© National Instruments Corporation 1-1 SC-2043-SG User Manual
Chapter 1Introduction
This chapter describes the SC-2043-SG, lists what you need to get started with your
SC-2043-SG, describes the optional software and optional equipment, and explains how to
unpack your SC-2043-SG.

About the SC-2043-SG

The SC-2043-SG is an eight-channel signal conditioning board that interfaces strain gauge
signals to National Instruments DAQ boards. Each channel includes half-bridge completion with
jumper disable for full-bridge connections, sockets for quarter-bridge completion resistors,
amplifier gain of 10, buffered single pole 1.6 kHz filter, offset nulling circuit, and screw terminal
connections to accommodate strain gauge bridge measurements. Output voltage excitation leads
and input signal leads are attached at the screw terminals. An onboard excitation voltage source
is provided, along with screw terminal connections for optional (user-supplied) external
excitation, and is common to all channels. The conditioned strain gauge signals are routed to
eight single-ended analog inputs on the DAQ board.
Note: The NB-MIO-16H and AT-MIO-16H series boards have a maximum gain of 8 and
are not intended for interfacing to low-level signals. Therefore, you should not use
these boards with the SC-2043-SG.
The SC-2043-SG has additional breakout screw terminals for convenient signal termination of
additional analog inputs, analog outputs, and digital and timing I/O lines on the DAQ board
interfacing connector.
The SC-2043-SG is a circuitboard assembly that is placed on a workbench or mounted in a 19-in.
rack. The SC-2043-SG draws power from the DAQ board via the 50-pin interfacing connector.
A green LED indicates when the board is powered on.

What You Need to Get Started

To set up and use your SC-2043-SG, you will need the following components:
SC-2043-SG board
SC-2043-SG User Manual
SC-2043-SG screw terminal labels
One of the following software packages and documentation:
LabVIEW for Macintosh
LabVIEW for Windows
LabWindows/CVI for Windows
NI-DAQ for Macintosh
NI-DAQ for PC compatibles