
GETTING STARTED GUIDE
NI 9411
6 DI, ±5 V to 24 V, Differential/Single-Ended,
500 ns

This document explains how to connect to the NI 9411.
Note Before you begin, complete the software and
hardware installation procedures in your chassis
documentation.
Note The guidelines in this document are specific to
the NI 9411. The other components in the system might
not meet the same safety ratings. Refer to the
documentation for each component in the system to
determine the safety and EMC ratings for the entire
system.
Safety Guidelines
Operate the NI 9411 only as described in this document.
Caution Do not operate the NI 9411 in a manner not
specified in this document. Product misuse can result in
a hazard. You can compromise the safety protection
built into the product if the product is damaged in any
way. If the product is damaged, return it to NI for
repair.
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Safety Voltages
Connect only voltages that are within the following limits.
Channel-to-COM
or Vsup-to-COM
30 V maximum,
Measurement Category I
Isolation
Channel-to-channel None
Channel-to-earth ground
Continuous 30 Vrms, 42.4 Vpk, 60 VDC
Withstand 400 Vrms, verified by a 5 s
dielectric withstand test
Measurement Category I is for measurements performed on
circuits not directly connected to the electrical distribution system
referred to as MAINS voltage. MAINS is a hazardous live
electrical supply system that powers equipment. This category is
for measurements of voltages from specially protected secondary
circuits. Such voltage measurements include signal levels, special
equipment, limited-energy parts of equipment, circuits powered
by regulated low-voltage sources, and electronics.
NI 9411 Getting Started Guide | © National Instruments | 3

Caution Do not connect the NI 9411 to signals or use
for measurements within Measurement Categories II,
III, or IV.
Note Measurement Categories CAT I and CAT O are
equivalent. These test and measurement circuits are not
intended for direct connection to the MAINS building
installations of Measurement Categories CAT II,
CAT III, or CAT IV.
Safety Guidelines for Hazardous Locations
The NI 9411 is suitable for use in Class I, Division 2, Groups A,
B, C, D, T4 hazardous locations; Class I, Zone 2, AEx nA IIC T4
and Ex nA IIC T4 hazardous locations; and nonhazardous
locations only. Follow these guidelines if you are installing the
NI 9411 in a potentially explosive environment. Not following
these guidelines may result in serious injury or death.
Caution Do not disconnect I/O-side wires or
connectors unless power has been switched off or the
area is known to be nonhazardous.
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Caution Do not remove modules unless power has
been switched off or the area is known to be
nonhazardous.
Caution Substitution of components may impair
suitability for Class I, Division 2.
Caution For Division 2 and Zone 2 applications,
install the system in an enclosure rated to at least IP54
as defined by IEC/EN 60079-15.
Caution For Zone 2 applications, install a protection
device between the Vsup and COM terminals on the
NI 9411. The device must prevent the input Vsup-toCOM voltage from exceeding 42 V if a transient
overvoltage condition occurs.
Special Conditions for Hazardous Locations Use in
Europe and Internationally
The NI 9411 has been evaluated as Ex nA IIC T4 Gc equipment
under DEMKO Certificate No. 03 ATEX 0324020X and is
IECEx UL 14.0089X certified. Each NI 9411 is marked II 3G
and is suitable for use in Zone 2 hazardous locations, in ambient
temperatures of -40 °C ≤ Ta ≤ 70 °C. If you are using the NI 9411
NI 9411 Getting Started Guide | © National Instruments | 5

in Gas Group IIC hazardous locations, you must use the device in
an NI chassis that has been evaluated as Ex nC IIC T4, Ex IIC
T4, Ex nA IIC T4, or Ex nL IIC T4 equipment.
Caution You must make sure that transient
disturbances do not exceed 140% of the rated voltage.
Caution The system shall only be used in an area of
not more than Pollution Degree 2, as defined in
IEC 60664-1.
Caution The system shall be mounted in an
ATEX/IECEx-certified enclosure with a minimum
ingress protection rating of at least IP54 as defined in
IEC/EN 60079-15.
Caution The enclosure must have a door or cover
accessible only by the use of a tool.
Electromagnetic Compatibility Guidelines
This product was tested and complies with the regulatory
requirements and limits for electromagnetic compatibility (EMC)
stated in the product specifications. These requirements and
limits provide reasonable protection against harmful interference
6 | ni.com | NI 9411 Getting Started Guide

