LX Series - General Purpose Switching Systems

The LX Series matrices are reliable, low cost, and versatile switching systems. A modular design concept is used. Interchangeable control modules, switch modules, and display modules can be assembled into matrices, multiplexers, or individual switch point configurations. All chassis have full front panel LED displays. Status feedback from all switches is provided.

A variety of switch modules are offered, including those designed to handle the following signals:

  • Type S reed relays +/- 200 V and +/- 1 A
  • Type A Armature relays hot switching up to 60 VA
  • Low Level (with a DC offset less than 1 microvolt)
  • High Voltages (up to 1,500 volts)
  • High Current (up to 8 amps)

Control options include:

  • 10/100Base-T Ethernet
  • IEEE488 Bus
  • RS232 Serial
  • USB Serial Bus
  • Manual Controls also available

Table of Contents

LXA Chassis

LXA/128-MF Mainframe or -E Expansion Chassis

These Chassis control up to 16 modules with up to 8 relays per module. A large variety of different switch modules are available to build almost any configuration. Modules are available to build matrix or mux configurations or discrete relay modules. Input detection modules, output driver modules and proto board modules allow custom systems for almost any application. LEDs on the front panel show switch and power status. A thumbwheel manual control is optional.

Dimensions:
19″ Rack Mount (483 mm)
15″ deep (381 mm)
3.5″ (90 mm), (2 RU) high.
Weight: 15 to 25 lbs (7 to 11 Kg) max
AC Power : 50 to 150 Watts max. 110/220 selectable.

LXA Switch Modules

LX8/G Modules

LX G type modules interconnect to each other through the LXA motherboard and allow a large variety of different configurations depending on how they are externally interconnected. Up to 16 switch modules may be installed as well as one Signal I/O modules which bring the switched signals out to a common connector. Using this technique it is possible to form an endless arrangement of different configurations. Some examples are below:

MUX configurations

  • Eight separate 1×16 multiplexers
  • Four separate 1×32 Multiplexers
  • Two separate 1×64 Multiplexers
  • One 1×128 Multiplexer
  • Combinations of the above

Matrix configurations

  • 16×8 Matrix
  • 32×4 Matrix
  • 64×2 Matrix
  • Two 16×4 Matrices

Available with the following relays:

  • Type P power relays for up to 8 Amps
  • Type S reeds, +/- 200 V, 1 A, 10 W
  • Type A armature relays, +/- 2A, 60 W
  • Type HV reeds, +/- 1000 V, 60 W
  • Click here for full relay specs.

Available with the following connectors:

  • Screw Terminals (shown) for Types S, P, A and HV Relays
  • 20 Pin Header Connectors for Type S Relays only

LX8/K Modules

LX K type modules have discrete relays with individual contacts wired out to the rear panel connector as shown in the figures to the left.

  • Type P power relays for up to 8 Amps with screw terminal connectors
  • Type S reeds, +/- 200 V, 1 A, 10 W with header connectors.
  • Type M reeds, +/- 400 V, 2 A, 50 W with header or card edge connectors.
  • Type A armature relays, +/- 2A, 60 W header connector.
  • Type HV reeds, +/- 1000 V, 60 W with card edge connector.

LX8/ID Modules

LX8/ID modules have discrete circuits that can be used to detect contact sense, DC Volts, Current flow, AC sense, threshold voltage or whatever circuit you can dream up. Detection circuit is opto isolated and allows status feedback to your computer. See circuit examples in the drawing to the left. There are 8 circuits per module. Specify what circuit you would want on the prototyping section of the board. 20 Pin header connector for I/O.

LX8/OD Output Driver Modules

LX8/OD modules have discrete circuits that can be used to drive external devices such as large relays or solenoids. These driver modules are available with three different transistors or per your specs, to deal with TTL signals all the way up to 8 amps of current at 100 VDC. Opto isolated drives with status feedback to the remote computer. 16 Pin Screw Terminal mating connector included.

LX8/G1P-ST Switch Modules

LX8/G1P-ST Switch Modules are 1×8 Single wire configurations per module. The x8 relays can be bussed across all module slots for power distribution or the motherboard connections can be cut so each module simply acts as a single 1×8. 10 pin screw terminal connectors for easy wiring. Handles up to 8 amps hot switched and up to 2000 VA of switched power.

LXB Mainframe Chassis

These Chassis are preconfigured single or two pole matix systems. A single chassis can be a 16×8 matrix, two 16×4 matrices, a single 32×4 or a single 64×2 configuration. Chassis is modular so you may start with a smaller size and increase the configuration as your needs grow. LEDs on the front panel show switch and power status. A thumbwheel manual control is optional. Remote control is from 10/100 LAN, GPIB, RS232, USB or TTL. A variety of relays are available to handle almost any voltage. Connector options are BNC, Screw Terminal or Twinax.

Dimensions:
19″ Rack Mount (483 mm)
15″ deep (381 mm)
3.5″ (90 mm), (2 RU) high.
Weight: 15 to 25 lbs (7 to 11 Kg) max
AC Power : 50 to 150 Watts max. 110/220 selectable.

Electrical Specs:

  • Bandpass: 25 MHz
  • Isolation: -60 dB @ 1 MHz, -50 dB @ 25 MHz
  • Switch Speed: 2 ms
  • Life Expectancy: 100 million operations
  • Relay specs: See below in module section

LXB Switch Modules

LXB/2(1x4) Switch Modules

LXB/2(1×4) Switch Modules can be used to build dual 16×4 matrices, a single 32×4 matrix or a single 16×8 matrix. A variety of relays and connector options allow configurations for almost any signal. Matrix configurations are non-blocking and allow any or all relays to be turned on at the same time for signal distribution.

  • Type P power relays for up to 8 Amps with screw terminal connectors
  • Type S reeds, +/- 200 V, 1 A, 10 W with BNC or Twin BNC connectors.
  • Type M reeds, +/- 400 V, 2 A, 50 W with ST or BNC connectors.
  • Type LT Low Thermal relays, less than 3 uV offset w/ header connectors.
  • Single pole relays available as Type S or M for cost savings

LXB/4(1x2) Switch Modules

 

LXB/4(1×2) Switch Modules can be used to build 64×2 matrix configurations. Modular construction allows any size from 4×2 to 64×2 simply by adding more modules. A variety of relays and connector options allow configurations for almost any signal. Matrix configurations are non-blocking and allow any or all relays to be turned on at the same time for signal distribution.

  • Type S reeds, +/- 200 V, 1 A, 10 W with BNC, Twin BNC or ST connectors.
  • Type M reeds, +/- 400 V, 2 A, 50 W with ST or BNC connectors.
  • Type LT Low Thermal relays, less than 3 uV offset w/ header connectors.
  • Single pole relays available as Type S or M for cost savings