What is a PCI Relay Board or Card?

In more detail, a Peripheral Component Interconnect is an interconnection system between a microprocessor and attached devices in which expansion slots are spaced closely for high-speed operation. Some PCI-based computers can support both new PCI cards while continuing to support Industry Standard Architecture (ISA) expansion cards, an older standard. PCI is now installed on most new desktop computers.

A PCI relay board is typically designed for switching applications, using either FORM A or FORM C type electromechanical relays with available isolation up to 500 V. A PCI relay card typically is designed with 8 to 16 relays per card. If more switching is required, more relay cards can be used. These powerful relay cards can be used to switch on or off a very wide range of devices, including fans, blowers, and pumps.

The typical PCI relay board can be used in conjunction with an A/D data acquisition board to create a fully controlled system. As an example, consider the used of an A/D data acquisition board to measure the fluid level in a large tank of paint used to fill aerosol cans. The data acquisition board would be use to acquire the level in the tank after 100 cans are filled. Based on a simple program, the data acquisition board would send a digital signal telling the PCI relay board to either switch a relay on to pump more paint to the tank to refill it, or to another relay which controls turning on a mixer to stir the paint up to make sure it was the right consistency. Now add to that a counter/timer on the A/D data acquisition board, and a complete paint can processing system can be automated.

Measurement Computing Corporation offers the largest selection of PC-based data acquisition and measurement products. Shop our online catalog by selecting a category above. From PCI, USB, PC/104, ISA, and PCMCIA bus to RS-232, RS-422, RS-485, and GPIB interfaces; Measurement Computing has everything you need for your PC-based data acquisition and control applications.