Instrument Control (GPIB, Serial, VISA, IVI)

[FlameAlchemist]

All,

I am currently in the development stage of a control process. I need to be able to activate 2 solenoid valves at a time. The current solenoids I am looking at run on 10 W, 120 VAC, and 50-60 Hz. I was looking at the http://sine.ni.com/nips/cds/view/p/lang/en/nid/209924 module to use with these. I will have 4 hooked up but only 2 energized at any one time. Will this function as I intend it? Should I select different solenoids? I still have yet to buy anything for the process so all of these are possible variables.

I was also looking at using one of the voltage input modules with switches to indicate whether or not a switch has been thrown (3 switches total), do these modules run off of 1-20 mA or are they able to hit the higher voltages required in standard input switches?

Thank you for your help.

[johnsold]

Flame,

The 9485 is intended for switching DC or low voltage AC.  You will destroy it if you connect the 120 V solenoids to it.

Since it appears that you may be unfamiliar with some of the electrical issues involved, I recommend that you contact your NI Sales Rep and get input about appropriate choices.  If you require more help than that, seek out a consultant with suitable expertise.

I have worked with biologists, chemists, and maybe a few alchemists.  When you build a team with a good match of expertise to problems things can get done well.  Someone working too far outside his expertise usually creates smoke and bad words being said by the sponsor or boss!

Lynn

[FlameAlchemist]

Lynn,

Ah, thank you for the information, I was so concerned with the Amps that I didn't look at the currents involved, and then I was considering a transformer, but I think it may just be easier to grab one of the 24 VDC solenoids instead (they are even cheaper than what I was originally considering). I'll have to ask them what the watts are for operation, to check the amps, then contact my NI rep, thanks again.

[johnsold]

A 24 V DC solenoid will probably work.  If it is also rated at 10 W, the current would be ~420 mA and within the specs.  You may need put put a dide across the coil of the solenoid to protect the dirver from inductive spikes when it switches off.  An inexpensive rectifier diode like a 1N400x would be fine.

Lynn

[SnowMule]

120v solenoid, huh?  Solid-state relays work real well for those and many of those relays can be driven right off DO lines from NI's DAQ's.

http://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/G3NA-210B-DC5-24/Z918-ND/206389