DAQCard 6036E does not read AI voltage

[vdp]

Hello,

I'm new to using NI data acquisition systems and I'm encountering some difficulties while setting up the system. I am using DAQCard 6036E with NI Measurement and Automation Explorer and trying to measure voltage generated by Kistler 5011 charge amplifier. The charge amplifier sends out voltage signals approximately in the range on 5 to 30 mV and I am sure this voltage reaches the DAQCard as I have measured it with a multimeter from the cable (SHC68-68-EPM) connected to the card. However, I cannot see the signal with the MAX, neither on the test panel nor in a voltage measurement task. The software just displays a constant flat line at the value of the minimum input limit. Changing the input limits will result in change of the measured value accordingly to the new minimum limit (I have tried setting different limits in the range of 10 ... -10 volts to 0,1 ... -0,1 volts). Input configuration is set to RSE, but I have also tried all other available settings. It seems that the graph dislayed by MAX does not reflect the value of my voltage signal in any way, for

example it does not respond to switching off my charge amplifier nor experimenting with 1,5V input voltage. The software does not indicate that there is any problem with the card.

I have also checked and double-checked that the pins are connected correctly (AI0 - pins 67, 68; AI1- Pins32, 33; AI2 pins 64, 65). I have downloaded the latest version (8.8) of NI-DAQmx drivers and tried it with two different laptops (both equipped with Windows XP) with identically appalling results.

Can you give me any suggestions what might be the problem? If you need any additional information about my setup, I will be glad to provide it to you.

Cheers,

Jaanus

[Doug_L._Bear]

Hey Jaanus,

It sounds like you have taken a lot of troubleshooting steps already and have narrowed the issue down to your card.  I would recommend you call NI-Support to see if your card can be RMA'd for repair.  It is an older card so is probably no longer under warranty just to give you a heads up.

Doug F

[Jeff at home]

A brief review of the 5011 spec tells me its not a signal source.  what are you driving this amplifier with and do you have it's specs?

[Doug_L._Bear]

I was assuming that your 1.5 Voltage source was a battery?  If it was not, I would recommend trying to read in something like that, just to eliminate the amplifier as a source of error.

[vdp]

Thanks for your replies,

Kistler 5011B is a charge amplifier that converts charge signals from a piezoelectric sensor into voltage signals. I have already eliminated it as a source of error by testing with input voltage from a 1,5V battery and 0...5V signal from Kistler crank angle encoder. All signals are ok when measured with multimeter from the connector, but MAX still shows me nothing but flat line at minimum input limit with RSE and random noise with differential or NRSE input configuration. My wiring is RSE.

I ran the DAQ Diagnostic Utility 2.0 and the card passed all the tests - can there still be something wrong with it, regardless of the test results?

I am now looking for another NI card to borrow and test it with my application.

Jaanus

Message Edited by vdp on 02-11-2009 04:49 AM

[Doug_L._Bear]

Hey, I would still say your device is shot.  A card can pass the DAQ Diagnostic Utility and still be broken.  I would still recommend you call in and RMA your device.