Thread: 34970A datalogging and switching

Hello everyone!
I'm using an Agilent 34970A for a long time to log TC temperatures data with a 34901A multiplexer and using the classic Benchlink software.

Now I need to do a new step.
I'd like to buy a 34903A Actuator and use it to control an experiment: I'll try to simply describe it.
I'm logging 10 different TC temperature (from the 34901A). When one of these temperature reaches a certain value the system must automatically close a certain channel on the actuator (so that a refrigeration system starts...). When the temperature goes back below the choosen value the channel on the actuator must be automatically opened again.

I thought that the standard Benchlink software make this simple operation for me with the command "Tools>Switch control" or using the alarms but someone told me it could be useful to learn to use the Command expert.

Is it possibile to program the simple operation I described here with one of the two softwares?

Edited by: Frenky77 on Apr 16, 2012 12:43 PM

I found on the Benchlink software help the following sentence about the "Switch control" tool:
"You can configure a switch to open or to close in response to an alarm. The Switch Control dialog box shows these alarm-based operations."
In the Alarm properties section there are other useful info about opening or closing channels on a 34903A module.

I finally tried to use Datalogger Benchlink but I have a problem.

I try to explain my problem.
I tried to use a Hi Alarm on a temperature channel.
When the temperature is higher than the alarm the switch automatically opens but I can't make it automatically close when the temperture goes back below the alarm.

I tried also the Hi/Low Alarm.
The switch automatically opens when the temperature is in the alarm range but I can't configure that it closes again automatically when the temperature is out of the range.

Is it possible to configure this function?

Edited by: Frenky77 on Apr 27, 2012 12:02 PM

Hello...

What i understood from the problem that you are trying to open the channel when temp. rise above a limit and close the same channel when temp is below that limit.

For this you have to use the computed channel where you need to put two alarm condition one is Hi on original channel and Lo on computed channel.

But there is a bug in our software that hardware alarm does not work on computed channel but good news is that its already fixed and new release will be available within 4-6 weeks from now.

So please bear with us till the release will happen.

Thanks,
Rakesh Mittal