Hidden Hidden Hidden Hidden
 

i4xx INSTALLATION GUIDE
INSTALLATION >

 
 

How to Install i4xx Cards into i4xx Card Cage

The following diagram summarizes how to install the 4xx Card Cage:

Before setting up your i4xx Card Cage System, please read the following:

In summary:

  • The i41x Computer Interface card is in slot #1, which is the left-most slot.
  • At least one i43x a/d card is present if at least one i42x voltage measurement cards is installed (i43x internally measures voltage from i42x).
  • Other then slot #1, any card can be placed into any slot.

To install an i4xx Card into a Card Cage:

  • Make sure i4xx Card Cage power is OFF, and make sure external equipment power is OFF.
  • If working with i500 analog filter daughterboards, install them onto your i423 card(s) before installing the i423 into the card cage, as noted here. For a summary of anti-aliasing filters and why you might need them, click here.
  • With a slotted screw driver, unbolt 2 jackscrews at blank front panel, and save them for later use.
  • Slide i4xx Card into i400 based card cage and make sure backplane connector mates nicely with card connector. Secure card to card cage with 2 saved jackscrews, as shown in the illustration to the right.
  • For information on how to assemble and install the i51x Wiring Box, click here.

To remove i4xx Card from i400 Card Cage:

  • Remove jacknuts at top and bottom of i4xx card, and save for later use.
  • Pry card out of card cage with screw driver, either from top or bottom, as shown in photo to the right. After unsticking backplane connector, one can easily slide card with fingers.
 

 

How to bolt together i400's side-by-side to form a ≥ 5 slot card cage

Before assembling 4 slot i400's side-by-side, please read the following:

In summary:

  • The i400 product provides 4 slots, and multiple i400's can be bolted together, side-by-side, to create an 8, 12, or 16 slots system. In many applications, one i400 with 4 slots is sufficient.

To bolt together multiple i400's to form a card cage with ≥ 5 slots:

  • Make sure i4xx Card Cage power is OFF, and make sure external equipment power is OFF.
  • On the left side i400, remove the right-side Hd62 connector cover and on the right side i400, remove the left-side Hd62 connector cover. Each cover is held in place with two 4-40 Pan Head Bolts, as noted in the above illustration. Please save this hardware, in case you want to revert back to separate i400's.
  • Press the i400's together and make sure the two Hd62 connectors fit snuggly by pushing the 2 units together with moderate force. Secure the assembly with four 4-40 Flat Head Bolts, as shown in the illustration to the right. Notice there are 2 bolts on the top and 2 on the bottom. Each i400 ships with extra hardware that includes these bolts in a zip lock bag.
  • If you want to attach the i4xx Card Cage to a DIN rail, a flat wall, or a 19" rack, click here.

 

How to Assemble & Install i51x Wiring Box

 

Open/Close i51x Wiring Box via 3 bolts, shown to the right with red arrows.

Route wires out bottom, top or front. Optionally provide strain relief with nylon tie.

Attach wires to screw terminals, or solder to pads near terminals.

Attach i51x Wiring Box to i4xx Card via 2 screws, shown to the right with green arrows.

 
 

How to Verify Your System is Working Properly

Verify that your hardware and software is working in 5 easy steps:

1.   Run the "instruNet World" application program (i.e. file "instruNet World Win32.exe), in the instruNet directory.  A window will open, similar to what is pictured to the right.  If necessary, you might need to click on the Network tab at the bottom of the window to select the Network page.  If this window opens, then you know your instruNet driver file is installed and working correctly.  The list of channels shown in the window's table will vary, depending on what instruNet hardware is connected.  If an error alert appears, please click here. 

2.   Select "Installed Hardware Report" under the Hardware menu, as illustrated to the right.  A report will print that lists the controllers and network devices that are currently installed on your computer.  For example; the report below shows one i2x0 Controller; and one i4xx Card Cage that contains i410, i420, and i430 cards.

instruNet HARDWARE SEARCH RESULTS:
 
Net Dev Mod Device
==========================================
 0   0   0    Windows XP Version 5.1.2600 ...
 0   0   1      instruNet Driver (iNet32.dll 3.0.0.7 ...
 1   0   1         USB Controller i240 (4000Kbps ...
 1   1   0           i400, Card Cage for i4xx Cards ...
 1   1   1            i410, Interface between i2x0 and i4xx ...
 1   1   2            i430, 16bit A/D, 16se/8di vin, 4 dio ...
 1   1   3            i420, 20se/10di voltage input, 4 dio ...

If this does not match what you believe is installed on your network, then check your hardware installation (cables, power, etc).  Also, it is possible that the instruNet Driver is older than the devices on your network, which means you need the latest driver that recognizes these new devices. The instruNet Driver is always listed as the 2nd installed item.

  • If a physically connected i2x0/i60x controller is not seen, click here.
  • If a physically connected i4xx Card or i4xx Card Cage is not seen, click here.
  • If a physically connected i100 box is not seen, click here.

3.   Press the Test button at the top of the Test page to test your controllers and devices, and to report any problems if found.  The duration of the test can vary from 1 to 100 seconds depending on the size of the networks, and the speed of the computer.  If no problems are found, a report similar to the one below is printed in the window:

INSTRUNET QUICK TEST RESULTS:
Date & Time: 10/12/2008, 12:53:23
We ran 0.510029 million tests and did NOT hit 1 error.

4.   Press the Big Test button to run an exhaustive test.  An alert similar to the one below will appear to communicate that the computer will test all instruNet hardware until there is an error, or until you press the mouse button down to stop the test.

It will test your network(s) all night long if you let it.  Press OK to begin the Big Test.  Wait 20 seconds or longer.  If an error occurs while testing, an alert will appear and the error message will also be printed in the window. If this occurs, please see Troubleshooting.  If no error alerts appear, and you want to stop the test, press the mouse button down and hold it down until the an alert appears announcing the end of the test.  Click OK to exit this alert.  The test results are printed in the window, in a format similar to what is shown below: 

We ran 2.1 million tests and did NOT hit 1 error.

Big Test is identical to Test, except it runs for a longer period of time and is useful at finding intermittent problems that only occur once every minute, hour, or day.  Big Test can be run overnight for extensive testing of all hardware.

5.   You are done!  Your instruNet hardware and software is installed correctly and running beautifully. Please proceed to the Tutorial to learn more.

Enabling the instruNet World+ (PLUS) License

For information on how to purchase iW+, click please click here.

To install an iW+ license on your computer and enable its powerful features on Windows Xp/Vs/7/8/10 computers, please click here.

 

Further Reading