
Chapter 2
Connecting Signals
2-2
ni.com
Connecting Differential Analog Input Signals
Complete the following steps to measure a differential (DIFF) analog input
signal.
1.
Connect the BNC cable to one of the AI <0..7> BNC connectors on the
front panel.
Do not connect anything to the corresponding AI <8..15> BNC
connector below the AI <0..7> BNC connector you use.
2.
Move the corresponding SE/DIFF switch to the DIFF position. On the
BNC-2090A front panel, a line indicates which SE/DIFF switch
corresponds to each AI <0..7> BNC connector.
3.
Configure your software to measure this channel differentially.
Figure 2-2 shows how differential AI signals are routed to the DAQ device.
Figure 2-2.
Analog Input Differential Mode
The BNC-2090A is configured for differential mode by default.
Measuring Floating Signals in Differential Input
Mode
A
floating signal source
is a signal source that is not connected in any way
to the building ground system, but has an isolated ground-reference point.
If an instrument or device has an isolated output, that instrument or device
falls into the floating signal source category. Some examples of floating
signal sources are thermocouples, transformers, battery-powered devices,
Cable
Do Not
Connect
BNC-2090A
AI 0
SE
DIFF
AI 8
RSE/NRSE
Switch
Not Used
NRSE
RSE
AI 0
DAQ Device
AI 8