Tektronix EXP-1800 Users Guide

EXP-1800

User’s Guide

A GREATER MEASURE OF CONFIDENCE

WARRANTY

Hardware

Keithley Instruments, Inc. warrants that, for a period of one (1) year from the date of shipment (3 years for Models 2000,
2001, 2002, 2010 and 2700), the Keithley Hardware product will be free from defects in materials or workmanship. This
warranty will be honored provided the defect has not been caused by use of the Keithley Hardware not in accordance with
the instructions for the product. This warranty shall be null and void upon: (1) any modification of Keithley Hardware that
is made by other than Keithley and not approved in writing by Keithley or (2) operation of the Keithley Hardware outside
of the environmental specifications therefore.

Upon receiving notification of a defect in the Keithley Hardware during the warranty period, Keithley will, at its option,
either repair or replace such Keithley Hardware. During the first ninety days of the warranty period, Keithley will, at its
option, supply the necessary on site labor to return the product to the condition prior to the notification of a defect. Failure
to notify Keithley of a defect during the warranty shall relieve Keithley of its obligations and liabilities under this
warranty.

Other Hardware

The portion of the product that is not manufactured by Keithley (Other Hardware) shall not be covered by this warranty,
and Keithley shall have no duty of obligation to enforce any manufacturers' warranties on behalf of the customer. On those
other manufacturers’ products that Keithley purchases for resale, Keithley shall have no duty of obligation to enforce any
manufacturers’ warranties on behalf of the customer.

Software

Keithley warrants that for a period of one (1) year from date of shipment, the Keithley produced portion of the software or
firmware (Keithley Software) will conform in all material respects with the published specifications provided such Keithley
Software is used on the product for which it is intended and otherwise in accordance with the instructions therefore.
Keithley does not warrant that operation of the Keithley Software will be uninterrupted or error-free and/or that the Keithley
Software will be adequate for the customer's intended application and/or use. This warranty shall be null and void upon any
modification of the Keithley Software that is made by other than Keithley and not approved in writing by Keithley.

If Keithley receives notification of a Keithley Software nonconformity that is covered by this warranty during the warranty
period, Keithley will review the conditions described in such notice. Such notice must state the published specification(s)
to which the Keithley Software fails to conform and the manner in which the Keithley Software fails to conform to such
published specification(s) with sufficient specificity to permit Keithley to correct such nonconformity. If Keithley deter­mines that the Keithley Software does not conform with the published specifications, Keithley will, at its option, provide
either the programming services necessary to correct such nonconformity or develop a program change to bypass such
nonconformity in the Keithley Software. Failure to notify Keithley of a nonconformity during the warranty shall relieve
Keithley of its obligations and liabilities under this warranty.

Other Software

OEM software that is not produced by Keithley (Other Software) shall not be covered by this warranty, and Keithley shall
have no duty or obligation to enforce any OEM's warranties on behalf of the customer.

Other Items

Keithley warrants the following items for 90 days from the date of shipment: probes, cables, rechargeable batteries, diskettes,
and documentation.

Items not Covered under Warranty

This warranty does not apply to fuses, non-rechargeable batteries, damage from battery leakage, or problems arising from
normal wear or failure to follow instructions.

Limitation of Warranty

This warranty does not apply to defects resulting from product modification made by Purchaser without Keithley's express
written consent, or by misuse of any product or part.

Disclaimer of Warranties

EXCEPT FOR THE EXPRESS WARRANTIES ABOVE KEITHLEY DISCLAIMS ALL OTHER WARRANTIES,
EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION, ALL IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANT­ABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. KEITHLEY DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES WITH
RESPECT TO THE OTHER HARDWARE AND OTHER SOFTWARE.

