Connecting Signals to the Black Lab

Background

The Black Lab and its Connector Interface Modules (CIM’s) were designed with a number of connectivity options to bring signals to the Black Lab for digitizing and display. As you will see in the CIM module descriptions described below, the Black Lab is quite versatile in how the signals can be connected or disconnected while testing in the field. Depending on the CIM module chosen, the signal connections can be made in several ways.

In all cases the main connector can be quickly connected and removed from the Black Lab. The main connector is the large black connector that attaches to the front of the Black Lab system and brings all input signals to the Black Lab.

Considerations regarding each CIM module are described below.

CIM1 is the most basic of the connector interface options and comes standard with the Black Lab system. Bare sensor leads are connected using a screw terminal strip. They can be easily removed for doing different sensor configurations.

Since the CIM1 is the least expensive of the connector interface options, it lends itself to being permanently attached to sensors that are monitored on a frequent basis. With the CIM1 attached at the testing site (or inside an enclosure housing sensors), the Black Lab can be quickly connected by just plugging the black plug at the end of the ribbon cable into the mating connector on the Black Lab.

CIM1 should be considered when:

CIM 2 is more flexible than CIM 1 due to the fact that individual channel signal connections can be inserted and removed easily from the pluggable connectors in addition to the main connector connection. Both the analog and digital signals connectors share the same 4 pin connector type.  CIM 2 also provides 12 volt excitation for each analog channel and 5 volt opto-isolator excitation for the digital inputs with each connector.

CIM 2 should be considered when:

CIM 3 also has the same attributes of CIM 2 with the addition of the following features:

CIM 3 should be considered when:

Note that CIM 3 is larger than CIM 2 so it may be more cumbersome when portable testing operation is required.

CIM 4

CIM 4 is very basic and allows signal connections to be made in a temporary or permanent connection to a machine or for longer signal connections from the machine being tested to the Black Lab unit. CIM 4 has bare wires available to connect to screw terminals, barrier strips, or to attach alligator clips.

CIM 4 should be considered when:

Ø       Long signal connections must be made to a machine or device using shielded cable to the Black Lab due to environmental conditions or just ease of connection.

Ø       The most inexpensive connection possible is needed (without a screw terminal or pluggable connection).

Ø       Bringing signal connections into a dedicated testing box with sensors used in conjunction with testing with the Black Lab.

Ø       Ultimate portability is needed. The CIM 4 is the smallest and lightest connection option available. Connections can be made by attaching the bare wires to sensors or by adding alligator clips to allow connections to test points, inside junction boxes, spade lug connectors, etc. Electrical connections made with the alligator clips are quick and easy. If you are performing field testing and wish to utilize the enhanced portability provided by the Black Lab, using the CIM 4 with alligator clips is hard to beat.

5B and 7B modules

5B and 7B modules are used to provide signal conditioning needs beyond the differential input capabilities provided with the Black Lab data acquisition system. These modules can solve many signal interfacing challenges posed in field testing such as signal isolation, attenuation, filtering, and conversion. Interfacing to 5B and 7B signal conditioning modules is possible with the Black Lab and can be accomplished several ways. The sections below should help someone interested in using these modules with the Black Lab.

One connection method to get the signals from the module backplane to the Black Lab is by using CIM 1 or CIM 4. If you are considering wiring the module backplane to the Black Lab yourself, you will need a breakout board for the backplane output to accept the IDC ribbon cable header or the DB25 output connector that then terminates in a screw terminal connection that then can be wired to the Black Lab CIM 1 or CIM 4. Note that the 5B and 7B backplanes have different output connectors and pin outs.

Note that excitation to power the modules would not be available when using CIM 1 or CIM 4. 

5B and 7B module enclosures

If you have 5B or 7B modules available and would like to use them in conjunction with the Black Lab, you may want to purchase the Black Lab 5B or 7B module enclosure. It will provide the backplane for the module series you need, an enclosure to house them, and all the signal connections wired back to the Black Lab system. A power connector is provided to power the boards from an external source. To use this enclosure with the Black Lab, you would insert the modules you need in the backplane, connect power, connect the main connector to the Black Lab front panel, and then make the input connections.

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