Compatibility of K Thermocouple with NI USB 6008

[Patatelover]

Hi,

I have troubles choosing what to buy in order to make temperature measurements with my already bought NI USB 6008.

I plan to use LabView to work with these temperature measurements and link them to other measurements made with other sensors using the same NI USB 6008.

After few researches, I think i'll need a K Thermocouple like this one : http://fr.rs-online.com/web/p/sondes-de-temperature/3428899/

But my question is : will I be able to use it by just cutting the connector and linking the cables to my NI USB 6008, or do I have to use a special system like this one : https://www.ni.com/en-us/shop/model/usb-tc01.html

And if I need this kind of system, will I be able to use the measurements made with other sensors on the same LabView ?

My hesitations come from this document : https://www.ni.com/docs/en-US/bundle/usb-6008-6009-feature/page/introduction.html

Page 13, it seems i'll have to use 2 resistors to link my K Thermocouple to my NI USB 6008, but the use of such a system will make the certification hard to obtain (this system will make part a machine).

Hoping that you'll help me,

Patatelover, Polytech' Clermont-Ferrand, FRANCE

PS : Sorry for my english, I'm not native...

[Sam_Sharp · Accepted solution]

The 6008 is not suitable for thermocouple measurements - see this article for details, but in short, you'd only be able to measure to a minimum resolution of 8-9 degrees with an accuracy of 30 degrees.

You should either use a USB thermocouple module like the USB-TC01 linked, a higher performance DAQ (with a smaller range / higher resolution) or use a Thermocouple C-Series module.

[Patatelover]

Thanks a lot for this quick answer !

[Patatelover]

Another little question,

- Is it possible to use the USB-TC01 (for thermocouple) and the NI-USB-6008 (for other measurements) SIMULTANEOUSLY and acquire both measurements on the same Labview  ?

- If not, could you advise me a higher performance DAQ that would be able to work with thermocouple (directly linked with the sensor) and other sensors like force sensor ?

[Sam_Sharp]

1) Yes, you can create two tasks (one for the thermocouple measurement, one for your other measurements) in the same VI.

2) Something like this would give you 4-channels of measurements, or you could look at the M-series or X-series devices.