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Omega Engineering 8 Channel Thermocouple USB Data Acquisition Module TC-08 User Manual

8 channel thermocouple usb data acquisition module
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TC-08
8 Channel Thermocouple
USB Data Acquisition Module

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Summary of Contents for Omega Engineering 8 Channel Thermocouple USB Data Acquisition Module TC-08

  • Page 1 User’ s Guide Shop online at omega.com e-mail: info@omega.com For latest product manuals: omegamanual.info TC-08 8 Channel Thermocouple USB Data Acquisition Module...
  • Page 2 OMEGAnet ® Online Service omega.com Servicing North America: U.S.A.: One Omega Drive, P.O. Box 4047 ISO 9001 Certified Stamford, CT 06907-0047 TEL: (203) 359-1660 FAX: (203) 359-7700 e-mail: info@omega.com Canada: 976 Bergar Laval (Quebec) H7L 5A1, Canada TEL: (514) 856-6928 FAX: (514) 856-6886 e-mail: info@omega.ca For immediate technical or application assistance:...

  • Page 3: Table Of Contents

    Contents 1 Introduction ...1 1 Overview 2 Installing the driver 3 Connecting the USB TC-08 4 Safety warning 2 Product information ...5 1 Specifications 2 How a thermocouple works 3 Technical reference ...7 1 Introduction 2 Modes of operation ...14 3 Driver routines ...41 4 Programming...

  • Page 5: Introduction

    Introduction Overview The USB TC-08 is a temperature and voltage logger designed to support multiple thermocouples. With the accompanying TC-08 software, the unit can be used with any laptop or PC running Windows XP SP2 or Vista. If you are technically-minded and want to tailor the product to a particular application, you can write your own programs with the supplied driver.
  • Page 6 TC-08 User's Guide 4. Click the OK button. The Converter details dialog box appears 5. Select USB TC-08 from the drop-down list of converters. The device name and serial number should appear in the USB Devices pane and the USB enumeration progress bar gradually expand to 100%. If the progress bar does not start moving, disconnect and reconnect the USB TC-08, then click Refresh.
  • Page 7 8. In the TC-08 Channels window, double-click on Channel 1 unused. The Edit TC-08 Channel dialog box appears 9. From the Thermocouple drop-down list, select the type of thermocouple you are using and click OK. The TC-08 Channels dialog box reappears. Click OK.

  • Page 8: Safety Warning

    TC-08 User's Guide Safety warning We strongly recommend that you read the general safety information below before using your product for the first time. If the equipment is not used in the manner specified, then the protection provided may be impaired. This could result in damage to your computer and/or injury to yourself or others.

  • Page 9: Product Information

    Product information Specifications Resolution Thermocouple types Number of input channels Conversion time - per active channel Conversion time - CJC Uncalibrated accuracy Full scale input Common mode range Overvoltage protection Input impedance Input connectors Output connector Power requirements Environmental conditions Note: The resolution and accuracy depend upon the thermocouple type and the temperature range.

  • Page 10: How A Thermocouple Works

    TC-08 User's Guide How a thermocouple works In a closed circuit of two dissimilar metals (a thermocouple), an electric current flows when one of the two junctions is heated with respect to the other. The current continues to flow as long as the two junctions are at different temperatures. The magnitude and direction of the current is a function of the temperature difference between the junctions and of the thermal properties of the metals used in the circuit.

  • Page 11: Technical Reference

    Technical reference Introduction The USB TC-08 is supplied with driver routines that you can build into your own programs. The USB TC-08 driver supports Windows XP SP2 and Windows Vista. Once you have installed the software, the and a selection of examples of how to use the drivers. The driver is supplied as a Windows DLL.

  • Page 12: Streaming Mode

    TC-08 User's Guide 3.2.2 Streaming mode Streaming mode is an operational mode in which the USB TC-08 unit samples data and returns it to the computer in an unbroken sequence, using the onboard clock to ensure accurate timing. The unit can buffer up to two sets of readings at once. To avoid loss of readings, make sure that another application on the PC - including the one you are writing - does not prevent the driver from collecting readings for more than three sampling intervals.
  • Page 13 Example The following code is a fragment of a C application demonstrating how to use Streaming mode with the USB TC-08 driver: //================================================== // Setting up and running the unit in Streaming mode //================================================== usb_tc08_set_mains(handle, (channel = ; channel < // set each channel up as a type K thermocouple // channel 0 is the cold junction and will be enabled // by setting the third argument to anything other than ' '...

