National Instruments PXI-4110 User manual

January 2007
371638C-01
GETTING STARTED GUIDE
NI DC Power Supplies
This document explains how to install, configure, and test an NI PXI-4110
DC power supply. For detailed information about the features and
programming options specific to the power supply, refer to the
NI DC Power Supplies Help at Start»All Programs»National
Instruments»NI-DCPower»Documentation.
Refer to the specifications document included with the power supply for
additional safety and EMC information. Current specifications are available
at ni.com/manuals. Visit ni.com/idnet for the latest version of
NI-DCPower instrument driver software.
Contents
Conventions ...............................................................................................2
1. Verifying the System Requirements ......................................................3
2. Unpacking ..............................................................................................3
3. Verifying the Kit Contents.....................................................................4
Optional Item .....................................................................................4
4. Installing the Software ...........................................................................4
Choosing and Installing Your ADE...................................................4
Installing NI-DCPower ......................................................................5
5. Installing the Hardware..........................................................................5
Uninstalling the NI PXI-4110............................................................6
6. Configuring and Testing in MAX..........................................................7
7. Connecting Signals ................................................................................8
Connecting Auxiliary Power .............................................................11
8. Programming the NI PXI-4110..............................................................12
NI-DCPower Test Panel ....................................................................12
NI-DCPower Instrument Driver ........................................................12
NI-DCPower Examples .....................................................................12
Troubleshooting .........................................................................................12
Where to Go for Support ...........................................................................13

NI DC Power Supplies Getting Started Guide 2 ni.com
Conventions
The following conventions are used in this guide:
<> Angle brackets that contain numbers separated by
an ellipsis represent a range of values associated
with a bit or signal name—for example, AO <3..0>.
»The »symbol leads you through nested menu items
and dialog box options to a final action. The
sequence File»Page Setup»Options directs you to
pull down the File menu, select the Page Setup
item, and select Options from the last dialog box.
This icon denotes a note, which alerts you to
important information.
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 the
product, refer to the Read Me First: Safety and
Radio-Frequency Interference document that
shipped with your device for precautions to take.
When symbol is marked on a product, it denotes a
component that may be hot. Touching this
component may result in bodily injury.
bold Bold text denotes items that you must select or click
in the software, such as menu items and dialog box
options. Bold text also denotes parameter names.
italic Italic text denotes variables, emphasis, or a
cross-reference. Italic text also denotes text that
is a placeholder for a word or value that you must
supply.
monospace Text in this font denotes text or characters that you
should enter from the keyboard, sections of code,
programming examples, and syntax examples. This
font is also used for the proper names of disk drives,
paths, directories, programs, subprograms,
subroutines, device names, functions, operations,
variables, filenames, and extensions.
Platform Text in this font denotes a specific platform and
indicates that the text following it applies only to
that platform.

© National Instruments Corporation 3 NI DC Power Supplies Getting Started Guide
PCI Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) is a
high-performance expansion bus architecture
originally developed by Intel to replace ISA
and EISA.
PXI PCI eXtensions for Instrumentation (PXI) is a
rugged, open system for modular instrumentation
based on CompactPCI, with special mechanical,
electrical, and software features.
1. Verifying the System Requirements
Your system must meet certain requirements to use NI DC power supplies
with NI-DCPower. For more information on minimum system,
recommended system, and supported application development environments
(ADEs), refer to the NI-DCPower Readme, which is available on the
NI-DCPower CD.
Note After you install NI-DCPower, you can access the
NI-DCPower Readme at Start»All Programs»National
Instruments»NI-DCPower»Documentation.
2. Unpacking
The NI DC power supply ships in an antistatic package to prevent
electrostatic discharge (ESD). ESD can damage several components on the
device.
Caution Never touch the exposed pins of connectors.
To avoid ESD damage in handling the device, take the following precautions:
• Ground yourself with a grounding strap or by touching a grounded
object.
• Touch the antistatic package to a metal part of your computer chassis
before removing the device from the package.
Remove the device from the package and inspect it for loose components or
any other signs of damage. Notify NI if the device appears damaged in any
way. Do not install a damaged device in your computer or chassis.
Store the device in the antistatic package when the device is not in use.

