What data acquisition equipment is right for me?
LabJack is Helping Engineers smile more and stress less, with our Product Comparison Table:
Price
Regular price
Sale price
$260
Regular price
Sale price
$550
Regular price
Sale price
$780
Regular price
Sale price
$1,400
Regular price
Sale price
$155
Regular price
Sale price
$155
Regular price
Sale price
$400
Regular price
Sale price
$490
Regular price
Sale price
$230
Regular price
Sale price
$550
Regular price
Sale price
$260
Regular price
Sale price
$780
Regular price
Sale price
$1,400
Regular price
Sale price
$155
Regular price
Sale price
$155
Regular price
Sale price
$400
Regular price
Sale price
$490
Regular price
Sale price
$230
Regular price
Sale price
$1,400
Regular price
Sale price
$260
Regular price
Sale price
$550
Regular price
Sale price
$780
Regular price
Sale price
$155
Regular price
Sale price
$155
Regular price
Sale price
$400
Regular price
Sale price
$490
Regular price
Sale price
$230
Analog Input Range
±10V (AIN0-3), 0-2.5V (AIN4-11)
±10V, ±1V, ±0.1V and ±0.01V
±10V, ±1V, ±0.1V and ±0.01V
±11V, to ±0.018V
0-2.4V
±10V
±10V
±10V
±10V
±10V, ±1V, ±0.1V and ±0.01V
±10V (AIN0-3), 0-2.5V (AIN4-11)
±10V, ±1V, ±0.1V and ±0.01V
±11V, to ±0.018V
0-2.4V
±10V
±10V
±10V
±10V
±11V, to ±0.018V
±10V (AIN0-3), 0-2.5V (AIN4-11)
±10V, ±1V, ±0.1V and ±0.01V
±10V, ±1V, ±0.1V and ±0.01V
0-2.4V
±10V
±10V
±10V
±10V
Analog Inputs w/ Mux80
N/A
84
84
N/A
N/A
N/A
84
84
N/A
84
N/A
84
N/A
N/A
N/A
84
84
N/A
N/A
N/A
84
84
N/A
N/A
84
84
N/A
12 bits
16 bits
up to 22 bits
24 bits
12 bits
12 bits
16 bits
22 bits
12-bits
16 bits
12 bits
up to 22 bits
24 bits
12 bits
12 bits
16 bits
22 bits
12-bits
24 bits
12 bits
16 bits
up to 22 bits
12 bits
12 bits
16 bits
22 bits
12-bits
Digital I/O
16
23
23
20
20
16
20
20
20
23
16
23
20
20
16
20
20
20
20
16
23
23
20
16
20
20
20
Analog Outputs
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
Analog Outputs w/ LJTDACs [4]
up to 16
22
up to 22
up to 22
22
18
22
22
N/A
22
up to 16
up to 22
up to 22
22
18
22
22
N/A
up to 22
up to 16
22
up to 22
22
18
22
22
N/A
Counters
Up to 10
Up to 10
Up to 10
Up to 10
Up to 2
Up to 2
Up to 2
Up to 2
1
Up to 10
Up to 10
Up to 10
Up to 10
Up to 2
Up to 2
Up to 2
Up to 2
1
Up to 10
Up to 10
Up to 10
Up to 10
Up to 2
Up to 2
Up to 2
Up to 2
1
Maximum Sample Rate
50 kHz aggregate
100kHz aggregate
100kHz
40k samples per channel simultaneous
50kHz aggregate
50kHz aggregate
50 kHz
50 kHz
1.2kHz
100kHz aggregate
50 kHz aggregate
100kHz
40k samples per channel simultaneous
50kHz aggregate
50kHz aggregate
50 kHz
50 kHz
1.2kHz
40k samples per channel simultaneous
50 kHz aggregate
100kHz aggregate
100kHz
50kHz aggregate
50kHz aggregate
50 kHz
50 kHz
1.2kHz
USB
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Ethernet
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes-PoE
No
No
No
No
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes-PoE
No
No
No
No
No
Yes-PoE
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
No
No
No
No
Built-in WiFi
No
No
Yes
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
Yes
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
Yes
No
No
No
No
No
Modbus TCP
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
No
No
No
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
No
No
No
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
No
No
No
No
On-board Lua Scripting
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
No
No
No
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
No
No
No
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
No
No
No
No
Thermocouple Ready [2]
No-Needs InAmp
Yes
Yes
Yes
No-Needs InAmp
No-Needs InAmp
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
No-Needs InAmp
Yes
Yes
No-Needs InAmp
No-Needs InAmp
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
No-Needs InAmp
Yes
Yes
No-Needs InAmp
No-Needs InAmp
Yes
Yes
No
OEM Version
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes (U12-PH or U12-NTH)
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes (U12-PH or U12-NTH)
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes (U12-PH or U12-NTH)
Calibration Service with Cert
No-Consider T7 or U6
Yes
Yes
No-not yet!
