Unable to read Hipot tester 'SCI 290 series' ID from NI Max

[pvoh]

Hi guys,

Does anyone work with Slaughter Hipot tester SCI 297 model ?  I need help to communicate to the instrument using Labview 2018. The instrument has the USB port acts as a USB to RS-232. I can see the device name 'ASRL3::instr "COM3" in the NI Max but unable to read the instrument ID from VISA Test panel. I got the settings are all correct (9600, 8,1,None) I tried the command *IDN? with the  basic Serial Write and Read example and got nothing response.

Thank you,

[GerdW]

Hi pvoh,

does this device even support the *IDN?\r command over (virtual) RS232?

Did you read its manual?

[pvoh]

Thank you very much GerdW,

The manual said "Each command string should be terminated by the ASCII control code, New Line
<NL>, or OAh". I tried *IDN?\n command but got no response back from instrument.

Thank you,

pvoh

[GerdW]

Hi pvoh,

does your device support the *IDN command?

How did you append "\n"? Did you write the string in \-code display?

[pvoh]

Hi GerdW,

The instrument supports most of the IEEE 488.2 Common Commands such as *IDN?,*RST,*CLS .etc.. I tried both examples (attached) from Labview but none would get the response from the instrument.

Thanks,

pvoh

[pvoh · Accepted solution]

Just got in touch with the manufacturer of the hipot tester and apparently the USB port need to get activated ($200.0 ) in order for it to work. I think that will solve the communication issue.

Thank you GerdW for your help. 

[SuperFastSquirrel]

Hello Pvoh,

I am running into the exact same issue. Did your 290 Series come with a usb port? I am confused on your wording. To me it sounds like your Hipot tester came with a physical usb port that you were unable to use unless you paid and activated it. Similar to how all Tesla's come standard with autopilot capabilities that you purchase and "activate" after you already bought the car.

[rolfk]

It may be that the USB port only supports a proprietary USB protocol out of the box. This protocol would allow software delivered from the manufacturer to communicate with the device, but if you want to program the device from another program you either need the device to support USB-CDC (Virtual COM port) or USB-TMC (Test & Measurement standard). It could be that support of such a protocol is a feature that you need to activate.

[SuperFastSquirrel]

Contacted the provider, I as well will need to be paying $200 for the installation.

Thank you for the help.