What is a low cost switch that can talk with Labview?

[Dan51]

Hello! I apologize if this question is in the wrong sub-forum; just let me know a more appropriate one and I will happily move it.

I have a test chip with four devices on it that I measure through a lock-in amplifier. Currently we can do one measurement, then have to physically switch the connection to test the next one. I would like to automate this process. I have hunted around for a relatively low cost switch that can talk to Labview and allow it to select one of the four signals in turn, but haven't had much luck. I was wondering if anyone had any recommendations or devices they had worked with.

Thanks in advance,

Dan

[johnsold]

Dan,

What kinds of voltages, currents, and powers are you switching and carrying through the switches? Do you switch while energized or are all the values near zero when switching occurs? How many circuits need to be switched?

Signals requiring a lock-in amplifier have very different switch requirements than power plant substations.

Lynn

[Dan51]

Lynn,

The device is actually 4 small solar cells, so we are looking at currents smaller than 1 microamp. Voltages can be anywhere in +/-10V. The values will be near zero when we switch and we would like to switch between four circuits. Thanks for the prompt reply!

Dan

[johnsold · Accepted solution]

Dan,

I would look at using reed relays.  Get ones with gold contacts so they work well at microampere currents.  Use a DAQ card with digital outputs to drive the relays.  Before you buy, check the current ratings of the relay coils and the digital outputs of the DAQ device.

Lynn

[Dan51]

Thanks for your help!