Measuring Temperature with Thermocouple and USB-0008

[noobuser]

This might be an very simple question, but just let me put it out there that I am extremely bad at this.

I need to get a temperature reading with a thermocouple and an USB-0008 Multifunction I/O device, but no matter which channels I plug the thermocouple into and fiddle with the settings in the DAQ Assistant, the result would always be something like this: (when the thermocouple is plugged in)

 or like this: (when the thermocouple is not plugged in)

 

Can anyone tell me what I'm doing wrong? I read somewhere that you have to do something with voltage to get a correct temperature reading, but I'm not sure on that.

Any help is greatly appreciated, and a step-by-step guide would be really helpful.

Again, sorry for troubling you guys for such a simple problem, but my head just seems to not work with these kinds of stuff.

Edit: by the way, can anyone explain what differential mode means in this context?

I've attached my VI if anyone wants to look at it.

If there is any extra information you need I'll try to give it to you.

Alex

Message Edited by noobuser on 07-24-2009 12:33 PM

[smercurio_fc]

I'm assuming this is a continuation of this message from earlier in the month...

You cannot directly plug a thermocouple into an analog input. A thermocouple requires proper wiring due to its sensitivity. You should read this to get started: Taking Thermocouple Temperature Measurements