Switch on bulb using PCI-6254

[Saloutios]

Hello everyone,

For the purpose of synchronizing visual and IR recordings of test, I am trying to use my PCI 6251 to produce a digital output that could light a common small light bulb ( let's say similar to the ones you could see in your bike light, right now I have bulbs from 1.5V to 6.5V, can use any of them).

Image synchronization should be achieved by lighting a small light bulb which could be the reference frame of both visual and IR recordings. The problem was that IR cameras cannot detect LED light or IR LED light ( out of wavelength range) so I need to use a more ''hot'' bulb like these common incandescent bulbs.

Neither AO or Digital output signals can supply directly the required power to light such a bulb. So I was thinking using the digital output to drive a relay that could switch on/off a battery supply ( or a small mains to DC transformer).

Could you please help me out of how I can do that?I am not very good with electronic components and even though I read in the forumn about solid state relays, I am very confused of how I can actually implement such a solution.

I thank you in advance.

[LV_Pro]

Do a search for "Solid State Relay" (SSR), these are devices which can be switched by a logic signal without requiring excessive drive current from your DAQ device. As you have noted, the DAQ device isn't designed to supply the relatively high current 10X - 100x mA) needed by an incandecent lamp, are actually only designed to supply a signal level of relatively low current ( a few mA). Most SSR will also require their own DC supply, but this can probably be the same one used to power the lamp.