How to avoid GPIB ECIC 1 Error?

[Controls_Engineer]

I am communicating with an electric load through GPIB port. I am using only GPIB read and Write VIs to write commands and read values from the load. Occassionally I get an error, ECIC 1 syaing that Command requires GPIB Controller to be Controller-In-Charge.  How can I avoid causing this error? I am not doing any kind of bitwise operations, so I do not want to use the CIC bit checking thing. Is there any other simpler way?

[JenK]

Hi,

Check out this knowledgebase article that talks about the different GPIB errors and how to resolve them.  The second error on the list is the one you mentioned, ECIC 1.

https://www.ni.com/en/support/documentation/supplemental/22/gpib-error-codes-and-common-solutions.ht...

If you follow these steps and still get the same results then repost.  Thanks!

JenK

[Controls_Engineer]

Thank you very much for your reply. But I had already read this document. That is the reason I mentioned in my posting that I do not want to deal with bitwise command and was looking for some other option. I was wondering if running the VI before switching ON the instrument connected to the GPIB port, any such operation would cause this problem.

[mikeporter]

It sound like you are working at a much lower level than you need to be.

What version of LV are you using? 

Is there a reason you can't use the VISA drivers for the gpib communications?

Finally, what is the make/model of the electric load you are working with?

Mike...

[Controls_Engineer]

I have an electric load that has a GPIB port. It is connected to the USB port of my computer through GPIB-USB-B from National Instruments. I am using GPIB read and GPIB write functions to communicate with the load.   Occasionaly I get this ECIC 1 error which I want to prevent, otherwise the program works absolutely fine.

 I understand that  I have to make sure that the GPIB controller becomes the CIC everytime the program starts,and for that  I should give a Interface clear command.  I tried using the GPIB initialization and GPIB Miscellanoues command. But that causes an error in the GPIB read function. I do not understand what's happening. can you please help me?

Also how do I find what is the GPIB Bus number?

Thank you.

[mikeporter]

Rather than messing around with those very low-level commands, try using the VISA software interface instead. It's much easier

to use. The attached VI is a very simple example of how to use VISA to communicate with GPIB devices. The manual for your external GPIB interface should tell you the VISA Resource Name to use to communicate with it.

Your CIC problems should go away because these drivers make sure the GPIB interface is the controller.

Mike...