Fitting sensors to an NI 9205/9213/9476 test-stand DAQ

When checking whether new sensors fit a test stand built on NI C-series modules, read each module datasheet instead of assuming. The NI 9205 reads only voltage (±10, ±5, ±1 or ±0.2 V), so order amplified 0-5 V transducers that run on a wide supply such as 8-30 V; 4-20 mA units need shunt resistors, and ratiometric 0.5-4.5 V units need a regulated 5 V supply the stand may not have. The NI 9213 takes thermocouples on push-in spring terminals for bare wire (26-16 AWG), so miniature TC plugs need adapters or stripped extension wire. The NI 9476 sources 24 V at up to 250 mA per channel with no current limiting, so a solenoid coil over about 6 W needs a relay on its own supply, with flyback suppression. Accelerometers and measurement microphones are usually IEPE and need a constant-current conditioner, because plain voltage DAQs such as an MCC USB-1608G do not power them.