  • Page 14: Get Single Mode

    TC-08 User's Guide 3.2.3 Get Single mode Get Single mode is an operational mode in which readings are produced on demand, using the usb_tc08_get_single function. Since the function relies entirely on the timing of the calling application, it is ideal for time intervals greater than 1 minute. If high-speed sampling is required, use Streaming mode.
  • Page 15 Example The following code is a fragment of a C application demonstrating how to use Get Single mode with the USB TC-08 driver: //======================================================== // Setting up and converting readings with Get Single mode //======================================================== usb_tc08_set_mains (handle, (channel = ; channel < // set each channel up as a type K thermocouple // channel 0 is the cold junction and will be enabled // by setting the third argument to anything other than ' '...

  • Page 16: Legacy Mode

    TC-08 User's Guide 3.2.4 Legacy mode Legacy mode is designed to aid developers who have already written code for the serial version of the TC-08 and are not yet ready to rewrite their code for the Streaming Get Single going to be phased out and will eventually be removed from the driver altogether. If you want full support in the future, use the Streaming or Get Single modes.
  • Page 17 Example The following code is a fragment of a C application demonstrating how to use legacy mode with the USB TC-08 driver: //========================================================== // Setting up and running the unit in Legacy mode // This is designed to make it easier to adapt code written // for the Serial TC08 for use with the USB TC08 //========================================================== usb_tc08_set_mains(handle,...

  • Page 18: Driver Routines

    TC-08 User's Guide Driver routines 3.3.1 Introduction The following table explains each of the USB TC-08 routines: Routine New USB and serial mode usb_tc08_open_unit usb_tc08_open_unit_async usb_tc08_open_unit_progress usb_tc08_close_unit usb_tc08_stop usb_tc08_set_mains usb_tc08_get_minimum_interval_ms usb_tc08_get_unit_info usb_tc08_get_formatted_info usb_tc08_get_last_error New USB mode only usb_tc08_set_channel usb_tc08_run usb_tc08_get_single usb_tc08_get_temp usb_tc08_get_temp_deskew Legacy mode only...

