Wiring a Hall Sensor to a DAQ Device with LabVIEW

Updated Jan 4, 2021

Reported In

Software

  • LabVIEW

Driver

  • NI-DAQmx

Other

  • Hall Sensor

Issue Details

I have a DAQ device (ex: USB-6001) and I want to measure the digital output of a Hall Sensor. I think I wired everything right:
  • Connected the power (+5 V) pin to +Vcc of the sensor
  • Connected the GND to the Ground of the Hall sensor.
  • Connected the Digital Input (ex:port0/line0 : P0.0) of my DAQ device to the Hall Voltage
I opened the example "Digital -SW Timed Input", choose the digital input as the one I connected my sensor with (P0.0) but I didn't get any signal.
What am I missing?

Solution

You have different elements you can troubleshoot:
  1. Wiring: Ensure that everything is wired correctly. Refer to the specification of your DAQ device and of your Hall sensor.
  2. LabVIEW code: Ensure you are using the correct example and the correct digital input
  3. DAQ device Issue: Unplug your Hall sensor and wire a digital signal (ex: +5V) directly to the digital input of your DAQ device.
    1. If you cannot read the "TRUE" boolean value, try different ports and lines:
      • if another port/line works, it means your DAQ device has a broken port/line
      • If no port/line works, try with a different DAQ device (if available ) to confirm that the first one is faulty.
    2. If you can read the "TRUE" boolean value, it means that you have an issue related to your Hall sensor.
  4. Hall Sensor Issue:
    1. Try with another sensor if available . If the other sensor works, it means the first one is faulty.
    2.  Check if a pull-up resistor is needed with your sensor. Some Hall effect switches are Open Collector and require a 1 kΩ pull-up resistor (check the recommandation from your sensor supplier) to be connected between the Hall effect switch output and the power supply line, as shown directly below.​​​​​