bit)/7 (32-bit)
(does not provide power, requires iNET-312-8 power supply)

SM

1-year extended warranty (adds 1-year to standard 1-year warranty),

Power adaptor, required if using more than 2 iNET-100/100B boxes or one iNET-100HC box
with the iNET-200 PCI controller card; the iNET-230 PC card controller provides its own power adaptor

Optical isolator, isolates signal and power lines (replaces iNET-300, requires iNET-312-8 power supply)

iNET-300 included (powers 3 additional iNET-100HC or 4 additional iNET-100/100B);
includes iNET-300 power adaptor

iNET-300/330/230 (powers 3 additional iNET-100HC or 4 additional iNET-100/100B);
includes iNET-3000 power adaptor

certificate for Windows XP SP2//VISTA/7)
LabVIEW drivers (LabVIEW versions 4 to 6 currently supported on

Windows XP SP2//VISTA/7)

SM