National Instruments FP-3000 - Manual (Page 37)

Chapter 3 Example Applications
FieldPoint FP-3000 User Manual 3-2 www.ni.com
If you need more help setting up your network, refer to the NI-FBUS
Configurator User Manual.
Example 1: Converting a 4–20 mA Pressure Sensor to
Fieldbus Using FP-3000
One common application of the FP-3000 is interfacing to a conventional
device, such as a 4-20 mA pressure sensor or a 4-20 mA temperature
transmitter. This example helps you configure the FP-3000 to interface to
a 4-20 mA pressure sensor. In this example, you instantiate an AI function
block, assign a tag to the block, set up scaling parameters and range for the
I/O channel, schedule the function block, and download the configuration
to the FP-3000.
Getting Started
Example 1 requires the following materials:
• 4–20 mA sensor, such as a pressure sensor. If you do not have a sensor
you will not be able to make measurements, but can still use this
exercise to practice setting up a Fieldbus configuration.
• FP-3000 network module.
• Terminal base connected to FP-3000
• FP-AI-100, FP-AI-110, or FP-AI-111 module installed in terminal
base (this example assumes you are using the FP-AI-110 module).
• Host configuration system capable of instantiating function blocks on
devices (such as National Instruments NI-FBUS Configurator).
Wire the 4–20 mA current loop into a current source input for the
FP-AI-110 terminals. To determine which terminals to use for channel
zero, refer to the wiring diagram in the Operating Instructions that came
with your FP-AI-110 module. Make sure your current loop is powered and
the sensor is operating normally.
Tip If you autoconfigured your FP-3000, you can skip to the section Set the Input Range .