ThermistorInputPoint

A ThermistorInputPoint is a NumericPoint with NrioResistiveInputProxyExt configured for a UI to read a thermistor temperature sensor (10K ohm type). It is pre-configured with a linearCalibration extension for offset correction. For details, see Linear Calibration Ext.

NoteA ThermistorInputPoint is the same as a ResistiveInputPoint, only with a different “Conversion” setting in its ProxyExt. However, the Nrio Point Manager lists this point separately, so it is covered here separately.

Figure 27. Nrio Thermistor Input Point


Nrio Thermistor Input Point

The point’s Proxy Ext contains common Nrio Proxy Ext properties. Among those properties, note that the read-only “Device Facets” is preset to ohms.

Depending on the type of thermistor temperature sensor you are using, you can select a Conversion type of either Type-3 Thermistor, or any other using a Tabular Thermistor conversion.

Type-3 Thermistor

Table 2 shows the hard-coded response curve used if the ProxyExt property Conversion is set to “Thermistor Type 3”:

Table 2. Type-3 Thermistor Nrio Curve

Ohms Deg. C
0 165
610 110
1060 90
1690 75
2320 65
3250 55
4620 45
6240 37
8197 30
10000 25
12268 20
15136 15
18787 10
23462 5
29462 0
37462 -5
47549 -10
61030 -15
78930 -20
100000 -25


Tabular Thermistor notes

In the ProxyExt of the thermistor point, if you select Conversion type of “Tabular Thermistor,” an edit control (note pad icon) appears in the property sheet beside it. Click the icon to see the Tabular Thermistor dialog, as shown in Figure 28.

Figure 28. Tabular Thermistor Dialog from edit control


Tabular Thermistor Dialog from edit control


This dialog allows you to edit the current ohms-to-degrees Celsius curve used by the proxy point, import another thermistor curve (.xml file), or export (save) the current thermistor curve as an .xml file. In this way you can provide any custom thermistor curve needed.

The following notes apply to using this feature:

  • A curve requires at least 2 points (rows), each using ohms to degrees Celsius values.

  • Points are used in ascending order, by the Ohms column.

  • You can add as many points as is needed (there is no hard-coded limit). Click the Add button to add a new row for a point.

  • If you skip a point, just add it at the end, and then click Resort. This automatically reorders all points in ascending order, by the Ohms column.

  • Click the delete icon (trash can) beside any point to delete it from the curve. If you click the Delete All button, all points (plus any Description text) is removed (typically, you do this only to enter a new thermistor curve).

  • Description text appears in the ProxyExt property sheet, beside the Conversion edit icon.

  • When you click Save, the curve configuration is stored as part of the conversion object in the station (there is no association with any external file, in case you imported a thermistor curve).

    NoteIf you update a thermistor curve (say, add a point) after importing it into one or more Nrio points, you need to import it in those points again, in order for them to be updated.

    Related to this, see Curve File Import/Export notes.

Curve File Import/Export notes

As needed, import (load) or export (save) a thermistor or non-linear curve file in xml format using the Import and Export buttons in the either the Tabular Thermistor Dialog (Figure 28) for a “Tabular Thermistor” conversion, or Generic Tabular Dialog (Figure 28) for a “Generic Tabular” conversion.

When you do this, the standard Niagara File Chooser dialog appears, as shown in Figure 29.

Figure 29. File Chooser to locate thermistor .xml file for Import


File Chooser to locate thermistor .xml file for Import


To import a thermistor curve file, navigate to the xml folder in the kitIo module (Jar) file in your modules (“My Modules”), see Figure 29. Or, navigate to any other location you have a thermistor curve file. Import any other saved, custom non-linear conversion .xml files the same way—see Non-linear sensor support.

NoteThe source .xml file for importing a thermistor or non-linear curve is not required to be in any installed module, either on the target JACE or your Workbench PC. However, as a convenience, a few standard thermistor curve files are included in the kitIo module. Additional ones may be added in future builds.

As of the date of this document, the kitIo module contains an xml folder with five (5) different thermistor curves in xml format, as follows:

  • precon_type_2_model_24.xml — For Precon type 2 model 24 sensor

  • precon_type_4_model_42.xml — For Precon type 4 model 42 sensor

  • rs271_0110.xml — For Radio Shack sensor model 271-0110

  • te6300_10k — For TE-6300 10K type sensor

  • type_3.xml — For standard Type-3 Thermistor sensor

NoteUpon any curve file import, all existing thermistor or non-linear curve configuration for that Nrio point is overwritten (replaced by configuration in the imported file). A confirmation dialog advises you of this before you import, as shown in Figure 30

Figure 30. Curve file import confirmation


Curve file import confirmation

To export a curve .xml file, use the File Chooser to navigate to any location you wish to save the current thermistor or non-linear curve configuration, and supply a File Name. You can use this saved .xml file in the configuration of any other like Nrio proxy point, whether in this station or another station.