No
No
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
No-Consider T7 or U6
Yes
No-not yet!
No
No
Yes
Yes
No
No-not yet!
No-Consider T7 or U6
Yes
Yes
No
No
Yes
Yes
No
[1] According to actual measured data, see related Noise and Resolution (App Note).
[2] If not thermocouple ready, can purchase an amplifier like the LJTick-InAmp, see related Thermocouples (App Note).
[3] The T4 has 4 high voltage (±10V) analog inputs plus 8 low voltage (0-2.5V) analog inputs. The U3-HV has 4 high voltage (±10V) analog inputs plus 12 low voltage (0-2.4V) analog inputs.
[4] Use LJTick-DACs to add 16-20 analog outputs.
The U12 is an older devices and are not recommended for most new applications. Consider using the T4, T7, U3, or U6.
Data Acquisition Applications
Reading Encoders
LabJack will read all major types of encoders including absolute, incremental and rotary. Our encoder app note features a general overview on different types of encoders, how to properly wire them to a LabJack, and different ways to read and record data from encoders.
DAQ with LabJack
Controlling Motors
LabJack devices can be used to control various types of motors, including stepper motors and PID controllers. In addition, LabJack devices can output PWM signals for accurate duty cycle control, voltage regulation and motor speed control for maximum torque at low speeds.
Stepper Motor (App Note)
DAQ Device FAQs
New to Data Acquisition (DAQ)? Not Sure Where to Start?
Talk to an experienced LabJack staff member or engineer at a mutually convenient time. Or try chatting online right now! Our engineers provide real-time live chat Monday-Friday between 9AM-11AM and 2PM-4PM Mountain Time. Click the chat bar in the bottom right of any page. Not online? Email Support@LabJack.com or call us at +1(303)942-0228
Optional Accessories:
Optional Accessories:
The CB15 is a simple screw terminal breakout for the DB15 connector.
The CB37 is a simple screw terminal breakout board for the DB37 connector. It only works with the U6 and T7 devices and can also be paired with the Mux80 for high channel application up to 84 AINs.
The Mux80 is an Analog Input Expansion board for the T7 and U6. Connected directly to the DB37 connector is can allow a single device to read up to 84 AINs.
The RB12 Relay Board provides a convenient interface for the LabJack to industry standard relays to interface a LabJack with high voltages/currents. The RB12 relay board connects to the DB15 connector on the LabJack. Output or input
The LJTick-Divider (LJTD) signal-conditioning module is designed to divide 2 single-ended higher voltage analog signals down to 0-2.5 volt signals.
The LJTick-DAC (LJTDAC) provides a pair of 14-bit analog outputs with a range of ±10 volts. Plugs into any digital I/O block, and thus up to 10 of these can be used per device to add 20 analog outputs.
The LJTick-InAmp (LJTIA) signal-conditioning module provides two instrumentation amplifiers ideal for low-level signals such as bridge circuits (e.g. strain gauges) and thermocouples. Each amplifier converts a differential input to single-ended.
The LJTick-RelayDriver (LJTRD) allows 2 digital I/O lines to each control a relay or other moderate load up to 50V/200mA.
The LJTick-CurrentShunt (LJTCS) signal-conditioning module is designed to convert a 4-20 mA current loop input signal into a 0.47-2.36 volt signal.
The LJTick-Proto (LJTP) consists of an 8x8 grid of holes for prototyping custom signal-conditioning modules.
Drawings, Dimensions, 3D Models, CAD Models
LabJack enclosure and OEM drawings and models are provided in several neutral file formats. Please see the links below to navigate to the correct LabJack.
DAQ Definition: What Is A DAQ System?
DAQ is short for data acquisition which is short for data acquisition and control. The term describes the process of acquiring readings from sensors and transducers (temperature, pressure, strain, etc.), and controlling actuators (relays, solenoids, etc.). In our case the emphasis is on computer-based DAQ, where the LabJack is the interface that allows a computer to read from sensors and control actuators.
What is an analog input? (AI, AIN, ADC)
AI or AIN = Analog Input
ADC = Analog to Digital Converter
An analog input converts a voltage level into a digital value that can be stored and processed in a computer. Why would you want to measure voltages? There are a multitude of sensors available which convert things like temperature, pressure, etc. into voltages. The voltages can then be easily measured by various kinds of hardware, such as a LabJack U3-HV, and then read into a computer. The computer can then convert the voltage value into it's original type (temperature, pressure, etc) and the value can then be stored in a file, emailed to someone, or used to control something else outside of the computer.
Example:
Get temperature from a sensor using an analog input.
- Wire the output of the analog temperature sensor to a U3-HV as shown.
- Read the voltage on the computer to know the current temperature.
- This particular sensor outputs 0.01 volts per °F, so 0.76V corresponds with 76°F.
Explore LabJack's Analog Input App Note