Using the Active-Pro Safely

Written By Tim Harvey

The Active-Pro Firmware Debugger is used to connect to and monitor electronic signals from your own hardware designs. The following section is intended to help you understand what types of signals it can safely connect to, and which signals will damage the device.

WARNING

The Active-Pro is NOT galvanically isolated when connected via USB.  This mainly concerns systems where the target circuit AND the PC are plugged into AC power outlets.  If your target system OR the PC (Laptop) are battery powered, there is no issue.   If your PC and target circuit have different ground reference levels, connecting them together using the Active-Pro GND signal can damage the devices. 

To ensure both your PC and target system share the same ground reference, do the following:

1.        Use polarized power cords for both the PC and target and plug them into the same AC circuit.

If you use non-polarized power cords or use separate power circuits, the PC and target system may have different ground references which can damage the Active-Pro, target and/or PC.

2.        Ensure that a GND signal on the Active-Pro is connected to the target ground (and not another voltage level).

Also,

As with all electronic equipment where you are working with live voltages, it is possible to hurt yourself or damage equipment if not used properly. Although we have designed the Active-Pro pod for normal operating conditions, you can cause serious harm to humans and equipment by using the pod in conditions for which it is not specified.

Specifically:

  • ALWAYS connect at least one GND line to your circuits ground

  • NEVER connect the digital input signal lines (0 thru 7) to any voltage other than between -5V to +10 Volts

  • NEVER connect the analog signal input lines (ch1, ch2, ch3, ch4) to any voltage other than between -30V to +30V Volts

  • The Active-Pro actively drives Pod signals A0, A1, D0 and D1.  Make sure that these pod test leads are either unconnected or connected to signals that are not also driving.   

  • Plug in the Active-Pro Pod into a powered PC BEFORE connecting the leads to your design.

  • Uplug the Active-Pro from your design BEFORE powering off or unplugging the USB cable.

Tim Harvey
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