Using LabVIEW to control power switch?

[wzz525]

My ultimate purpose is to control the switch of a light lamp. I want to power on the lamp and collect the data through a DAQ simultaneously. I think instead of directly controlling the lamp, it might be easier to control the power which connect with the lamp. I searched such device online, and found one --- PowerUSB (http://www.pwrusb.com/) might be available to easily control the on/off of power by using its own software (easily click the checkbox shown in the pic). So my biggest question is how to connect LabVIEW with this external software? I have no ideas. Could anyone give me some clues?

Attached is the setup file of the software of PowerUSB if anyone wants.

Thanks,

Zz

[wzz525]

It seems that I cannot upload the setup file.

[Matthew_Kelton]

In their download section, they have developer files.  Have you tried those?  I would imagine they provide a much simpler interface.

[wzz525]

Thanks for your reply.

No, I haven't tried the developer files. I contacted with the manufacturer, they said they don't have drivers for LabVIEW, but they do know that there are some people using LabVIEW to control their device.

I'm a beginner in LabVIEW. So it would be a tough question for me to do some advanced interface problems.

[Matthew_Kelton]

WHat do they have?  I imagine it is a DLL or .NET interface.  That is probably much easier to handle than trying to launch their UI and programatically send it key strokes or mouse button presses.  More robust as well.  You would be able to get some help from the forums with the interface if you have issues, but that is by far the best way to go.

[Mark_Yedinak]

APC also makes some network controllable power devices. We use the APC 7900 PDU. We also have an SNMP based LabVIEW library for controling these devices. I'm not sure what your budget is or how much the device you posted runs. The APC PDUs are in the $440 range.

[Matthew_Kelton]

There are also some lower end solutions if you go to a network.

[wzz525]

Hi Mark,

You mean APC has extant LabVIEW library that I can easily control the power in LabVIEW? That would be great.

[SimonH]

If you haven't already purchased the USB controlled power switch, another option which might work for you is to just to use a relay to control power to the lamp (assuming you have a multifunction DAQ device).

Something like this kit or this product from SparkFun connected to a digital output would work if you have a DO port available.

~Simon

[wzz525]

Our DAQ device is http://www.mccdaq.com/usb-data-acquisition/USB-2404-10.aspx

Does this work for the SparkFun devices you mentioned? Thanks.