when the product is operated in the intended operational
electromagnetic environment.
This product is intended for use in industrial locations. However,
harmful interference may occur in some installations, when the
product is connected to a peripheral device or test object, or if the
product is used in residential or commercial areas. To minimize
interference with radio and television reception and prevent
unacceptable performance degradation, install and use this
product in strict accordance with the instructions in the product
documentation.
Furthermore, any changes or modifications to the product not
expressly approved by National Instruments could void your
authority to operate it under your local regulatory rules.
Special Conditions for Marine Applications
Some products are Lloyd’s Register (LR) Type Approved for
marine (shipboard) applications. To verify Lloyd’s Register
certification for a product, visit ni.com/certification and search
for the LR certificate, or look for the Lloyd’s Register mark on
the product.
NI 9411 Getting Started Guide | © National Instruments | 7

Caution In order to meet the EMC requirements for
marine applications, install the product in a shielded
enclosure with shielded and/or filtered power and
input/output ports. In addition, take precautions when
designing, selecting, and installing measurement probes
and cables to ensure that the desired EMC performance
is attained.
Preparing the Environment
Ensure that the environment in which you are using the NI 9411
meets the following specifications.
Operating temperature
(IEC 60068-2-1, IEC 60068-2-2)
-40 °C to 70 °C
Operating humidity
(IEC 60068-2-78)
10% RH to 90% RH,
noncondensing
Pollution Degree 2
Maximum altitude 2,000 m
Indoor use only.
Note Refer to the device datasheet on ni.com/manuals
for complete specifications.
8 | ni.com | NI 9411 Getting Started Guide

Connecting the NI 9411
The NI 9411 provides connections for 6 digital input channels.
NI 9411 Getting Started Guide | © National Instruments | 9

Vsup
COM
DI0a
DI1a
DI2a
Supply (+5 Vout)
Supply (+5 Vout)
DI3a
DI4a
DI5a
DI0b
DI1b
DI2b
COM
DI3b
DI4b
DI5b
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
0
1
10 | ni.com | NI 9411 Getting Started Guide

Note You must use 2-wire ferrules to create a secure
connection when connecting more than one wire to a
single terminal on the NI 9411 screw-terminal
connector.
NI 9411 Signals
Table 1. DSUB Connector Signal Descriptions
Signal Description
COM Common reference connection to isolated ground
DIa and DIb Digital input signal connections
Supply (+5 Vout) 5 V power output connection for external devices
Table 2. Screw-Terminal Connector Signal Descriptions
Signal Description
COM Common reference connection to isolated ground
Vsup Voltage supply connection
NI 9411 Getting Started Guide | © National Instruments | 11

Connecting an External Power Supply to the
NI 9411
You can connect an external power supply to the NI 9411. The
external power supply provides power for external devices
through the NI 9411 +5 Vout terminal. Connecting an external
power supply to the NI 9411 is optional, depending on your
application.
Figure 2. Connecting an External Power Supply
COM
Vsup COM
NI 9411
Receiver
Circuitry
DIa
DIb
+5 V
Reg
–+
+5 Vout
External
Power Supply
12 | ni.com | NI 9411 Getting Started Guide

Connecting a Differential Device to the NI 9411
You can connect differential devices to the NI 9411.
Figure 3. Connecting a Differential Device to the NI 9411
–+
External
Power Supply
COM
Vsup
COM
NI 9411
+
–
DIa
+5 Vout
DIb
Differential
Device
+5 V
Reg
Receiver
Circuitry
+5 V
GND
The NI 9411 compares the difference between DIa and DIb to the
digital logic levels to determine if the signal is in the high range
or low range.
Tip Refer to the device datasheet at ni.com/manuals
for the digital logic levels.
NI 9411 Getting Started Guide | © National Instruments | 13

Connecting a Single-Ended Device to the
NI 9411
You can connect single-ended (TTL) devices to the NI 9411.
Figure 4. Connecting a Single-Ended Device to the NI 9411
–+
External
Power Supply
COM
Vsup COM
NI 9411
Receiver
Circuitry
out
Single-Ended
Device
DIa
DIb
+5 V
Reg
+5 Vout
GND
+5 V
The NI 9411 compares the difference between DIa and COM to
the digital logic levels to determine if the signal is in the high
range or low range.
14 | ni.com | NI 9411 Getting Started Guide

