Control and Monitor Solid-State Relays over USB
-- Test & Measurement World, 7/11/2005 11:45:00 AM
Measurement Computing has announced the USB-SSR24, a USB-based device for monitoring and controlling solid-state relays. It offers 24 channels of isolated I/O through standard-size OAC5/ODC5/IAC5/IDC5 SSR modules (sold separately).
The USB-SSR24 features an all-aluminum enclosure to protect electronics and wiring, integrated screw terminals, a built-in USB expansion port that allows the user to chain up to five devices together without requiring an external USB hub, and an integrated DIN rail mount.
The USB-SSR24, compared to the equivalent PCI-based system, is easier to use because it eliminates the need to open a PC chassis, according to the company. The USB-SSR24's USB interface allows a user to move the device quickly from one application to another or to expand an application to include up to five devices (for a total of up to 120 SSR modules). The enclosure is designed to sit on any bench top or to be mounted on a DIN rail.
The USB-SSR24 complements Measurement Computing's other USB-based high-voltage digital products: the USB-SSR08, offering the same functionality as the USB-SSR24 but in an eight-channel form factor; the USB-ERB08 and USB-ERB24, featuring electromechanical relays; and the USB-PDISO8, featuring eight electromechanical relays and eight high-voltage (up to 24V AC or DC) inputs.
Available free software includes TracerDAQ, Measurement Computing's strip-chart recorder and data-logger application, as well as the company's SoftWire graphical programming interface for Visual Studio .NET.
All USB units also include Measurement Computing's Universal Library language interface, which allows users to write programs in popular programming languages using easy-to-understand, high-level command syntax. The USB-series also includes drivers for most popular data-acquisition application packages, including LabView.
Base price: $299.
