Chapter 3 Example Applications
FieldPoint FP-3000 User Manual 3-6
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National Instruments Corporation
Bring the Block Online
1. Go to the MODE_BLK parameter of the Resource block and set the
TARGET to Auto.
2. Go to the MODE_BLK parameter of the block you created and set the
TARGET to Auto.
3. Re-read the MODE_BLK parameter. The ACTUAL field should go to
Auto. If it does not, refer to AppendixC, Fieldbus Parameters, for
more information.
Once the block goes to Auto, it is fully operational. You can look at the
value of OUT and see the pressure reading from the sensor in inches of
water. The pressure reading can be displayed on an HMI, trended, or used
for control (refer to the section Example 2: Temperature Control with the
FP-3000 for more information about using the reading for control).
Example 2: Temperature Control with the FP-3000
One application the FP-3000 is commonly used for is controlling
temperature. A temperature control application might include a heating
element and a temperature sensor and require temperature to be maintained
at a constant level. Such an application would be well suited for PID
control. In this example, the thermocouple measures the temperature in an
enclosure, a PID block performs control, and the current output from an
FP-AO-200 heats the heating element.
If you want to know how to get a thermocouple reading but are not
interested in closed-loop PID control, perform only the steps in the section
Taking Temperature Readings. After you complete those steps, the
FP-3000 takes temperature readings. If you want to know how to output
current to a simple device (like a resistive heating element) but are not
interested in closed-loop PID control, proceed to the section Controlling a
Heating Element, and perform the steps there. After you complete those
steps, the FP-3000 controls output current.

Getting Started

Example 2 requires the following materials:
• Thermocouple or RTD input module (FP-TC-120 or FP-RTD-122)
• AO module such as the FP-AO-200 or FP-PWM-520 (this example
uses the FP-TC-120)
• FP-3000 network module