How do you preform an "External Calibration" in Calibration Executive 3.5?

[CalLab_Mark]

I'm using a just-purchased Calibration Executive 3.5 to annually verify E- and M-series DAQ cards.  I have a few cards that fail the procedure with the error 200545:

"Self-calibration failed. The self-calibration date has not changed.
Disconnect the device from external signals, as they might introduce noise.
Externally calibrate the device to recalibrate the onboard voltage reference that is used for self-calibration."

The program halts and there's no option to perform this step and nothing in the documentation I've reviewed describes the process.

How is this done?

These cards were removed from running stands and function normally except for bombing out of the calibration program.  If they won't pass calibration they are expensive scrap to us.

[SnowMule]

Not sure about CalExec, but in Labview you open a cal session, apply a voltage to the device on an analog input (Voltage doesn't need to be precise, but the measurement of htat voltage does. I use a programmable power supply and measure that output with a 6.5-digit DMM and use the DMM's reading), write that reading into the DAQ and close/save the cal reference, then do a self-test to adjust the ADC. They're pretty easy to do.

Ext-Cal adjusts the internal reference to an external standard.
Self-Cal adjusts the A/D's to the internal reference.

[CalLab_Mark]

Can you describe how to "open a cal session"?  I'm a calibration tech--not a Labview guy.  The cal PC doesn't even have Labview installed on it--the program comes compiled & locked--but I can install the card into another PC that does have Labview.  When I open some random .vi on the LV PC I don't see any calibration utilities in the menus.

[SnowMule]

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@CalLab Mark wrote:

Can you describe how to "open a cal session"?  I'm a calibration tech--not a Labview guy.  The cal PC doesn't even have Labview installed on it--the program comes compiled & locked--but I can install the card into another PC that does have Labview.  When I open some random .vi on the LV PC I don't see any calibration utilities in the menus.

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I have zero experience with CalExec, I'm going to bet there's a tool in there to do the same thing that LabVIEW does. 

Here's the calibration manual for B/E/M/S/X devices, follow the instructions in there...

Here's where the cal tools live in the LV pallete:

Check that the temperatures are within range (see the cal manual above):

Apply and measure the reference voltage, then write it into the DAQ with this:

[CalLab_Mark]

Unfortunately this $5000 program has no tools.  Imagine a calibration program that halts when a voltage is out of spec and doesn't provide the means to adjust it.  Ordinarily if the card passes the Self Calibration step (early in the procedure) it proceeds to verify the inputs & outputs.  THEN it compares the cal constants to the external reference and automatically makes adjustments, then re-verifies the AI/AO.  The program seems set up to halt if the Self Calibration fails and there's no ability to get to the Adjust step.  Sad.

[CalLab_Mark]

The absense of a factory reply to this thread tells me all I need to know about NI tech support for their $5000 CD.  It's being returned for lacking the functionality and instrument support (another thread) that was promised.  I've been using an earlier version of this program for several years and it has NEVER functioned in Automatic mode.  I pushed to get the new version so I could finally get the support needed to resolve those issues.  I'm getting no love from NI via phone, email or forum.  I get better support for freeware & $2 Android apps 😞

[greg_ae]

Hi Mark,

The DAQmx pallete as shown by "Snowmule" should be there if the drivers are installed properly on the system which has LabVIEW.

Did you try calling local NI Support for the assistance ?
If not done so far, please post you query to them, you shall have the requisite solution.

Regards

Gautam Grover

[CalLab_Mark]

As mentioned previously Cal Exec is an .exe, not a .vi so Labview shouldn't even be required.  The $5000 program doesn't come with the utilities needed to make necessary adjustments, nor does it support the instruments promised.  In the end for $5000 all it offered over my 15 year old version were procedures for newer M-series cards  A rip-off.

[Cameron-T]

Mark,

This seems like an issue that would be better addressed using National Instruments Support. The discussion forums are a means of collaboration and the exchange of ideas. For a more direct form of support for your issue I would recommend that you create a Service Request by calling 1-866-275-6964 or visiting our website (ni.com/support). 

[CalLab_Mark]

Cameron,

As indicated above, those avenues were pursued.  Prior to purchase we were assured our standards were supported by the new version of the program and would operate in Automatic mode.  At that time there was a long list of over 30 Supported Calibrators in the online documentation and Faq pages.  When we found only 1 calibrator listed in the program we called & wrote tech support and at the end of the back & forth the answer was "not supported". Only the Fluke 5700 Calibrator is supported and presumably will run in Automatic mode.

That 30+ list is now gone from the website.

My intent in posting the question here was to seek help from someone else in the organization who might offer a workable solution, or at least an explanation why only 1 standard is supported and why there are no utilities to make adjustments to a failed DAQ card.  Being a public forum I had also hoped to hear from end-users who had encountered the same lack of support and have found a work-around. 

At a minimum I wanted to make the issue known to more than just the couple CSRs that wouldn't or couldn't help.

I hope this further clarifies the issues for you.