AC power backup for your Test Station

Posted on January 5, 2009 by LV_TS_Test_Engineer_3000_VI
At times when a power failure occurs and you need to perform some critical action a Uninteruptable Power Supply(UPS) is added to the test station.
This may be to put the test station in a safe mode( removing excitation or setting excitation to safe values, logging of last data and closing file handles, terminating the application.)
Things to check
  • Wattage that needs to be backup.
  • Time Duration required to place your system into safe mode.
  • Time Duration UPS will provide.
  • Number of outlet.
  • Size /mountable hardware
  • Some form of indication by UPS  or other means that it detect a power loss(so the test station can respond to condition).
Some requirement can not have any interruption of power for the complete system(This can be a very BIG UPS) it all depends on the requirement of your project.
Here is one possible test station UPS setup.(Always refer to your UPS manual for correct hookup and operation)
Posted in Test Sector | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Safety and Signs

Posted on January 4, 2009 by LV_TS_Test_Engineer_3000_VI
During your project with automatic equipment give consideration to safety signs required near,on,inside,around your automatic equipment.
Panels and Test Station which have High Voltage inside should have High Voltage safety stickers.
If your equipment will start moving parts(any moving parts) add a sign and enclosed area with some barrier or gate.
If your equipment starts Automatically make visual the Automatic Start sign.
TestStation with monitors:
If your teststation computer has a monitor disable the screen saver and have the application  make clear that the Station is RUNNING.
or/and select a screen saver that indicates the current condition of the station and contact information.
Also consider bilingual signs.
some examples:
High Voltage sign  —     http://www.compliancesigns.com/ODB-3705.shtml
Moving Parts sign —      http://www.compliancesigns.com/ABB-6125.shtml
Looking for safety signs consider : http://www.compliancesigns.com  and other safety sign companies
Posted in Test Sector | Tagged | Leave a comment

PT connectors Upper and lower case lettering

Posted on January 2, 2009 by LV_TS_Test_Engineer_3000_VI
On the PT type connector which have Upper and lower case letters look out for the:
C,c
K,k
P,p
S,s
V,v
W,w
X,x
Z,z
The font used for each case look the same just a bit smaller.
When designing your cables have drafting highlight the lower case letters  (ex lower case letter with underscore)
Do not use  double lower case letter to denote single lower case letters as PT connector series uses double lettering.
Inform your technician about the lower case letters.
Posted in Test Sector | Tagged | Leave a comment

dBm and power and volts 50ohm system references

Posted on January 2, 2009 by LV_TS_Test_Engineer_3000_VI
References for dBm,power, and volts with respect to a 50ohms system.
 
Anritsu Company     RF measuring equipment          http://www.us.anritsu.com/downloads/files/Power_Conversion_Table.pdf
Miniciruits Company          RF components              http://www.minicircuits.com/pages/pdfs/dg03-110.pdf
 
 
As always, double check to matchs with power formulas.
 
Company names above are register to that respective company.
Posted in Test Sector | Leave a comment

1553 data bus connection

Posted on January 1, 2009 by LV_TS_Test_Engineer_3000_VI
1553 bus requires a specific way to hookup BusController,RemoteTerminal,or Bus Controls.
 
The reason for this hookup is to protect the data transmission and protect the data bus.
 
Transformer coupling is the most popular way to tie into the bus.
 
The ends of the bus must be terminated with termination loads.
 
 
This site provides information on bus hookup terminology.
 
 
 
 
Posted in Test Sector | Leave a comment

Multifunction Work horse DAQ card

Posted on December 29, 2008 by LV_TS_Test_Engineer_3000_VI
NI-6259 M Series Mulifuctnion DAQ Card
Powerful and  Popular Multifunction Daq Card
Analog Input             32SingleEnded or 16Differential    16bits
Analog Output            4                                                 16bits
Digital Input/Output     48
Counter/Timer             2
Some Form Factor
PCI
PXI
USB
USB-OEM
USB-BNC
Look for all related to 6259 for specification and desired form factor
Programming language I have used with this product: NI-LabVIEW
6259 and LabVIEW mentioned in this section is a National Instrument’s  product
Posted in Test Sector | Tagged | Leave a comment

SMC connector Care in connecting

Posted on December 27, 2008 by LV_TS_Test_Engineer_3000_VI
SMC are small connectors used in testing equipment, and end item products.
DO NOT use plier,adjustable wrench, fixed wrench as you will not known when to stop tightening.
USE a SMC torque wrench, this will tighten to the correct torque.
SMC torque wrench should be calibrated for torque value.
Excessive tightening will damage the  equipment’s connector and your connector.
Under tightening will lead to a poor connection (losses and emission) and reduced spec from the SMC form factor.
;
from  Pasternack Enterprises www.pasternack.com
SMA connector are also available at Pasternack
Posted in Test Sector | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Development Board

Posted on December 24, 2008 by LV_TS_Test_Engineer_3000_VI
When looking and finding an IC which fills a solution consider looking to see if the manufacturer/vendor also provides a development board for that IC.
 
Why?
 
  • Power supply regulation may already be on the board.
  • Jumpers for specific mode of operation may be provided.
  • Connectors to input and output may be provided for faster hook up to your product.
  • Even mounting hole may be provided.
  • You dont have to create a pcb.
 
example PIC development board (for microcontroller)
             Resolver to Digital Convertors development board.
 
Remember Time is Money (if something is done already it saves you time– dont reinvent.)
 
 
Posted in Test Sector | Leave a comment

Consideration on TestStation height

Posted on December 23, 2008 by LV_TS_Test_Engineer_3000_VI
With concern to test station height, dont just look at the panel space U numbers(enclosure’s inner height).
 
  • Are you adding a top mounted fan/Status indicator.
  • The caster wheel size
  • The enclosure’s frame
  • Doorway opening in which teststation will be received or rooms it will be moved to.
  • Is the height a concern with tipover(center of mass)?
 
Also look at the station depth with doorway concerns(door,handle and shelves if added).
 
U panel height
Posted in Test Sector | Leave a comment

T-Slot framing system

Posted on December 22, 2008 by LV_TS_Test_Engineer_3000_VI
At times part of you test setup will not be of the 19in  panels size.
 
For unique framing www.8020.net provides T-slot frame system.
 
Its important to follow a sequence in putting a T-slot frame system together.
 
Also kept the pieces squared(leveled) and tighening components torqued.
 
Posted in Test Sector | Leave a comment