National Instruments SCXI, SCXI-1000, SCXI-1000DC, SCXI-1001 Quick Start Manual

SCXI Quick Start Guide

Signal Conditioning eXtensions for Instrumentation

This document contains English, French, and German language instructions. For Japanese,
Korean, and Simplified Chinese language instructions, refer to the other document in your kit.

Ce document contient des instructions en anglais, français et allemand. Pour les consulter en
japonais, coréen et chinois simplifié, reportez-vous à l’autre document dans votre kit.

Dieses Dokument enthält Anleitungen auf Englisch, Französisch und Deutsch. Anleitungen auf
Japanisch, Koreanisch und in vereinfachtem Chinesisch finden Sie in dem anderen Dokument in
diesem Kit.

This document explains how to install and configure SCXI signal conditioning modules in
SCXI-1000, SCXI-1001, SCXI-1000DC, or PXI/SCXI combination chassis, confirm the
module and chassis are operating properly, and set up multichassis systems. It also describes the
NI-DAQmx software relative to SCXI and integrated signal conditioning products. This
document assumes you have already installed, configured, and tested your NI application and
driver software, and the data acquisition (DAQ) device to which you will connect the SCXI
module. If you have not, refer to the DAQ Getting Started guides included with the DAQ device
and available on the NI-DAQ software media and from

ni.com/manuals, before continuing.

For instructions on configuring Traditional NI-DAQ (Legacy), refer to the Traditional NI-DAQ
(Legacy) Readme after you have installed the software. Refer to the NI Switches Getting Started
Guide, available at

ni.com/manuals, for switch information.

Step 1. Unpack the Chassis, Module, and Accessories

Remove the chassis, module, and accessory from the packaging and inspect the products for
loose components or any sign of damage. Notify NI if the products appear damaged in any way.
Do not install a damaged device.

For safety and compliance information, refer to the device documentation packaged with your

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device, at

ni.com/manuals, or the NI-DAQmx media that contains device documentation.

The following symbols may be on your device.

This icon denotes a caution, which advises you of precautions to take to avoid
injury, data loss, or a system crash. When this symbol is marked on a product, refer
to the Read Me First: Safety and Electromagnetic Compatibility document, shipped
with the device, for precautions to take.

When this symbol is marked on a product, it denotes a warning advising you to take
precautions to avoid electrical shock.

When this symbol is marked on a product, it denotes a component that may be hot.
Touching this component may result in bodily injury.

Step 2. Verify the Components

Make sure you have the specific combination of the SCXI system components, shown in
Figures 1 and 2, needed for your application along with the following items:

• NI-DAQ 7.x or later software and documentation

• NI LabVIEW, NI LabWindows
Studio, Visual C++, or Visual Basic

• SCXI product manuals

• 1/8 in. flathead screwdriver

• Numbers 1 and 2 Phillips screwdrivers

• Wire insulation strippers

• Long nose pliers

™

/CVI™, NI LabVIEW SignalExpress, NI Measurement

1 Terminal Block or TBX Accessories (Optional)
2 PXI Module
3 SCXI Modules

4 PXI/SCXI Combination Chassis with Controller
5 SCXI Chassis
6 Chassis Power Cord

Figure 1. SCXI System Components

SCXI Quick Start Guide 2 ni.com

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1

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1 Chassis Cord and Adapter Assembly
2 DAQ Device

Figure 2. For SCXI Chassis Only

3 USB Cable
4 SCXI USB Device

Step 3. Set Up the Chassis

Caution Refer to the Read Me First: Safety and Electromagnetic Compatibility

document packaged with your chassis before removing equipment covers or
connecting or disconnecting any signal wires. Follow proper ESD precautions to
ensure you are grounded before installing the hardware.

You can test NI-DAQmx applications without installing hardware by using an NI-DAQmx
simulated device. For instructions on creating NI-DAQmx simulated devices, in Measurement
& Automation Explorer, select Help»Help Topics»NI-DAQmx»MAX Help.

Refer to the Windows Device Recognition section after installing a DAQ device or an SCXI
USB device.

SCXI Chassis

1. Power off and unplug the chassis.

2. Set the chassis address if your chassis is addressable. Some older chassis are not
addressable.

• If the chassis has address switches, you can set the chassis to a desired address. When

configuring the chassis in MAX in Step 12, make sure the software address settings
match the hardware address settings. All switches are shown in the off position, the
default setting, in Figure 3.

• Some older chassis use jumpers inside the front panel instead of chassis address

switches. Older chassis also differ in fuses and AC power selection. Refer to the
chassis documentation for more information.