Limitation of Liability

KEITHLEY INSTRUMENTS SHALL IN NO EVENT, REGARDLESS OF CAUSE, ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY FOR
OR BE LIABLE FOR: (1) ECONOMICAL, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, INDIRECT, SPECIAL, PUNITIVE OR
EXEMPLARY DAMAGES, WHETHER CLAIMED UNDER CONTRACT, TORT OR ANY OTHER LEGAL THEORY,
(2) LOSS OF OR DAMAGE TO THE CUSTOMER'S DATA OR PROGRAMMING, OR (3) PENALTIES OR PENALTY
CLAUSES OF ANY DESCRIPTION OR INDEMNIFICATION OF THE CUSTOMER OR OTHERS FOR COSTS, DAM­AGES, OR EXPENSES RELATED TO THE GOODS OR SERVICES PROVIDED UNDER THIS WARRANTY.

Keithley Instruments, Inc.

Sales Offices: BELGIUM: Bergensesteenweg 709 • B-1600 Sint-Pieters-Leeuw • 02-363 00 40 • Fax: [phone]

CHINA: Yuan Chen Xin Building, Room 705 • 12 Yumin Road, Dewai, Madian • Beijing 100029 • 8610-6202-2886 • Fax: [phone]
FINLAND: Tietäjäntie 2 • 02130 Espoo • Phone: [phone] • Fax: [phone]
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KOREA: 2FL., URI Building • 2-14 Yangjae-Dong • Seocho-Gu, Seoul 137-888 • 82-2-574-7778 • Fax: [phone]
NETHERLANDS: Postbus 559 • 4200 AN Gorinchem • 0183-635333 • Fax: [phone]
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28775 Aurora Road • Cleveland, Ohio 44139 • 440-248-0400 • Fax: [phone]

1-888-KEITHLEY (534-8453) • www.keithley.com

4/02

EXP-1800

User’s Guide

Revision B - November 2001

Part Number: 92160

Basic™ is a trademark of Dartmouth College.

IBM® is a registered trademark of International Business Machines Corporation.

PC, XT, and AT® are trademarks of International Business Machines Corporation.

Microsoft® is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation.

Turbo C® is a registered trademark of Borland International.

DriverLINX is a registered trademark of Scientic Software Tools, Inc.

All other brand and product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their
respective companies.

Information furnished by Keithley Instruments is believed to be accurate and reliable.
However, Keithley Instruments assumes no responsibility for the use of such information
nor for any infringements of patents or other rights of third parties that may result from
its use. No license is granted by implication or otherwise under any patent rights of

Keithley Instruments.

WARNING

Keithley Instruments assumes no responsibility for damages consequent to

the use of this product. This product is not designed with components of a level of

reliability suitable for use in life support or critical applications.

S

The following safety precautions should be observed before using this product and any associated instrumentation.
Although some instruments and accessories would normally be used with non-hazardous voltages, there are situations
where hazardous conditions may be present.

This product is intended for use by qualified personnel who recognize shock hazards and are familiar with the safety
precautions required to avoid possible injury. Read and follow all installation, operation, and maintenance information
carefully before using the product. Refer to the manual for complete product specifications.

If the product is used in a manner not specified, the protection provided by the product may be impaired.
The types of product users are:

Responsible body

the equipment is operated within its specifications and operating limits, and for ensuring that operators are adequately
trained.

Operators

of the instrument. They must be protected from electric shock and contact with hazardous live circuits.

Maintenance personnel

the line voltage or replacing consumable materials. Maintenance procedures are described in the manual. The proce­dures explicitly state if the operator may perform them. Otherwise, they should be performed only by service personnel.

Service personnel are trained to work on live circuits, and perform safe installations and repairs of products. Only

properly trained service personnel may perform installation and service procedures.
Keithley products are designed for use with electrical signals that are rated Installation Category I and Installation

Category II, as described in the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) Standard IEC 60664. Most mea­surement, control, and data I/O signals are Installation Category I and must not be directly connected to mains voltage
or to voltage sources with high transient over-voltages. Installation Category II connections require protection for high
transient over-voltages often associated with local AC mains connections. Assume all measurement, control, and data
I/O connections are for connection to Category I sources unless otherwise marked or described in the Manual.

Exercise extreme caution when a shock hazard is present. Lethal voltage may be present on cable connector jacks or
test fixtures. The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) states that a shock hazard exists when voltage levels
greater than 30V RMS, 42.4V peak, or 60VDC are present.

age is present in any unknown circuit before measuring.

