View source for VCP1001 User Guide

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<metadesc>The Voltage Input Phidget measures voltage potentials of up to ±40V. It connects to a VINT port and is isolated for increased reliability.</metadesc>
[[Category:UserGuide]]
==Getting Started==
{{UGIntro|VCP1001}}
* [{{SERVER}}/products.php?product_id=VCP1001 VCP1001 - (±40V) Voltage Input Phidget]
* {{VINTHub}} 
* {{CT|PhidgetCable|Phidget cable}}
* USB cable and computer
* something to use with the VCP1001 (e.g. a voltage source, a voltage output device, etc.)


Next, you will need to connect the pieces:
[[Image:VCP1001_Functional.jpeg|600px|right|link=]]
# Connect the VCP1001 to the VINT Hub using the Phidget cable.
# Connect the voltage source to the terminals of the Voltage Input Phidget (ground to the minus terminal, supply to the plus terminal).
# Connect the VINT Hub to your computer with a USB cable.

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==Using the VCP1001==
{{UGcontrolpanel|VCP1001}}

{{ugVoltageInput|VCP1001|, labelled ''(±40V) Voltage Input Phidget'', }}
*{{UGVoltageRangeDescription}}

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{{ugUsingYourOwnProgram|VCP1001}}

==Technical Details==
===Isolation===
The VCP1001 is electrically isolated, so a power surge in the circuit you're measuring would only damage the VCP1001- it won't damage your Hub or your computer. Having isolation also helps prevent the formation of [[Improving_Phidgets_Hardware_Reliability#Device_Resets_.28Due_to_Grounding_Issues.29|ground loops]] in your system. 

Another advantage of isolation on the VCP1001 is the capability to measure the voltage differential between two points of a circuit regardless of their relation to ground, as long as the voltage differential between those points is within the specification of the sensor.

For example, take the pictured battery charging circuit; there is sufficient complexity between the battery and VINT Hub that trying to directly measure the voltage with a non-isolated sensor could be a risky proposition. However, thanks to the isolated nature of the VCP1001, the battery voltage may be measured directly, ignoring the circuits in between.

[[Image:VCP1001_Isolation_Battery_Diagram.jpg|link=|center|frame|Measuring the battery voltage in this circuit is made easy through isolation!]]

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