3. Confirm the correct power settings (100, 120, 220, or 240 VAC).

4. Connect the power cord.

© National Instruments Corporation 3 SCXI Quick Start Guide

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1 Front
2Back

3 Chassis Power Switch
4 Chassis Address Switch

5 Voltage Selection Tumbler
6 Power Cord Connector

Figure 3. SCXI Chassis Setup

PXI/SCXI Combination Chassis

You must have a system controller installed in the PXI side of the chassis. Refer to ni.com/

and type rdfis5 to order a configured PXI/SCXI combination chassis.

info

1. Power off both the PXI and SCXI power switches, and unplug the chassis.

2. Set the SCXI chassis address switch positions to the desired address. In Figure 4, all
switches are shown in the off position.

3. Set the voltage selection tumbler to the correct voltage for your application. Refer to the
chassis documentation for more information.

4. Connect the power cord.

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120V

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ADDRESS

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SCXI

1 Front
2Back
3 Voltage Selection Tumbler

4 Power Cord Connector
5 Address Switch
6 SCXI Power Switch

7 PXI Power Switch
8 System Controller

Figure 4. PXI/SCXI Combination Chassis Setup

SCXI Quick Start Guide 4 ni.com

Step 4. Install the Modules

Caution Make sure the chassis is completely powered off. SCXI modules are not

hot-swappable. Adding or removing modules while the chassis is powered on can
result in blown chassis fuses or damage to the chassis and modules.

PXI/SCXI Combination Chassis

To install the PXI DAQ communicating device in the right-most slot of the PXI chassis,
complete the following steps:

1. Touch any metal part of the chassis to discharge static electricity.

2. Place the module edges into the top and bottom PXI module guides, as shown in Figure 5.

3. Slide the module to the rear of the chassis. Ensure that the injector/ejector handle is pushed
down.

4. When you begin to feel resistance, pull up on the injector/ejector handle to inject the
module.

5. Secure the module to the chassis front panel mounting rail using the two screws.

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2

1 PXI DAQ Module 2 Injector/Ejector Handle 3 Injector/Ejector Rail

Figure 5. Installing the PXI Module in a New Chassis

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1. Touch any metal part of the chassis to discharge static electricity.

2. Insert the module into the SCXI slot.

3. Secure the module to the chassis front panel mounting rail using the two thumbscrews.

1 Thumbscrews 2 Module

Figure 6. Installing the SCXI Module in a New Chassis

SCXI USB Modules

SCXI USB modules are plug-and-play, integrated signal conditioning modules that
communicate between an SCXI system and a USB-compatible computer or USB hub, so no
intermediate DAQ device is needed. SCXI USB modules, such as the SCXI-1600, cannot be
used in a PXI/SCXI combination chassis or in multichassis systems. After you install the module
in the chassis, complete these steps:

1. Connect the USB cable from the computer port or from any other USB hub to the USB port
on the SCXI USB module.

2. Attach the cable to the strain relief using a cable tie.

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2USB Hub

3USB Cable
4 SCXI USB Device

Figure 7. Installing an SCXI USB Module

SCXI Quick Start Guide 6 ni.com

Add a Module to an Existing SCXI System

You also can add a module to an existing SCXI system in multiplexed mode. If your system
already has a controller established, install additional SCXI modules in any available chassis
slots. Refer to Step 7. Install the Cable Adapter to determine which module to connect to the
cable adapter, if applicable.

4

BAUD

ADDRESS

3 SCXI Chassis
4 Existing DAQ Device

1 New SCXI Module
2 Existing SCXI Module

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Figure 8. Installing the SCXI Module in an Existing System

Step 5. Attach Sensors and Signal Lines

Attach sensors and signal lines to the terminal block, accessory, or module terminals for each
installed device. The following table lists device terminal/pinout locations.

Location How to Access Pinout

MAX Right-click the device name under Devices and Interfaces, and select Device

Pinouts.

Right-click the device name under Devices and Interfaces, and select Help»Online
Device Documentation. A browser window opens to

results of a search for relevant device documents.

DAQ Assistant Select the task or virtual channel, and click the Connection Diagram tab. Select

each virtual channel in the task.

NI-DAQmx Help Select Start»All Programs»National Instruments»NI-DAQ»NI-DAQmx Help.

ni.com/

Refer to the device documentation.

manuals

ni.com/manuals with the

For information about sensors, refer to ni.com/sensors. For information about IEEE 1451.4
TEDS smart sensors, refer to

© National Instruments Corporation 7 SCXI Quick Start Guide

ni.com/teds.