Loss of communications with USB-6008

[plow]

I have a USB-6008 that its being used to control a couple of valves with its digital output channels. The digital output channels are switching a relay which energizes the solenoid valves (solenoid valves are 115VAC). The USB device is connected to a laptop USB slot.

The software/hardware was working fine, then sometime while it was connected there was a power surge. There was a 2A fuse on the 115VAC line which blew.

After this power surge communication was no longer able to be established with the USB-6008. Is it possible for a power surge to affect the USB device even though its power is sourced from the USB 5V power source?

Things that I have checked to date.

Rebooting computer with the USB disconnected and booting back up - no connection

Check Device manager for USB device to be present - no visible in device manager

Check MAX for device - does not show up as present

Check cabling to make sure no loose wires - no loose wires

try on different laptops - connection

Connect other USB devices to laptop USB slot - other USB devices function fine

Checked the +5V channel on the USB device and do not read a voltage

All indication seems to be that somehow the USB device got damaged during this power surge? Is there some kind of offline diagnostic I can perform without seeing the device online?

[Dan_K · Accepted solution]

Hello plow,

It sounds like the power surge caused some sort of feedback from the valve to your USB device. This USB device is not designed for industrial applications and could easily be damaged in the situation you described. For a USB device with a greater ability to withstand this type of power surge you should look at the USB-6525. A better solution would be a CompactDAQ or CompactRIO system with a NI 9401, which is rated to withstand 1,000 V_rms, verified by a 5 s dielectric withstand test.