Operators of this product must be protected from electric shock at all times. The responsible body must ensure that
operators are prevented access and/or insulated from every connection point. In some cases, connections must be ex­posed to potential human contact. Product operators in these circumstances must be trained to protect themselves from
the risk of electric shock. If the circuit is capable of operating at or above 1000 volts,

may be exposed.

Do not connect switching cards directly to unlimited power circuits. They are intended to be used with impedance
limited sources. NEVER connect switching cards directly to AC mains. When connecting sources to switching cards,
install protective devices to limit fault current and voltage to the card.

Before operating an instrument, make sure the line cord is connected to a properly grounded power receptacle. Inspect
the connecting cables, test leads, and jumpers for possible wear, cracks, or breaks before each use.

is the individual or group responsible for the use and maintenance of equipment, for ensuring that

use the product for its intended function. They must be trained in electrical safety procedures and proper use

perform routine procedures on the product to keep it operating properly, for example, setting

afety Precautions

A good safety practice is to expect that hazardous volt-

no conductive part of the circuit

5/02

When installing equipment where access to the main power cord is restricted, such as rack mounting, a separate main
input power disconnect device must be provided, in close proximity to the equipment and within easy reach of the
operator.

For maximum safety, do not touch the product, test cables, or any other instruments while power is applied to the cir­cuit under test. ALWAYS remove power from the entire test system and discharge any capacitors before: connecting
or disconnecting cables or jumpers, installing or removing switching cards, or making internal changes, such as in­stalling or removing jumpers.

Do not touch any object that could provide a current path to the common side of the circuit under test or power line (earth)
ground. Always make measurements with dry hands while standing on a dry, insulated surface capable of withstanding the
voltage being measured.

The instrument and accessories must be used in accordance with its specifications and operating instructions or the
safety of the equipment may be impaired.

Do not exceed the maximum signal levels of the instruments and accessories, as defined in the specifications and op­erating information, and as shown on the instrument or test fixture panels, or switching card.

When fuses are used in a product, replace with same type and rating for continued protection against fire hazard.
Chassis connections must only be used as shield connections for measuring circuits, NOT as safety earth ground con-

nections.
If you are using a test fixture, keep the lid closed while power is applied to the device under test. Safe operation re-

quires the use of a lid interlock.

If or is present, connect it to safety earth ground using the wire recommended in the user documentation.

!

The symbol on an instrument indicates that the user should refer to the operating instructions located in the manual.

The symbol on an instrument shows that it can source or measure 1000 volts or more, including the combined
effect of normal and common mode voltages. Use standard safety precautions to avoid personal contact with these
voltages.

The

WARNING

associated information very carefully before performing the indicated procedure.
The

CAUTION

the warranty.
Instrumentation and accessories shall not be connected to humans.
Before performing any maintenance, disconnect the line cord and all test cables.
To maintain protection from electric shock and fire, replacement components in mains circuits, including the power

transformer, test leads, and input jacks, must be purchased from Keithley Instruments. Standard fuses, with applicable
national safety approvals, may be used if the rating and type are the same. Other components that are not safety related
may be purchased from other suppliers as long as they are equivalent to the original component. (Note that selected parts
should be purchased only through Keithley Instruments to maintain accuracy and functionality of the product.) If you
are unsure about the applicability of a replacement component, call a Keithley Instruments office for information.

To clean an instrument, use a damp cloth or mild, water based cleaner. Clean the exterior of the instrument only. Do
not apply cleaner directly to the instrument or allow liquids to enter or spill on the instrument. Products that consist
of a circuit board with no case or chassis (e.g., data acquisition board for installation into a computer) should never
require cleaning if handled according to instructions. If the board becomes contaminated and operation is affected,
the board should be returned to the factory for proper cleaning/servicing.

heading in a manual explains dangers that might result in personal injury or death. Always read the

heading in a manual explains hazards that could damage the instrument. Such damage may invalidate

Table of Contents

Preface

1

Overview

Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-1

Supporting Software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-2

Accessories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-3

Functional Description

2

Ground Types . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-3

Input-Conditioning Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-3

Multiplexer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-4

Instrumentation Amplifier . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-5