NI DC Power Supplies Getting Started Guide 4 ni.com
3. Verifying the Kit Contents
To set up and use the NI PXI-4110, you need the following items, which are
contained in the shipping kit:
❑NI PXI-4110 hardware module
❑6-position, 3.81 mm MINI-COMBICON connector with backshell for
connecting to output channels
❑2-position, 3.5 mm MINI-COMBICON connector with backshell for
connecting an auxiliary power source
❑NI-DCPower instrument driver DVD-sized case, which contains
following items:
• NI-DCPower software CD, which installs the driver, the
NI DC Power Supplies Help, and the NI-DCPower Readme
•NI DC Power Supplies Getting Started Guide
❑Other printed documents included in the kit:
•NI PXI-4110 Specifications
• Read Me First: Safety and Radio-Frequency Interference
• Maintain Forced-Air Cooling Note to Users
❑1/8 in. flathead screwdriver
Optional Item
If you choose to connect the NI PXI-4110 to an auxiliary power source,
you must either purchase an NI APS-4100 auxiliary power source from
NI (p/n 779671A-01) or use an auxiliary power source from a third-party
vendor.
4. Installing the Software
This section describes the software installation process for the NI DC power
supply.
Choosing and Installing Your ADE
Install an ADE, such as LabVIEW or LabWindows™/CVI™, if you are
developing an application for the NI DC power supply. Always install
or upgrade your application software before installing the instrument driver.

© National Instruments Corporation 5 NI DC Power Supplies Getting Started Guide
Installing NI-DCPower
NI-DCPower features a set of operations and attributes you can use to
programmatically configure and control the NI DC power supply. Install
or upgrade NI-DCPower before installing new hardware so Windows can
detect your device. To install NI-DCPower, complete the following steps:
1. Insert the NI-DCPower CD. The NI-DCPower installer should open
automatically. If not, select Start»Run, and enter x:\setup.exe,
where xis the letter of the CD drive.
2. Follow the instructions in the installation prompts. For troubleshooting
and operating system-specific instructions, refer to the Hardware
Installation/Configuration Troubleshooter at ni.com/support/
install.
Windows Vista Users may see access and security messages during
installation. Accept the prompts to complete the installation.
3. When the installer completes, a dialog box appears that asks if you want
to restart, shut down, or restart later. Select Restart.
4. If you are using a system running the LabVIEW Real-Time Module,
download NI-DCPower to the target using MAX. Refer to the
Measurement & Automation Explorer Remote Systems Help by selecting
Help»Help Topics»Remote Systems in MAX.
Note If you install NI application software after installing
NI-DCPower, you must run the NI-DCPower installer again to
install the correct application software support.
5. Installing the Hardware
Note Make sure you install the software before you install the
hardware.
Caution To prevent damage due to ESD or contamination, handle
the NI PXI-4110 using the metal bracket or edges. Refer to the Read
Me First: Safety and Radio-Frequency Interference document for
more information.

NI DC Power Supplies Getting Started Guide 6 ni.com
To install the NI PXI-4110 , refer to Figure 1 and complete the following steps.
Figure 1. PXI Installation
Caution Make sure the PXI chassis is powered off before installing
the module. NI PXI-4110 modules are not hot-swappable. Adding
or removing the NI PXI-4110 while the chassis is powered on can
result in blown chassis fuses or damage to the chassis and module.
1. Power off and unplug the PXI chassis.
2. Slide the NI PXI-4110 into an available slot until the ejector handle locks
in the up position.
3. Tighten the captive screws.
4. Plug in and power on the PXI chassis.
Uninstalling the NI PXI-4110
Caution The NI PXI-4110 may become hot during operation. Hold
the NI PXI-4110 by the ejector handle and front panel only when
removing the module from the chassis or when moving the module
to a different peripheral slot.
1 PXI Chassis 2 NI PXI-4110 3 Captive Screws 4 Ejector Handle
NI PXI-1042
1
3
4
2
3