  • Page 19: New Usb Mode And Legacy Mode

    3.3.2 New USB mode and legacy mode 3.3.2.1 usb_tc08_open_unit short usb_tc08_open_unit (void) This routine returns a valid handle to the USB TC-08 if the driver successfully opens it. If the routine fails, see the error code explanations in the section. If you wish to use more than one USB TC-08, call this routine once for each unit connected to the PC.
  • Page 20 TC-08 User's Guide Positive short Returns The handle of a unit. No more units were found. Unit failed to open. Call usb_tc08_get_last_error with a handle of 0 to obtain the error code.
  • Page 21 Example The following code is a fragment of a C application which demonstrates how to open multiple units with the USB TC-08 driver. The handles to the open units are stored in an array for later use: //====================================================== // Opening multiple units //====================================================== (i = ;...
  • Page 22 TC-08 User's Guide 3.3.2.2 usb_tc08_open_unit_async short usb_tc08_open_unit_async (void) This routine begins enumerating USB TC-08 units in the background and provides a return immediately, so the calling thread can continue executing other code. Note: The driver is thread safe and will not allow access to a single unit from more than one application.
  • Page 23 Example The following code is a fragment of a C application which demonstrates how to open a single unit with the asynchronous open unit functions: //====================================================== // Opening a unit asynchronously //====================================================== // Tell the driver to start enumerating the unit in the background // (usb_tc08_open_unit_async returns immediately) result = usb_tc08_open_unit_async();...
  • Page 24 TC-08 User's Guide 3.3.2.3 usb_tc08_open_unit_progress short usb_tc08_open_unit_progress short * handle, short * progress Call this function after the state of the background enumeration process. For an example of usage, see usb_tc08_open_unit_async. handle Arguments progress Returns USBTC08_PROGRESS_FAIL USBTC08_PROGRESS_PENDING USBTC08_PROGRESS_COMPLETE usb_tc08_open_unit_async (Out) A handle (positive short) to the unit if the enumeration is completed.
  • Page 25 3.3.2.4 usb_tc08_close_unit short tc08_close_unit short handle This routine closes the unit for a specified USB handle. handle Arguments Returns Note: If you successfully open any USB TC-08 units, call handle before you exit from your program. If you do not, there is a chance that the unit will not reopen until it has been disconnected and reconnected.
  • Page 26 TC-08 User's Guide 3.3.2.5 usb_tc08_stop short usb_tc08_stop short handle This routine stops the unit from running. handle Arguments Returns Specifies the USB TC-08 unit. Invalid parameter. Unit stopped streaming successfully.
  • Page 27 3.3.2.6 usb_tc08_set_mains short usb_tc08_set_mains short handle, short sixty_hertz This routine sets the USB TC-08 to reject either 50 or 60 Hz. handle Arguments sixty_hertz Returns Note: If the rejection is not set correctly the unit will be more susceptible to mains interference.
  • Page 28 TC-08 User's Guide 3.3.2.7 usb_tc08_get_minimum_interval_ms long usb_tc08_get_minimum_interval_ms short handle This routine returns the minimum sampling interval (or fastest millisecond interval) that the unit can achieve in its current configuration. The configuration is defined by calling usb_tc08_set_channel(). handle Arguments Returns Minimum Interval Note: The USB TC-08 can sample, from a single channel, at a rate of 10 samples per second.
  • Page 29 3.3.2.8 usb_tc08_get_unit_info short usb_tc08_get_unit_info short USBTC08_INFO * info This routine gets the unit information and copies it to the USBTC08_INFO structure, declared in the usbtc08.h header file. If you pass zero to the function as the handle, only the driver version member will be valid, but the function will return 1 (success.) handle Arguments info...
  • Page 30 TC-08 User's Guide 3.3.2.9 usb_tc08_get_formatted_info short usb_get_formatted_info short handle, char * unit_info, short string_length This function is similar to the returned in the form of a formatted character string. The string is separated into the following elements, each appearing on a different line: driver version; hardware version;...
  • Page 31 3.3.2.10 usb_tc08_get_last_error short usb_tc08_get_last_error short handle This routine returns the last error for the unit specified by handle. If zero is passed instead of a handle, the function returns the error associated with the last call to usb_tc08_open_unit Note: If an invalid handle is passed to a function, the function will fail. The error code, however, cannot be associated with a unit so retain an error code in this instance.
  • Page 32 TC-08 User's Guide Reserved error codes Error Error code USBTC08_ERROR_NOT_RESPONDING USBTC08_ERROR_FW_FAIL USBTC08_ERROR_CONFIG_FAIL USBTC08_ERROR_NOT_FOUND USBTC08_ERROR_THREAD_FAIL USBTC08_ERROR_PIPE_INFO_FAIL USBTC08_ERROR_NOT_CALIBRATED USBTC08_ERROR_PICOPP_TOO_OLD Note: These reserved error code values are meaningful only to our technical support staff, but they are supplied to allow developers to display warnings in their applications.