CJC Circuit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-7

Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-8

Inspection and Setup

3

Unwrapping and Inspecting Your EXP-1800 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-1

Locating Setup Components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-2

Setting the Input-Conditioning Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-3

Signal Filtering (Switch 1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-4

Open-Thermocouple Detection (Switches 2 and 3) . . . . . . . 3-4

Ground Selection (Switches 3 and 4) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-4

4-to-20 mA Current Measuring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-5

Positioning the Channel-Select Jumper . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-5

Setting the CJC-Select Switch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-6

Setting Up for Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-6

Installing a PG-408A DC/DC Converter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-7

Installing in a Desktop Enclosure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-8

Cabling and Wiring

4

Connecting to a DAS Board . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1

Connecting to a KPCI-3108 Series Board . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-2

Connecting Multiple EXP-1800s on Standoffs . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-3

Connecting Multiple EXP-1800s in Desktop Enclosure . . . . . 4-6

Connecting an FWA-EXP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-8

i

Connecting an FWA-1800U . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-10

Connecting Signals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-11

Precautions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-11

Precautions for Using a DAS Board at High Gains . . . 4-11

Additional Precautions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-12

Common Connection Schemes for Differential Inputs . . . 4-12

Avoiding Ground Loops with Differential Inputs . . . . . . . 4-14

5

Calibration

When using DAS Boards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-1

Equipment Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-1

Potentiometer Locations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-2

Calibration Procedure (DAS boards, ASO software) . . . . . . 5-3

When using KPCI Boards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-4

Equipment Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-4

Configuration of DriverLINX . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-4

Configuration of EXP-1800 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-6

Procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-6

Troubleshooting

6

Problem Isolation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-1

Testing the Board and Host Computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-3

Testing the Input Connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-4

Technical Support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-4

A

Specifications

B

Connector Pin Assignments

Main I/O Connector for DAS Boards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-1

I/O Connectors of the EXP-1800 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-2

C

Channel Numbers for Software

When using DAS Boards with ASO Software . . . . . . . . . . . . . C-2

When using DriverLINX Software

(DAS or KPCI Boards) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C-4

ii

List of Figures

Figure 2-1 Block Diagram of EXP-1800 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-2

Figure 2-2 EXP-1800 Input Conditioning Circuits at

Each Input . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-3

Figure 2-3 Power Select Circuit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-8

Figure 3-1 Component Locations on the EXP-1800 . . . . . . 3-2

Figure 3-2 A 4-Pole DIP Switch for Input-Conditioning

Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-3

Figure 3-3 EXP-1800 Jumper Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-5

Figure 3-4 Locating Pin 1 on the PG-408A and

the Socket . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-7

Figure 3-5 ENCL-4 Shell with Four Pairs of Slotted

Card Guides (rear panel not shown) . . . . . . 3-8

Figure 3-6 ENCL-4 Enclosure Containing Four

EXP-1800s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-9

Figure 4-1 Connecting an EXP-1800 to a DAS Board . . . . . 4-1

Figure 4-2 Channel Expansion — EXP-1800 Connection . . 4-2
Figure 4-3 Connecting Multiple EXP-1800s on Standoffs . 4-3
Figure 4-4 Connecting External Power for Multiple

EXP-1800s on Standoffs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-4

Figure 4-5 Connecting Multiple EXP-1800s in an

ENCL-4 Desktop Enclosure . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-6

Figure 4-6 Connecting External Power to EXP-1800s

in an ENCL Series Enclosure (lower

EXP-1800 is powered by DAS board) . . . . 4-7

Figure 4-7 Attaching an FWA-EXP to an EXP-1800 . . . . . 4-8

Figure 4-8 Clamping Wire Pairs Attached to Screw

Terminals of the FWA-EXP . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-9

Figure 4-9 Attaching an FWA-1800U to an EXP-1800 . . . 4-10
Figure 4-10 Clamping Wire Pairs Attached to Screw

