Installing and Configuring NI CompactDAQ Chassis

You can mount an NI cDAQ-91xx chassis using a desktop, 35 mm DIN rail, or panel mount accessory kit.

The NI 9901 desktop mounting kit includes two metal feet you can install on the sides of the NI cDAQ-91xx chassis for desktop use. With this kit, you can tilt the NI cDAQ-91xx chassis for convenient access to the I/O module connectors. When you install the two metal feet, the two existing screws on the back side and I/O end of the chassis must be removed, as shown in Figure 5. After removing the screws, replace them with the two longer screws included in the NI 9901 desktop mounting kit.

Figure 5. NI 9901 Desktop Mounting Kit

Each DIN-rail kit contains one clip for mounting the chassis on a standard 35 mm DIN rail. To mount the chassis on a DIN rail, fasten the DIN-rail clip to the chassis using a No. 2 Phillips screwdriver and two M4 X 17 screws. The screws are included in the DIN-rail kit. Make sure the DIN-rail kit is installed as illustrated in Figure 6, with the larger lip of the DIN rail positioned up. When the DIN-rail kit is properly installed, the cDAQ-91xx chassis is centered on the DIN rail. Use the following kits for each chassis:

• NI 9915 DIN-Rail Kit for cDAQ-9178 and cDAQ-9188
• NI 9912 DIN-Rail Kit for cDAQ-9174

Figure 6. DIN-Rail Installation on cDAQ-9178 or cDAQ-9188

To mount the chassis on a panel, align the chassis on the panel mount accessory. Attach the chassis to the panel mount kit using two M4 X 17 screws. National Instruments provides these screws with the panel mount kit. You must use these screws because they are the correct depth and thread for the panel. These slots in the panel mount kit can be used with M4, M5, No. 8, or No.10 panhead screws. Figure 7 illustrates the panel dimensions and installation on the cDAQ-91xx chassis. Refer to the documentation included with the panel mount kit for more detailed dimensions. Use the following kits for each chassis:

• • NI 9905 Panel Mount Kit for cDAQ-9178 or cDAQ-9188
• NI 9904 Panel Mount Kit for the NI cDAQ-9174

Figure 7. Panel Mount Dimensions and Installation on the cDAQ-91xx

Complete the following steps to prepare your cDAQ-91xx chassis for use:

1. Install your ADE and NI-DAQmx software if you have not done so already. See Installing NI LabVIEW and NI-DAQmx for more information.
2. Make sure the cDAQ-91xx power source is not connected.
3. Attach a ring lug to a 14 AWG (1.6 mm) wire. Connect the ring lug to the ground terminal on the side of the chassis using the ground screw. Attach the other end of the wire to the system safety ground as shown in Figure 8.

Figure 8. Ring Lug Attached to System Ground (1)

4. Insert each C Series I/O module by squeezing both module latches, placing the I/O module into an empty module slot, and pressing until both latches lock the module in place.

Figure 9. Installing C Series I/O Modules: (1) USB or Ethernet Connector and (2) C Series I/O Module

5. Attach a wire with a ring lug to all other C Series I/O module cable shields. You must connect this wire to the ground terminal of the chassis using the ground screw.
6. Install a noise-suppression device to the external USB and power cables on cDAQ-9174/9178 chassis to ensure that NI devices meet all EMC standards applicable to your country. Using the provided ferrite, wrap the USB and power cables around one side of the ferrite so that they pass through the ferrite twice, as shown in Figure 10.

Figure 10. Ferrite Open Over Looped Cables: (1) NI CompactDAQ Chassis Power Connector, (2) Ferrite, (3) Power Supply, (4) Host/HUB/PC USB Plug, and (5) NI CompactDAQ Chassis USB Plug

7. Install the ferrite as close as possible to where the cables plug into the cDAQ-9178/9174 chassis. Placing the ferrite elsewhere on the cable noticeably reduces its effectiveness. Snap the ferrite closed to secure it in place.
8. Connect the NI CompactDAQ chassis to your host computer. Connect a cDAQ-9178/9174 chassis with the supplied USB cable to any available USB port on your computer. Use the jackscrew on the locking USB cable to securely attach the cable to the chassis.
9. Use a shielded CAT 5E Ethernet cable to connect a cDAQ-9188 chassis to your network. You can connect cDAQ-9188 directly to your host computer, to a local router or switch, to a corporate or enterprise network, or to a dedicated, secondary network interface card (NIC).