  • Page 33: New Usb Mode Only

    3.3.3 New USB mode only 3.3.3.1 usb_tc08_set_channel short usb_tc08_set_channel short handle, short channel, char tc_type Call this routine once for each channel that you want to use. You can do this any time after calling usb_tc08_open_unit. By default, all channels are disabled. handle Arguments channel...
  • Page 34 TC-08 User's Guide 3.3.3.2 usb_tc08_run long usb_tc08_run short handle, long interval This routine starts the unit running with a sampling interval, specified in milliseconds. This routine should be called after handle Arguments interval Returns Interval usb_tc08_set_channel Specifies the USB TC-08 unit. Specifies the requested sampling period.
  • Page 35 3.3.3.3 usb_tc08_get_single short usb_tc08_get_single short handle, float * temp, short * overflow_flags, short units You must set up the channels before calling this function. You must not have put the unit into Streaming mode with usb_tc08_run, as this will cause usb_tc08_get_single more details and an example see the handle...
  • Page 36 TC-08 User's Guide 3.3.3.4 usb_tc08_get_temp long usb_tc08_get_temp short handle, float * temp_buffer, long * times_ms_buffer, long buffer_length, short * overflow, short channel, short units, short fill_missing Once you open the driver and set up some channels, you can call the routine.
  • Page 37 3.3.3.5 usb_tc08_get_temp_deskew long usb_tc08_get_temp_deskew short handle, float * temp, long * times, long buffer_length, short * overflow, short channel, short units, short fill_missing Same as usb_tc08_get_temp by the order in which channels are converted. Note: Unless there is a specific reason to use the usb_tc08_get_temp_deskewed instead.

  • Page 38: Legacy Mode Only

    TC-08 User's Guide 3.3.4 Legacy mode only 3.3.4.1 usb_tc08_legacy_run short usb_tc08_legacy_run short handle This routine starts the sampling thread and forces the specified unit to run in legacy mode. handle Arguments Returns Specifies the USB TC-08 unit. Use usb_tc08_get_last_error. Legacy run successful.
  • Page 39 3.3.4.2 usb_tc08_legacy_set_channel short usb_tc08_legacy_set_channel short handle, short channel, char tc_type, short filter_factor, short offset, short slope Call this routine once for each channel that you would like to take readings from. You can do this any time after calling usb_tc08_open_unit. handle Arguments channel...
  • Page 40 TC-08 User's Guide 3.3.4.3 usb_tc08_legacy_get_temp short usb_tc08_legacy_get_temp long * temp, short handle, short channel, short filtered Once you open the driver and define some channels, you can call the usb_tc08_legacy_run USB TC-08. Temperatures are returned in hundredths of a degree Celsius and voltages are returned in microvolts.
  • Page 41 3.3.4.4 usb_tc08_legacy_get_cold_junction short usb_tc08_legacy_get_cold_junction long * temp, short handle This routine retrieves a cold junction temperature reading. This can also be achieved by passing channel = 0 hundredths of a degree Celsius. Normally, you do not need to worry about the cold junction temperature, as the driver automatically uses it to compensate thermocouples.
  • Page 42 TC-08 User's Guide 3.3.4.5 usb_tc08_legacy_get_driver_version short usb_tc08_legacy_get_driver_version void This routine returns the driver version. This is useful when you need to find out if the latest driver is being used. none Arguments Driver version Returns number...
  • Page 43 3.3.4.6 usb_tc08_legacy_get_version short usb_tc08_legacy_get_version short * version, short handle This routine sets the 'version' variable to match the version of the USB TC-08 currently being used. handle Arguments version Returns Specifies the USB TC-08 unit. Pointer to a location where the version number is to be stored.
  • Page 44 TC-08 User's Guide 3.3.4.7 usb_tc08_legacy_get_cycle short usb_tc08_legacy_get_cycle long * cycle, short handle This routine gives the number of complete cycles of readings taken from a particular USB TC-08. Calling specified channel to be returned immediately. If you wish to record values only when the driver has taken a new reading, you can use this routine to find out how many complete cycles of readings the driver has taken.

  • Page 45: Programming

    Programming 3.4.1 Introduction We supply examples for the following programming languages: C and C++ Delphi Excel LabVIEW Visual Basic Agilent VEE The example programs are installed in the program directory. 3.4.2 C and C++ The C example program is a generic Windows application: it does not use Borland AppExpert or Microsoft AppWizard.

  • Page 46: Excel

    TC-08 User's Guide 3.4.4 Excel The easiest way to transfer data to Excel is to use the TC-08 software application. If, however, you need to do something that is not possible using the TC-08 software, you can write an Excel macro which calls values.