Terminals of the FWA-1800U . . . . . . . . . . 4-10

Figure 4-11 Three Types of Connections for Wiring a

Signal Source to an FWA-EXP or to

Connector J5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-13

Figure 4-12 A Differential Input Configuration that

Avoids a Ground Loop . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-14

Figure 4-13 Differential Input Configuration with a

Ground Loop . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-14

Figure 5-1 Component Locations on the EXP-1800 . . . . . . 5-2

Figure 5-2 General Purpose Output . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-5

Figure 5-3 Configuration for Single Ended Mode . . . . . . . . 5-5

Figure 5-4 Testing Panel Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-6

iii

Figure 5-5 Selecting a Gain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-7

Figure B-1 Pin Assignments for Main I/O Connectors

of DAS-1800ST/HR/AO Series Boards . . . . B-1

Figure B-2 Pin Assignments for Connectors J6 and J7

of the EXP-1800 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-2

Figure B-3 Pin Assignments for Connector J1 of the

EXP-1800 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-3

Figure B-4 Pin Assignments for Connector J5 of the

EXP-1800 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-4

Figure C-1 Analog Input Channels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C-3

Figure C-2 Analog Input Channels when Using

DriverLINX Driver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C-4

List of Tables

Table 2-1 Gains and Ranges for a DAS-1801ST/AO

board with an EXP-1800 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-5

Table 2-2 Gains and Ranges for a DAS-1802ST/HR/AO board

with an EXP-1800 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-6

Table 2-3 Gains and Ranges for a KPCI-3108 board

with an EXP-1800 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-6

Table 6-1 Troubleshooting Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-1

Figure A-1 General Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-1

Figure C-1 Channel Numbers in Maximum EXP-1800

Configuration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C-2

iv

Preface

This guide is intended to help you understand the installation, interface
requirements, functions, and operation of the EXP-1800 expansion
accessory. The EXP-1800 is an accessory for DAS-1800ST/HR/AO
Series boards (referred to in this manual as the DAS boards) or
KPCI-3107/KPCI-3108 boards (referred to as KPCI boards).

This guide focuses primarily on describing the EXP-1800 and its
capabilities, setup, and typical hookups. The guide also treats calibration
and troubleshooting. To follow the information and instructions contained
in this manual, you must be familiar with the operation of an IBM
PC/XT™ and PC AT® (or equivalents) in the MS-DOS® or Windows™
environments. You must also be familiar with data-acquisition principles
and application.

™

Organization of the

Chapter 1 describes the features and accessories of the EXP-1800.

●

Chapter 2 describes operating features of the EXP-1800 in more

●

EXP-1800 User’s Guide

is as follows:

detail. This chapter contains a block diagram and brief descriptions of
the features as they relate to your options for setting up and using the
EXP-1800s.

Chapter 3 contains instructions for inspecting and setting up the

●

EXP-1800.

Chapter 4 shows the preferred methods of making I/O (Input/Output)

●

connections to a DAS/KPCI board and available accessories.

●

Chapter 5 discusses calibration requirements and instructions.

●

Chapter 6 contains information on isolating and determining the
source of operating problems. This chapter also contains instructions
for obtaining technical support.

v

Appendix A contains EXP-1800 specifications.

●

●

Appendix B contains pin assignments for the DAS board and
EXP-1800 I/O connectors.

●

Appendix C describes the assignment of logical channel numbers for
a DAS/KPCI board and all attached EXP-1800s for use in software
such as the Control Panel utility (ASO) or AIO Panel Utility
(DriverLINX).

●

An index completes this guide.

vi

1

Overview

The EXP-1800 is an external channel-expansion accessory that places 16
differential inputs on any single-ended input channel of an attached
DAS-1800ST/HR/AO Series or KPCI-3108 Series board. A daisy chain
of EXP-1800s can provide up to 256 channels of measurement to an
attached DAS/KPCI board.* The channel-gain queue of the attached
DAS/KPCI board controls the multiplexing sequence of input channels
and the gains on the EXP-1800, enabling high-speed acquisition of data
from the expansion channels.

This chapter describes the features, supporting software, and accessories
of the EXP-1800.

