MCC TC-32/TC-32-EXP Thermocouple Measurement System

Digilent's measurement computing TC-32 is a thermocouple (TC) measurement DAQ system. The TC-32 is ideal for high channel count temperature applications. The system can also be rack-mounted. The TC-32 can communicate with a host device through USB or 10/100 Ethernet. By offering both USB and Ethernet ports, the TC-32 is an excellent solution for local or remote monitoring. It provides 32 channels of 24-bit resolution, and the TC-32-EXP expansion device adds 32 high-precision channels to support larger installations. Accuracy is designed into the product with sigma-delta 24-bit ADCs, differential inputs, TC-to-host isolation, and cold-junction compensation (CJC) for each channel to reduce the effects of thermal gradients.

The TC-32-EXP expansion device doubles the number of TC inputs (64), digital inputs (16), and digital outputs/alarms (64). The TC-32-EXP connects to the host TC-32 through a 40-pin expansion connector. The host TC-32 provides all power to the TC-32-EXP. The TC-32-EXP supports all TC input and digital I/O features of the host TC-32, including built-in cold-junction compensation and open thermocouple detection. Users can connect 32 differential TC input channels using the four groups of eight mini-jack connectors on the front panel of each device.

Both the TC-32 and TC-32-EXP support a maximum sample rate of 3 S/s per channel, and TC types J, K, R, S, T, N, E, and B. TC types are software-selectable per channel. TC-32 devices are equipped with open thermocouple detection for all TC input channels. When enabled, it allows users to monitor their TCs and determine if they are broken or disconnected. The TC-32 provides up to eight digital inputs and 32 digital outputs (16 and 64 when using TC-32-EXP) that are electrically isolated from the host device and the TC-32 analog circuits. This configuration allows users to optionally configure a digital output as an alarm for each TC channel. When configured as an alarm, the digital output line is driven to the appropriate state determined by the alarm options and input temperature. Users can also use the alarm outputs to control a device or application that indicates when a software-selectable temperature threshold is exceeded, an open TC is detected, and the common mode voltage is out of range. The TC-32 requires external power, and a 5 V, 10 W power adapter is included. The TC-32 provides power to the TC-32-EXP when they are connected.

Software support includes DAQami, an out-of-the-box application for data logging, visualization, and signal generation. Data can be viewed in real-time or post-acquisition on user-configurable displays. Drivers are included for the most popular applications and programming languages including Visual C++®, Visual C#®, Visual Basic® .NET, DASYLab®, LabVIEW™, and Python™.