Figure 11. Network Configurations for NI CompactDAQ Ethernet Chassis

10. Connect the supplied power source to the cDAQ-91xx chassis. The Power LED indicates whether the cDAQ-91xx is receiving power. When in use, it is normal for the chassis to become warm to the touch.

Complete the following steps to configure your NI-DAQmx software for use with NI CompactDAQ USB chassis:

1. Check that the Ready LED is lit. This lights when the computer recognizes a USB CompactDAQ chassis. The color indicates whether the USB connection is Full-Speed (green) or Hi-Speed (amber).
2. Install the software automatically as recommended for each device if the Found New Hardware Wizard opens.
3. Ensure that the NI Device Monitor is running. After Windows detects newly installed NI USB devices, it should run automatically. If it does not run, unplug your device, restart NI Device Monitor by selecting Start»All Programs»National Instruments»NI-DAQ»NI Device Monitor, and plug in your device. The NI Device Monitor prompts you to select from a list of options. These options may vary, depending on the devices and software installed on your system.

Figure 12. NI Device Monitor

4. Click Configure and Test This Device to open NI Measurement & Automation Explorer (MAX).
5. Expand Devices and Interfaces to confirm your cDAQ-9174 or cDAQ-9178 chassis is listed. You should also see your C Series modules listed beneath the chassis. If your devices do not appear, press to refresh the view in MAX.

Figure 13. NI Measurement & Automation Explorer

6. Right-click the device and select Self-Test. When the self-test finishes, a message indicates successful verification or if an error occurred.

Figure 14. Self-Test

Complete the following steps to configure your NI-DAQmx software for use with NI CompactDAQ Ethernet chassis:

1. Double-click the MAX icon on the desktop.
2. Expand Devices and Interfaces to confirm your device is detected. If the chassis is listed under Devices and Interfaces»Network Devices, right-click it and select Add Device.

If your Network DAQ device is not listed, right-click Network Devices, and select Find Network NI-DAQmx Devices. In the Add Device Manually field, type the hostname or IP address of the Network DAQ device, click the + button, and click Add Selected Devices. Your device will be added under Devices and Interfaces»Network Devices.

Figure 15. Find Network NI-DAQmx Devices

If you still cannot access your cDAQ-9188 chassis, select the “Click here for troubleshooting tips if your device does not appear” link in the Find Network NI-DAQmx Devices window or view additional troubleshooting resources.

3. If the cDAQ-9188 chassis is already in use by another host computer on the same network, you cannot run any measurement tasks on the chassis. To reserve the chassis for use with your host computer, you must right-click it and select Reserve Chassis. This terminates any tasks being run by another host machine.
4. If your DHCP server is set up to automatically register hostnames, the chassis registers the hostname as cDAQ<model number>-<serial number>. You can find the serial number on the back of the chassis.
5. Select the Network Settings tab. Select Static, DHCP or Link Local, Link Local Only, or DHCP Only for the IP address of the chassis. Click Save to confirm your settings.

Figure 16. IP Address Settings

6. If you selected DHCP or Link Local, then the IP Address, Subnet Mask, Gateway, and DNS Server fields should automatically populated after you save your settings. Otherwise, ask your network administrator for the correct settings.
7. Check that your C Series modules are listed beneath the chassis. It may take up to 30 seconds for your host computer to discover all the modules, depending on the speed of your network.

Figure 17. System Settings in MAX

8. Right-click the device and select Self-Test. When the self-test finishes, a message indicates successful verification or if an error occurred.

Figure 18. System Settings in MAX

As an alternative to MAX, the cDAQ-9188 chassis hosts a Web server from which you can configure network, security, firmware, and other system settings. Complete the following steps to configure your NI CompactDAQ Ethernet chassis through a Web browser:

1. Install Microsoft Silverlight on your host computer for free from www.microsoft.com/getsilverlight.
2. Open a Web browser (Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, or Google Chrome), and enter the IP address of the cDAQ-9188 chassis into the address bar and hit Enter.

Alternatively, you can use the NI Network Browser (located in the National Instruments start menu folder on your host computer) to find chassis on your local subnet.

Figure 19. Web-Based Configuration and Monitoring

3. View the icons on the left side of the screen. These represent System Settings, Security Settings, Network Settings, and Update Firmware. Each corresponds to the tabs in MAX. The default login for the security page is “admin” with no password.
4. Click the Help button at the top of each page for detailed instructions.
5. Click Save on each page before selecting another icon. Each save requires the chassis to reboot, which can take up to 30 seconds.
6. Click View Other Devices to configure other NI networked-based hardware on the same subnet as the cDAQ-9188 chassis.