*Note:

using 2700 series systems, which will have reduced noise and lower
system pricing.

Configurations of more than 4 EXP’s may be better implemented

Features

Features of the EXP-1800 include the following:

Contains 16 differential inputs.

●

●

Multiplexes the differential inputs under the control of and at the
speed of the host DAS/KPCI board.

Provides optimum throughput even with changing gains.

●

●

Connects in a daisy chain to additional EXP-1800s through ribbon
cable to provide up to 256 inputs for a DAS/KPCI board.

Features 1-1

Contains a 16-position jumper block for selecting the input channel of

●

the attached DAS/KPCI board.

●

Offers gains of 1 and 50 that combine with gains of the DAS/KPCI
board to provide usable system gains of 1 to 400.

●

Works with optional, plug-in, field-wiring accessories containing
convenient screw terminals.

●

Provides mass-termination connector access for its own I/O channels
and for the DAS/KPCI board I/O.

●

Accepts power from the computer or from an external source that
switches in only while the computer is on. *KPCI-3108 requires use
of external power and PG-408A.

●

Provides holes for a 4-to-20 mA current-measuring resistor at each
input (additional range is available with other resistance values).

●

Contains a switch-activated, 80 Hz, passive filter for each input.

Contains a switch-activated, open-thermocouple-detection circuit for

●

each input.

Contains a switch-activated, low-side bias resistor for each input.

●

(Before you use this circuit, refer to the cautionary note on page 3-4.)

Contains two, non-interactive, offset trimpots for input calibration

●

●

Works with the supporting software of the attached DAS/KPCI board.

●

Conforms to VME 6U card size and fits a variety of Eurocard
enclosures, including the ENCL Series enclosures from Keithley.

Supporting Software

Supporting software for the DAS/KPCI boards also supports the
EXP-1800. Refer to your DAS/KPCI board user’s guide for a description
of this software.

1-2 Overview

Accessories

The following accessories are available for use with the EXP-1800:

●

CAB-50

is the cable you use to form a daisy chain of EXP-1800s; this
cable is available in two lengths, as follows: the CAB-50 is 4 inches
long, and the CAB-50/1 is 18 inches long.

CDAS-2000

●

is the cable you use to connect an EXP-1800 to a DAS

board; this cable is 24 inches long.

CAB-PWR

●

is the cable you use to connect external power to an
EXP-1800 in a daisy chain; this cable is available in two lengths, as
follows: the CAB-PWR is 4 inches long and the CAB-PWR/1 is 18
inches long with a jack on one end and stripped and tinned leads on
the other.

●

FWA-EXP

is a field-wiring accessory containing screw terminals and
a CJC circuit. This accessory plugs into connector J5 to deliver
signals from field wiring to the input channels of the EXP-1800.

●

FWA-1800U

is a field-wiring accessory containing screw terminals.
This accessory plugs into connector J1 on the EXP-1800 to route
signals from field wiring directly to the attached DAS/KPCI board.

●

ENCL Series

are desktop enclosures for one (ENCL-1), two
(ENCL-2), or four (ENCL-4) EXP-1800s with access for all required
cabling or accessories.

●

PG-408A

is a snap-in DC/DC converter module for use with an

EXP-1800 that is to be powered from an external +5 V source.

●

PWR-5V

is a power supply for supplying external power to
EXP-1800s; this supply has an IEC 320 connector and converts 100
to 240 VAC at 50 to 60 Hz to +5 VDC.

●

STA-3108-A1 and CACC-2000

are used to connect an EXP-1800 to

a CAB-1284CC cable from a KPCI-3108 Series board.

Accessories 1-3

2

Functional Description

This chapter describes features of the EXP-1800. The descriptions are
provided to familiarize you with the operating options and to enable you
to make the best use of your EXP-1800. Figure 2-1 shows a block
diagram of the EXP-1800.