Tip Refer to the device datasheet at ni.com/manuals
for the digital logic levels.
Connecting an Encoder to the NI 9411
An encoder has phase A, phase B, and index signals. Use the
phase A signals to measure rotational speed. Use the phase B
signals to measure direction. Use the index signals to measure the
number of rotations. You can connect differential and singleended encoders to the NI 9411.
NI 9411 Getting Started Guide | © National Instruments | 15

Figure 5. Connecting a Differential Encoder to the NI 9411
–+
External
Power Supply
A+
B+
+5 V
GND
Differential
Encoder
DI0a
DI0b
COM
NI 9411
A–
B–
Index+
Index–
DI1a
DI1b
DI2a
DI2b
Vsup
COM
+5 Vout
+5 V
Reg
Receiver
Circuitry
Receiver
Circuitry
Receiver
Circuitry
16 | ni.com | NI 9411 Getting Started Guide

Figure 6. Connecting a Single-Ended Encoder to the NI 9411
–+
External
Power Supply
A
B
Index
+5 V
GND
Single-Ended
Encoder
Vsup
COM
NI 9411
+5 V
Reg
DI0a
DI0b
+5 Vout
COM
DI1a
DI1b
DI2a
DI2b
Receiver
Circuitry
Receiver
Circuitry
Receiver
Circuitry
I/O Protection
The NI 9411 provides I/O protection for each channel.
NI 9411 Getting Started Guide | © National Instruments | 17

Note Refer to the device datasheet on ni.com/manuals
for more information about I/O protection.
High-Vibration Application Connections
If your application is subject to high vibration, NI recommends
that you follow these guidelines to protect connections to the
NI 9411:
• Use ferrules to terminate wires to the detachable connector.
• Use the NI 9948 backshell kit.
18 | ni.com | NI 9411 Getting Started Guide

Located at ni.com/manuals Installs with the software
CompactRIO
NI CompactDAQ
RELATED INFORMATION
NI 9411 Datasheet
NI-RIO Help
LabVIEW FPGA Help
NI 9411 Datasheet
NI-DAQmx Help
LabVIEW Help
C Series Documentation
& Resources
ni.com/info cseriesdoc
Services
ni.com/services
NI 9411 Getting Started Guide | © National Instruments | 19

Worldwide Support and Services
The NI website is your complete resource for technical support.
At ni.com/support, you have access to everything from
troubleshooting and application development self-help resources
to email and phone assistance from NI Application Engineers.
Visit ni.com/services for NI Factory Installation Services, repairs,
extended warranty, and other services.
Visit ni.com/register to register your NI product. Product
registration facilitates technical support and ensures that you
receive important information updates from NI.
A Declaration of Conformity (DoC) is our claim of compliance
with the Council of the European Communities using the
manufacturer’s declaration of conformity. This system affords the
user protection for electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) and
product safety. You can obtain the DoC for your product by
visiting ni.com/certification. If your product supports calibration,
you can obtain the calibration certificate for your product at
ni.com/calibration.
20 | ni.com | NI 9411 Getting Started Guide

NI corporate headquarters is located at
11500 North Mopac Expressway, Austin, Texas, 78759-3504. NI
also has offices located around the world. For telephone support
in the United States, create your service request at ni.com/support
or dial 1 866 ASK MYNI (275 6964). For telephone support
outside the United States, visit the Worldwide Offices section of
ni.com/niglobal to access the branch office websites, which
provide up-to-date contact information, support phone numbers,
email addresses, and current events.
NI 9411 Getting Started Guide | © National Instruments | 21

Refer to the NI Trademarks and Logo Guidelines at ni.com/trademarks for information on NI
trademarks. Other product and company names mentioned herein are trademarks or trade names
of their respective companies. For patents covering NI products/technology, refer to the
appropriate location: Help»Patents in your software, the patents.txt file on your media, or the
National Instruments Patent Notice at ni.com/patents. You can find information about end-user
license agreements (EULAs) and third-party legal notices in the readme file for your NI product.
Refer to the Export Compliance Information at ni.com/legal/export-compliance for the NI
global trade compliance policy and how to obtain relevant HTS codes, ECCNs, and other import/
export data. NI MAKES NO EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES AS TO THE ACCURACY OF
THE INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN AND SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY ERRORS.
U.S. Government Customers: The data contained in this manual was developed at private
expense and is subject to the applicable limited rights and restricted data rights as set forth in FAR
52.227-14, DFAR 252.227-7014, and DFAR 252.227-7015.
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373506F-01 Dec15