© National Instruments Corporation 7 NI DC Power Supplies Getting Started Guide
When removing the NI PXI-4110 from the chassis, make sure that you are
grounded with a grounding strap or are touching a grounded metal surface.
To avoid ESD, do not touch the exposed connector pins or any exposed
circuitry on the module. When not in use, store the NI PXI-4110 in its
antistatic envelope to avoid damage.
6. Configuring and Testing in MAX
To configure and test the NI PXI-4110 in Measurement & Automation
Explorer (MAX), complete the following steps:
1. Launch MAX (Start»All Programs»National Instruments»
Measurement & Automation). MAX automatically detects the
NI PXI-4110 you installed.
2. Expand Devices and Interfaces.
3. Verify that the NI PXI-4110 appears in the NI-DAQmx folder under
Devices and Interfaces.
Note If the NI PXI-4110 does not appear, press <F5> to refresh the
view in MAX. If the NI PXI-4110 still does not appear, repeat the
steps in the 5. Installing the Hardware section. Refer to
NI Technical Support at ni.com/support for troubleshooting
information if the module is still not recognized. For more
information about using MAX, refer to the available help files
within MAX.
4. Record the device name assigned to the NI PXI-4110. You need this
name for programming the NI PXI-4110.
The assigned device name is appended to the module in its configuration
tree label. For example, after you install the NI PXI-4110, the device
configuration tree label may appear as NI PXI-4110: “Dev1”, where
Dev1 is the device name that MAX assigned to the module. When you
develop your application, the resource name for the NI PXI-4110 is this
device name. To change the device name, do one of the following:
• Right-click the device you want to rename. Select Rename.
• Select the device you want to rename. Press <F2>.
5. Close MAX.
Note To run a functional test panel of the NI PXI-4110, right-click
the device in the MAX configuration tree and select Test Panels, or
select Tools»Soft Front Panels»NI-DCPower Test Panel in MAX.

NI DC Power Supplies Getting Started Guide 8 ni.com
7. Connecting Signals
Caution Refer to the NI PXI-4110 Specifications at Start»
All Programs»National Instruments»NI-DCPower»
Documentation before connecting signals. Failure to observe the
specified maximum signal ratings can cause shock, a fire hazard, or
damage to the devices connected to the NI PXI-4110. NI is not
liable for any damage or injuries resulting from incorrect signal
connections.
The NI PXI-4110 has two connectors on the front panel—the output
connector and the auxiliary power input connector. Use the output connector
to access the output channels, and the auxiliary power input connector to
access the auxiliary power input. Refer to Figure 2 and Table 1 for the
NI PXI-4110 front panel terminals and their descriptions.

© National Instruments Corporation 9 NI DC Power Supplies Getting Started Guide
Figure 2. NI PXI-4110 Front Panel
T 6,3A L 250V
5-20 mm
11-15.5
VDC
5A MAX
AUX POWER INPUT
OUTPUTS
1A MAX
–20
+6
+20
2
0
1
VDC
MAX
OUTPUT
NI PXI-4110
Programmable
DC Power Supply
B
D
F
G
H
I
J
L
M
K
E
C
A

NI DC Power Supplies Getting Started Guide 10 ni.com
Table 1. NI PXI-4110 Front Panel Connections
Label Item Description
AOutput Connector, Terminal 0 Channel 0 (0 V to +6 V)
BOutput Connector, Terminal 1 GND
COutput Connector, Terminal 2 Channel 1 (0 V to +20 V)
DOutput Connector, Terminal 3 Common Floating GND
EOutput Connector, Terminal 4 Common Floating GND
FOutput Connector, Terminal 5 Channel 2 (0 V to –20 V)
GAuxiliary Power Input Connector,
Terminal 0
Auxiliary power input
(+11 V to +15.5 V)
HAuxiliary Power Input Connector,
Terminal 1
GND
IAuxiliary Power Input Fuse Holder —
JAuxiliary Power Input Status
Indicator
LED
KChannel 2 Status Indicator LED
LChannel 1 Status Indicator LED
MChannel 0 Status Indicator LED