2-1

FWA-EXP

input

FWA-1800U

FWA

I/O

Connector J5

• Low-side bias return

• Current-sense resistor

Figure 2-1. Block Diagram of EXP-1800

Gain = 1or 50

Differential

Inputs

16

at each Channel:

• Filtering

• Open TC detect

• Low-side ground connect

Multiplexer

Channel

16:1

EXP

CJC

CJC-

Select

Switch

Input-conditioning circuits

Connector J1

DAS Board I/O

+15 V −15 V

Power

Jumper

Select

Channel-

Board

DAS

board

MUX and Gain Control Lines

Cable to

DAS

BOARD

J3

external

supply

DAS

from

Select

Switch

+5 V

Power-

EXT

J4

EXPs

of

chain

daisy

Connector J7Connector J6

+5 V to

chain of

EXPs

Cable to

daisy

2-2 Functional Description

Ground T ypes

An EXP-1800 contains separate grounds for low-level signals, analog
power returns, digital signals, and the chassis. The ground for analog
signals is LL GND (low-level ground); as its title suggests, LL GND is
for low-level analog input signals and is designed to be as noise-free as
possible. The ground for analog power returns, bypass capacitors, and so
on is GND A. The ground for digital signals is GND D. Chassis ground is
CH GND.

Input-Conditioning Options

The input of each EXP-1800 channel contains the conditioning circuitry
shown in Figure 2-2.

+5 V

R

20 MΩ

Open TC Detect

TC

CHAN n HI

User Input
Channel

CHAN n LO

Low-Side

Connect

to

LL GND

Switch 2

n

Switch 4

RF1

1 kΩ

Mounting
Holes for
4-to-20 mA
Current
Measuring
Resistor

RF2

1 kΩ

Switch 3

80 Hz Filter

Switch 1

R

= 10 kΩ

BIAS

Low-Side

Bias Return

to GND A

CHAN n HI to MUX

CF 1.0 µF

CHAN n LO to MUX

Figure 2-2. EXP-1800 Input Conditioning Circuits at Each Input

Ground Types 2-3

Descriptions of the individual conditioning circuits are as follows:

●

Filtering

- Closing switch 1 activates an 80 Hz low-pass filter

composed of RF1, RF2 and CF.

●

Open-thermocouple detection

an open-thermocouple detector composed of R

●

Low-side bias return -

Closing switch 3 provides a reference to

analog power ground (GND A) through R

- Closing switches 2 and 3 activates

TC and RBIAS.

for ungrounded

BIAS

differential inputs. This reference to ground provides some isolation
from other channels. Before using this switch, refer to the cautionary
note on page 3-4.

●

Low-side ground connect

- Closing switch 4 enables you to
reference an input directly to low-level ground (LL GND), making a
single-ended input. Before using this switch, refer to the cautionary
note on page 3-4.

Multiplexer

Mounting holes for 4-to-20 mA current-measuring resistor

●

­Selecting and mounting a resistor in these holes allows you to make
4-to-20 mA or other current measurements.

Refer to page 3-4 for information on setting up the input conditioning
options.

An EXP-1800 multiplexes signals from 16 differential analog input
channels into one signal for the analog output. The sequence of channel
sampling in the multiplexer is selected by a 4-bit TTL/CMOS-compatible
address on the multiplexer control lines. These lines receive the 4-bit
address signals from QRAM output lines MUX 4 to MUX 7, on the
DAS/KPCI board (see Appendix B for pin assignments).

You set up the multiplexer channel-sampling sequence in the DAS/KPCI
board’s channel-gain queue (in the QRAM circuit) using the provided
utility (see the board user’s guide) or driver software (see the board driver
user’s guide). See Appendix C for channel assignments.

2-4 Functional Description

Instrumentation Amplifier

The multiplexer output feeds to an instrumentation amplifier with a
software-selectable gain of 1 or 50. You set the gain in the DAS/KPCI
board channel-gain queue using the panel utility (see the DAS/KPCI
board user’s guide) or driver (see the board driver user’s guide). The
DAS/KPCI board delivers the gain code to the EXP-1800 gain control
lines through QRAM output line GEXT.

Total gain for an EXP-1800 input is the product of the gain settings for the
EXP-1800 and the DAS/KPCI board. Table 2-1 shows the achievable
gains for a DAS-1801ST/AO board and an attached EXP-1800.

