thermocouple reads 1000F when it should read room temp

[Nisthal]

The cement exotherm program has a problem with the thermocouple, it reads 1000°F when starting the test when it should be reading room temperature. We've replaced the thermocouple, checked the cable connection to the back of the computer and ran some diagnostics on the two com ports--the problem persists.

I'm trying to get troubleshooting information from NI Instruments to further diagnose the problem--I suspect that either the converter box (DAQPad I believe is called) or the serial cable has gone bad or on the computer end, the software's configuration has changed (become corrupt), or the computer's device or settings is causing a problem.

Checking the computer's hardware settings shows the both com ports are working properly, but from the software's diagnostic utility, there is a problem communicating with com port 2--not sure if this is the port being used by the software. Also, there does not appear to be a DAQ configuration present--perhaps i'm not looking in the right place.

[Sean_C.]

Hello Nisthal,

What hardware are you using to take these measurements?  Also, what version of NI-DAQ do you have installed?

To help isolate the problem, try either grounding one input channel or attaching a known voltage (a battery, for example) and open a test panel for your device in Measurement and Automation Explorer.  If you can read the correct voltage here, then the problem lies with either your thermocouple or, more likely, the software.

Let me know your results.

Regards,
Sean C.