© National Instruments Corporation 11 NI DC Power Supplies Getting Started Guide
Connecting Auxiliary Power
To gain full output power of the two isolated channels (0 V to +20 V and
0 V to –20 V) on the NI PXI-4110, you must connect an auxiliary power
source to the auxiliary power input connector of the NI PXI-4110, as
illustrated in Figure 3.
Caution For internal and auxiliary power ratings, refer to the
NI PXI-4110 Specifications at Start»All Programs»
National Instruments»NI-DCPower»Documentation.
Figure 3. Connecting an Auxiliary Power Source to the NI PXI-4110
Without an auxiliary power source, the internal power supply on the
PXI chassis outputs the full voltage range but only a limited current range.
Note Connecting an auxiliary power source does not affect the
0 V to 6 V channel.
NI-DCPower automatically uses the auxiliary power source if it is available
when the session is opened. To override this feature, use the Power Source
property.
To ensure that the auxiliary power source can provide at least 5 A without
dropping below 11 V at the auxiliary power input connector, you must use the
appropriate wire gauge. Refer to the NI DC Power Supplies Help for more
information.
For more information about using an auxiliary power source with
the NI PXI-4110, refer to the Internal and Auxiliary Power topic in
the NI DC Power Supplies Help at Start»All Programs»
National Instruments»NI-DCPower»Documentation.
1 Auxiliary Power Source
+
1
–

NI DC Power Supplies Getting Started Guide 12 ni.com
8. Programming the NI PXI-4110
You can program the NI PXI-4110 with the NI-DCPower Test Panel or the
NI-DCPower instrument driver. The NI-DCPower examples demonstrate the
functionality of the NI PXI-4110.
NI-DCPower Test Panel
Use the NI-DCPower Test Panel to test the basic functionality of the power
supply and to become familiar with its operation. You can launch the
NI-DCPower Test Panel from Start»All Programs»National Instruments»
NI-DCPower»NI-DCPower Test Panel.
NI-DCPower Instrument Driver
The NI-DCPower instrument driver features a set of functions and attributes
that exercise all the functionality of the NI PXI-4110, including
configuration, control, and other device-specific functions.
Refer to the NI DC Power Supplies Help at Start»All Programs»
National Instruments»NI-DCPower»Documentation for information
about using NI-DCPower in your applications.
NI-DCPower Examples
The NI-DCPower examples demonstrate some of the DC power supply
functionality. For the location of example programs that you can integrate
into your applications, refer to the NI-DCPower Readme at Start»
All Programs»National Instruments»NI-DCPower»Documentation.
Troubleshooting
For troubleshooting information, refer to the NI DC Power Supplies Help at
Start»All Programs»National Instruments»NI-DCPower»
Documentation.

© National Instruments Corporation 13 NI DC Power Supplies Getting Started Guide
Where to Go for Support
The National Instruments Web site 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.
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 electronic
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.
National Instruments corporate headquarters is located at
11500 North Mopac Expressway, Austin, Texas, 78759-3504.
National Instruments also has offices located around the world to help
address your support needs. For telephone support in the United States, create
your service request at ni.com/support and follow the calling instructions
or dial 512 795 8248. For telephone support outside the United States,
contact your local branch office:
Australia 1800 300 800, Austria 43 662 457990-0,
Belgium 32 (0) 2 757 0020, Brazil 55 11 3262 3599, Canada 800 433 3488,
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Turkey 90 212 279 3031, United Kingdom 44 (0) 1635 523545

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