T ab le 2-1. Gains and Ranges for a DAS-1801ST/AO board with

an EXP-1800

DAS Board

Gain

1 1 1 0 to 5 V

5 1 5 0 to 1 V

50 1 50 0 to 100 mV ±100 mV

250 1 250 0 to 20 mV ±20 mV

1 50 50 0 to 100 mV ±100 mV

5 50 250 0 to 20 mV ±20 mV

50 50 2500 0 to 2 mV ±2 mV

250 50 12500 0 to 0.4 mV ±0.4 mV

Note:

While Table 2-1 shows gains of 2500 and 12500 as achievable, the

EXP-1800

Gain

System

Gain

System

Unipolar Range

use of these gains is not practical for typical applications.

System Bipolar

Range

±

5.0 V

±

1.0 V

Instrumentation Amplifier 2-5

Table 2-2 shows the achievable gains for a DAS-1802ST/HR/AO board
and an attached EXP-1800.

Table 2-2. Gains and Ranges for a DAS-1802ST/HR/AO board

with an EXP-1800

DAS Board

Gain

1 1 1 0 to +10.0 V ±10 V

2 1 2 0 to +5.0 V ±5.0 V

4 1 4 0 to 2.5 V ± 2.5 V

8 1 8 0 to 1.25 V ±1.25 V

1 50 50 0 to 0.2 V ±0.2 V

2 50 100 0 to 0.1 V ±0.1 V

4 50 200 0 to 50 mV ±50 mV

8 50 400 0 to 25 mV ±25 mV

EXP-1800

Gain

System

Gain

System

Unipolar Range

Table 2-3. Gains and Ranges for a KPCI-3108 board

with an EXP-1800

KPCI-3108

Board Gain

EXP-1800

Gain

System

Gain

System

Unipolar Range

System Bipolar

Range

System Bipolar

Range

1 1 1 0 to +10.0 V ±10 V

2 1 2 0 to +5.0 V ±5.0 V

4 1 4 0 to 2.5 V ±2.5 V

8 1 8 0 to 1.25 V ±1.25 V

10 1 10 0 to 1.0 V ±1.0 V

20 1 20 0 to 0.5 V ±0.5 V

40 1 40 0 to 0.25 V ±0.25 V

1 50 50 0 to 0.2 V ±0.2 V

80 1 80 0 to 0.125 V ±0.125 V

2-6 Functional Description

Table 2-3. Gains and Ranges for a KPCI-3108 board

with an EXP-1800 (cont.)

KPCI-3108

Board Gain

2 50 100 0 to 100 mV ±100 mV

4 50 200 0 to 50 mV ±50 mV

8 50 400 0 to 25 mV ±25 mV

10 50 500 0 to 20 mV ±20 mV

800 1 800 0 to 12.5 mV ±12.5 mV

20 50 1000 0 to 10 mV ±10 mV

*40 50 2000 0 to 5 mV ±5 mV

*80 50 4000 0 to 2.5 mV ±2.5 mV

*100 50 5000 0 to 2.0 mV ±2.0 mV

*200 50 10000 0 to 1.0 mV ±1.0 mV

*400 50 20000 0 to 0.5 mV ±0.5 mV

*800 50 40000 0 to 0.25 mV ±0.25 mV

*Achievable gains, but unlikely to be practical in typical applications.

EXP-1800

Gain

System

Gain

System

Unipolar Range

System Bipolar

Range

CJC Circuit

The EXP-1800 contains CJC circuitry that delivers 0.0 mV at 0°C and

10.0 mV/˚C. You use the CJC on the EXP-1800 when you are not using an
FWA-EXP (which contains its own CJC).

When you are using the CJC on the EXP-1800, set the CJC source-select
switch to EXP. When you are using the CJC on an FWA-EXP, set the CJC
source-select switch to FWA. You can connect the CJC output voltage to
any EXP-1800 input channel using jumper wires on an FWA-EXP (refer
to “Connecting an FWA-EXP” on page 4-8 for instructions) or on a
mass-termination connector at J5.

CJC Circuit 2-7