Null Relay – Touch 1 / 1100H+
BACK STORY:
Cirris Systems implemented a new “Null Relay” Touch1/1100H+ scanner daughter card design in January 2010. The new design resolves “high” contact resistance issues that began occurring in Omron relays after changes were made by the manufacturer to bring the components into RoHs compliance. Most frequently, this condition would be encountered as a failure in the zero-ohm portion of the performance check process with failure measurements ranging from a few tenths of an ohm to several ohms, although it could also produce high resistance failures while testing.
TESTERS AFFECTED:
The new null relay scanner daughter cards can be used in all 1100H+ testers and in Touch1 testers with serial numbers 25000-T1 or higher. The new null relay cards cannot be used in the Signature 1000H+, 1000HX, 1000HN testers or in Touch1 testers with serial numbers beginning with the digits “10” (i.e. S/N 10XXX-T1).
SOFTWARE VERSION:
Additionally, the new design requires that testers using the new null relay daughter cards be running the software versions specified below:
1100H Software Version 4.8a or higher
EXCEPTIONS:
It should be noted that customers using equipment that meets the hardware requirements, but who are unable to upgrade to the required software versions for other reasons, will not be able to use the new scanner daughter cards in their testers. Such circumstances may include those companies that cannot upgrade their tester software because they have had their test processes approved in accordance with FDA regulations and cannot make any changes to their processes, including software modifications, without the prior approval.
Frequently Asked Questions:
How can I tell the new null relay scanner daughter cards from the older scanner daughter cards? The new scanner daughter cards released January 2010 will include an RED barcode label on the edge of the card and have the top corner of the printed circuit board card clipped at a 45 degree angle, as shown below.
Yes, the new ‘null relay’ scanner daughter cards can be used with older scanner cards in the same Touch1 or 1100H+ tester as long as the tester meets the hardware and software requirements noted above.
What about my older Cirris HiPot testers that do not support the new scanner daughter design?
Cirris will continue to sell and support high voltage scanner daughter cards for the 1000H+, 1000HX, 1000HN and older T1 testers. Also, keep in mind that the scanner daughter cards from existing 1000H+, 1000HX, 1000HN and older Touch1 testers can often be transferred to new 1100H+ or Touch1 testers. Call Cirris for upgrade pricing details 1-800-441-9910.
How will I know if ‘null relay’ daughter cards have been installed in a tester that cannot accommodate the cards due to hardware or software incompatibilities?
The tester will report the error messages detailed in the table below.
| Tester Type | Software Version | Error Message |
| 1000HX | Any | BOX 1 DB1 PT2 SNK ERR |
| 1000H+ | Any | BOX 1 DB1 PT2 SNK ERR |
| 1100H+ | 4.7c and older | Two different errors will occur. Error #1: Scanner Failure Check Scanner Cables: (it will then list the scanner cards. One will show as attached, all others will say Missing Box) Error #2: Invalid Wirelist not enough Scanners attached for test. |
| 1100H+ | 4.8 and newer | No error message. Scanners will work with this version of software. |
| Touch 1 | 5.1e and older | Two different errors will occur. Error #1: Scanner Assembly Failure: Check the cable to the Scanners Error #2: Box # Cable# Point # Failed SINK test look for external Voltage Source attached to a test point |
| Touch 1 | 5.2 and newer | No error message. Scanners will work with this version of software |
Serial Number Notes
First serial numbers of testers built using the new null relay scanner daughter cards:
1100H+ (1,000vdc) – S/N 66400-1H
1100H+ (1000VDC w/64 test points) – S/N 2200-164
1100H+ (1,500vdc) – S/N 1529-H4
Touch1 (1,000vdc) – Base S/N 37601-T1; Expansion Box – S/N 36400-TA
Touch 1 1500V
Touch 1 with 64 points
2 April 2010