How do I use the VI for Yokogawa WT200 series?

[duganbr]

So I have a Yokogawa WT210 power meter and I have downloaded the example VI's for communicating with this device.  My WT210 and COM1 on the PC are set to 9600,8,N,1 without flow control.  The WT210 successfully reads voltage, current, etc.  When I use the example VI's, they don't work.  All I want to do is read a voltage, current and power factor from the WT210.

If I use the "initialize" function (or any other function, for that matter) it returns some random error number that means nothing to me.  Do I need to set up something in Measurement and Automation Explorer or VISA to be able to recognize the WT210?  Oh - I've also tried toggling the WT210 VI's between ASRL and GPIB without any luck.  Any help would be appreciated.  Thanks

[Dennis_Knutson]

If you have automatic error handling turned on, you will get a description of the error. If you don't, right clicking on the error number and selecting Explain Error will get you a description. If you still don't understand the error, you can use the forum search tool to look for the error code. If that still doesn't help, then you should post the error code with your question. There are a lot of things that might be wrong and you need to provide the information required to narrow them down.

[Wayne.C]

I am currently using several WT230's.  I had a bit of trouble early on with cables and terminaton characters.   Make sure you are using a null modem cable and verify the settings for termination characters. 

I would strongly suggest using the VISA Test Panel in MAX to test communications with your meter.  You can also use HyperTerminal.  If you send the "*IDN?" command, the instrument should respond with it's model # and some other info.  Make sure this works before you try and use the vi's.

[duganbr]

Thank you both for your replies. 

In MAX, I can sucessfully validate the connection. COM1 -> validate gives "Successfully opened a VISA session to ASRL::INSTR. All of the parameters on this page are valid."

When I run the YKWT200 Getting Started VI, it gives an error during the "initialize" portion of the VI.  It says the error number is -1073807339, which "explain error" translates to "VISA Read in YKWT200 Initialize.vi->YKWT200 Getting Started.vi.  Possible reason(s): VISA:  (Hex 0xBFFF0015) Timeout expired before operation completed."

[duganbr]

Update:  I fixed my problem.  I went through the config menus on the WT210 and changed what looked like "nor" for normal mode to 488.2.  I ran the "initialize" function and the WT210 clicked and set itself to autorange.

Looks like I'm good to go.  Thanks guys!