This item is an ASSY (Assembly), specifically a Data Acquisition (DAQ) Control Board or Interface Card manufactured by Data Translation. It is a specialized printed circuit board (PCB) designed to be the core component of a larger data acquisition system, likely a external box or a proprietary industrial computer.
The key component on this board is the Analog Devices AD210JN, which is a high-performance, 3-Port Isolation Amplifier.
Key Components & Specifications
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Manufacturer: Data Translation (A well-known and respected manufacturer of data acquisition hardware and software, founded in the 1970s and later acquired by various entities including Analog Devices).
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Part Number:Â 918-0401 REV.BÂ – This is the specific assembly number for this control board. “Rev.B” indicates it is the second revision of the board, containing minor fixes or improvements over the original.
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Critical Component:Â Analog Devices AD210JN Isolation Amplifier. This chip is the heart of the board’s functionality.
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Function: It provides complete electrical isolation (typically 2500V or more) between the input signals, the output signals, and the power supply. This is absolutely critical in industrial environments to:
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Protect expensive computer equipment from voltage spikes, noise, and ground loops coming from factory machinery.
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Ensure accurate readings of small sensor signals by blocking interference.
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Protect operators from high voltages.
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3-Port:Â It isolates the input, the output, and the power, each from one another.
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Primary Function: This board almost certainly functions as a multi-channel isolated analog input module. It would take real-world analog signals (e.g., from thermocouples, pressure transducers, strain gauges), condition them, isolate them, and digitize them or prepare them for a computer’s bus (like ISA, PCI, or a proprietary connector).
What is it used for? (Purpose)
This board was designed for industrial data acquisition and process control. Its specific applications would include:
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Factory Automation:Â Monitoring temperatures, pressures, and forces on a production line.
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Test and Measurement Stands:Â Acquiring data from sensors in automotive, aerospace, or product testing environments.
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SCADA Systems:Â Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition in industries like water treatment, oil & gas, and manufacturing.
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Laboratory Instrumentation:Â Isolating sensitive measuring equipment from noisy power sources.
Who is this for? (Ideal User)
This is a highly specialized, legacy industrial component for a very specific user:
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Industrial Maintenance Technicians or Engineers who are responsible for maintaining very old, proprietary data acquisition systems that use this exact Data Translation assembly.
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Vintage Industrial Computer Collectors or Restorers.
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Someone with a broken Data Translation system (e.g., a DT800 series box) who needs this exact board for a direct replacement to get their critical system running again.
Critical Considerations for a “USED” Unit
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Extreme Obsolescence: This is a legacy component from the 1980s or 1990s. It is not compatible with modern computers without the rest of the original system (e.g., a proprietary interface box and likely obsolete software drivers for DOS or old versions of Windows).
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No Standalone Function: This is an assembly, not a complete product. It cannot be used by itself. It requires the specific chassis, power supply, and cabling it was designed for.
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Unknown History:Â As a used board, its functionality is unknown. Capacitors age and can fail, and static discharge can damage sensitive components.
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Documentation: To have any hope of using it, you would need the exact Technical Manual or Datasheet for the Data Translation product it came from.