DI-160 is 8-channel event, state, and count data logger

April 19, 2014. DATAQ Instruments has announced the release of the DI-160 event, state, and count data logger. At $299, and with four programmable measurement modes, the stand-alone data logger allows you to determent when events occur, the total number of events, and the period of time in between events. Among its many potential uses, the DI-160 can count parts by monitoring the pulse output of a proximity sensor, or determine the downtime of machinery by monitoring AC power.

The DI-160 includes eight channels. Four ±300-VDC/peak-AC isolated channels can accommodate high-level DC voltage signals, pulse inputs up 2 kHz, or AC line voltage. Four ±30-VDC/peak-AC non-isolated channels (pulled high) allow you to monitor lower level DC voltages, TTL-level signals, or switch closures. The included DATAQ Event Recorder set-up software gives you the ability to enable/disable channels, select measurement modes on a channel-by-channel basis and choose one of 21 sample intervals, ranging from one second to 24 hours. Data is stored to a removable SD memory card in CSV format, allowing for up to 500 days of continuous recording, and easy viewing in Microsoft Excel.

Hardware

The four ±300-VDC/peak-AC channels provide channel-to-channel and input-to-output isolation up to 500 VDC (±250 V peak AC) and have a trigger threshold of 4 V. The low voltage channels are protected up to ±30V.

A built-in rechargeable battery acts as a bridge when disconnecting the DI-160 from a PC and connecting it to the USB power supply. Three LEDs indicate when the DI-160 is actively acquiring data, when the unit is connected via USB to a PC (or the included AC power supply), and the charge state of the battery. A push-button allows you to start and stop recording to the SD memory card.

The DI-160 has a hardened plastic enclosure, measures just 2.63 x 5.50 x 1.53 in. (6.67 x 13.97 x 3.89 cm) and weighs 4.5 oz.

Software

DATAQ Event Recorder software gives users the ability enable and disable channels, choose a measurement mode and select a sample internal. Channels can be annotated to add unique identifiers, and Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) or local time can be chosen for time stamps.

The four selectable measurement modes include State, Event, High-speed (HS) Counter, and AC Counter. State is used to determine the duration of an event, and the Event mode is used to detect a single change of state (within a sample interval). The HS Counter measurement mode yields the total number of state changes within a sample interval, and the AC Counter is designed to count the number of times AC power turns on/off within a sample interval.

The DI-160 is priced at $299 and includes a mini screw driver, a 2-GB SD memory card, AC power supply, and a mini USB cable. The DATAQ Event Recorder software is available for free download.