SAFETY, ENVIRONMENTAL, AND REGULATORY INFORMATION
NI VB-8012
NI VirtualBench
™
All-In-One Instrument
This document includes compliance precautions and connection information for the National Instruments VB-8012.
Note
The guidelines in this document are specific to the NI VB-8012.
Safety Guidelines
The following section contains important safety information that you must follow when installing and using the hardware.
Do not operate the hardware in a manner not specified in this document and in the user documentation. Misuse of the hardware can result in a hazard. You can
compromise the safety protection if the hardware is damaged in any way. If the hardware is damaged, return it to National Instruments for repair.
Hazardous Voltage
This icon denotes a warning advising you to take precautions to avoid electrical shock.
Caution
Do
not
operate the VirtualBench in a manner not specified in this document. Product misuse can result in a hazard. You can compromise
the safety protection built into the product if the product is damaged in any way. If the product is damaged, return it to National Instruments for repair.
Clean the hardware with a soft, nonmetallic brush. Make sure that the hardware is completely dry and free from contaminants before returning it to service.
Do not substitute parts or modify the hardware except as described in the
NI VirtualBench Help
. Use the hardware only with the accessories and cables specified
in the
NI VirtualBench Help
or specifications.
Do not operate the hardware in an explosive atmosphere or where there may be flammable gases or fumes.
You must insulate signal connections for the maximum voltage for which the hardware is rated. Do not exceed the maximum ratings for the hardware. Do not
install wiring while the hardware is live with electrical signals. Do not remove or add connector blocks when power is connected to the system. Avoid contact
between your body and the connector pins when hot-swapping hardware. Remove power from signal lines before connecting them to or disconnecting them
from the hardware.
Operate the hardware only at or below Pollution Degree 2. Pollution is foreign matter in a solid, liquid, or gaseous state that can reduce dielectric strength or
surface resistivity. The following is a description of Pollution Degrees:
•
Pollution Degree 1 means no pollution or only dry, nonconductive pollution occurs. The pollution has no influence. Typical level for sealed components
or coated PCBs.
•
Pollution Degree 2 means that only nonconductive pollution occurs in most cases. Occasionally, however, a temporary conductivity caused by
condensation must be expected. Typical level for most products.
•
Pollution Degree 3 means that conductive pollution occurs, or dry, nonconductive pollution occurs that becomes conductive due to condensation.
Operate the hardware at or below the measurement category
1
marked on the hardware label. Measurement circuits are subjected to working voltages
2
and
transient stresses (overvoltage) from the circuit to which they are connected during measurement or test. Measurement categories establish standard impulse
withstand voltage levels that commonly occur in electrical distribution systems. The following is a description of measurement categories:
•
Measurement Categories CAT I and CAT O (Other) are equivalent and are for measurements performed on circuits not directly connected to the electrical
distribution system referred to as MAINS
3
voltage. This category is for measurements of voltages from specially protected secondary circuits. Such voltage
measurements include signal levels, special hardware, limited-energy parts of hardware, circuits powered by regulated low-voltage sources, and
electronics.
•
Measurement Category II is for measurements performed on circuits directly connected to MAINS. This category refers to local-level electrical
distribution, such as that provided by a standard wall outlet (for example, 115 AC voltage for U.S. or 230 AC voltage for Europe). Examples of
Measurement Category II are measurements performed on household appliances, portable tools, and similar hardware.
•
Measurement Category III is for measurements performed in the building installation at the distribution level. This category refers to measurements on
hard-wired hardware such as hardware in fixed installations, distribution boards, and circuit breakers. Other examples are wiring, including cables, bus
bars, junction boxes, switches, socket outlets in the fixed installation, and stationary motors with permanent connections to fixed installations.
•
Measurement Category IV is for measurements performed at the primary electrical supply installation typically outside buildings. Examples include
electricity meters and measurements on primary overcurrent protection devices and on ripple control units.
To obtain the safety certification(s) for this product, visit
ni.com/certification
, search by model number or product line, and click the appropriate link
in the Certification column.
1
Measurement categories, also referred to as overvoltage or installation categories, are defined in electrical safety standards IEC 61010-1 and IEC 60664-1.
2
Working voltage is the highest rms value of an AC or DC voltage that can occur across any particular insulation.
3
MAINS is defined as a hazardous live electrical supply system that powers hardware. Suitably rated measuring circuits may be connected to the MAINS for
measuring purposes.