  • Page 47: Troubleshooting

    Troubleshooting The following table lists each of the error codes described in the usb_tc08_get_last_error what to do in the event of a particular error occurring. Error code Description USBTC08_ERROR_OS_NOT_SUPPORTED USBTC08_ERROR_NO_CHANNELS_SET USBTC08_ERROR_INVALID_PARAMETER USBTC08_ERROR_VARIANT_NOT_SUPPORTED USBTC08_ERROR_INCORRECT_MODE USBTC08_ERROR_ENUMERATION_INCOMPLETE USBTC08_ERROR_NOT_RESPONDING USBTC08_ERROR_FW_FAIL USBTC08_ERROR_CONFIG_FAIL USBTC08_ERROR_NOT_FOUND USBTC08_ERROR_THREAD_FAIL USBTC08_ERROR_PIPE_INFO_FAIL USBTC08_ERROR_NOT_CALIBRATED USBTC08_ERROR_PICOPP_TOO_OLD Errors in this category indicate that a fault has occurred with the USB...

  • Page 48: Glossary

    TC-08 User's Guide Glossary CJC. A method of compensating for ambient temperature variations in thermocouple circuits. Cold junction compensation. See CJC. Common mode range. The voltage range, relative to the ground of the data logger, within which both inputs of a differential measurement must lie in order to achieve an accurate measurement.
  • Page 49 Type K thermocouple. Type K thermocouples are low-cost, general-purpose thermocouples, made from chromel and alumel, operating in the -270°C to +1370°C temperature range. Sensitivity is approx 41 uV/°C. Type N thermocouple. Type N thermocouples are made from nicrosil and nisil. The high stability and resistance to high-temperature oxidation of these thermocouples make them suitable for measuring high temperatures.

  • Page 51: Index

    Index AgilentVEE Cold junction Connection Delphi DLLs Driver routines usb_tc08_close_unit 14, 21 usb_tc08_get_formatted_info usb_tc08_get_last_error usb_tc08_get_minimum_interval_ms usb_tc08_get_single 14, 31 usb_tc08_get_temp 14, 32 usb_tc08_get_temp_deskew usb_tc08_get_unit_info usb_tc08_legacy_get_cold_junction usb_tc08_legacy_get_cycle usb_tc08_legacy_get_driver_version usb_tc08_legacy_get_temp usb_tc08_legacy_get_version usb_tc08_legacy_run 14, 34 usb_tc08_legacy_set_channel usb_tc08_open_unit 14, 15 usb_tc08_open_unit_async usb_tc08_open_unit_progress usb_tc08_run 14, 30 usb_tc08_set_channel 14, 29 usb_tc08_set_mains...
  • Page 52 TC-08 User's Guide usb_tc08_close_unit 14, 21 usb_tc08_get_formatted_info usb_tc08_get_last_error 14, 27 usb_tc08_get_minimum_interval_ms usb_tc08_get_single 14, 31 usb_tc08_get_temp 14, 32 usb_tc08_get_temp_deskew usb_tc08_get_unit_info 14, 25 usb_tc08_legacy_get_cold_junction usb_tc08_legacy_get_cycle usb_tc08_legacy_get_driver_version usb_tc08_legacy_get_temp usb_tc08_legacy_get_version usb_tc08_legacy_run 14, 34 usb_tc08_legacy_set_channel usb_tc08_open_unit 14, 15 usb_tc08_open_unit_async usb_tc08_open_unit_progress usb_tc08_run 14, 30 usb_tc08_set_channel 14, 29 usb_tc08_set_mains 14, 23 usb_tc08_stop...
  • Page 53 OMEGA ENGINEERING, INC. warrants this unit to be free of defects in materials and workmanship for a period of 13 months from date of purchase. OMEGA’s WARRANTY adds an additional one (1) month grace period to the normal one (1) year product warranty to cover handling and shipping time. This ensures that OMEGA’s customers receive maximum coverage on each product.
  • Page 54 Where Do I Find Everything I Need for Process Measurement and Control? OMEGA…Of Course! Shop online at omega.com TEMPERATURE Thermocouple, RTD & Thermistor Probes, Connectors, Panels & Assemblies Wire: Thermocouple, RTD & Thermistor Calibrators & Ice Point References Recorders, Controllers & Process Monitors Infrared Pyrometers PRESSURE, STRAIN AND FORCE Transducers &...

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