NI SCXI-1160

Description

Product Overview

The NI SCXI-1160 is a high-density, high-voltage digital I/O module for the National Instruments SCXI (Signal Conditioning eXtensions for Instrumentation) platform. This module is designed to provide robust, isolated digital input capabilities for monitoring the status of switches, relays, and other digital signals in demanding test and industrial monitoring applications. Unlike a PLC digital input card, the NI SCXI-1160 serves as a signal conditioning and isolation front-end, preparing digital signals for acquisition by a downstream DAQ (Data Acquisition) device. Its primary function is to electrically isolate, condition, and multiplex a large number of high-voltage AC/DC digital inputs into a format suitable for a single DAQ input channel. For detailed technical specifications, wiring diagrams, and configuration guides, please refer to the official product resource: NI SCXI-1160. The NI SCXI-1160 is a key component for building scalable and reliable digital status monitoring systems where electrical noise, ground loops, or high voltage levels are a concern.

Product Parameters and Specifications

• Function: 96-Channel Isolated Digital Input Module (with multiplexing).
• Channels: Provides 96 optically isolated digital input channels, organized into groups.
• Input Voltage Range: Designed for high-voltage inputs, typically supporting ranges such as 5-30 V DC and 20-280 V AC/DC. This makes it suitable for directly monitoring industrial control voltages like 24V DC or 120/240V AC.
• Isolation: Offers channel-to-channel and channel-to-bus isolation (e.g., 1500 Vrms), which is critical for safety and noise immunity when monitoring signals from different electrical systems or high-voltage sources.
• Input Type: Compatible with dry contact closures (switches, relay contacts) or active voltage signals.
• Multiplexing: The 96 channels are multiplexed down to a single digital output that connects to one or two digital input lines on a DAQ card (e.g., a PCI-6527). This allows high channel counts with minimal DAQ card resources.
• Scanning: Features a programmable scanning architecture, allowing users to scan subsets of channels at very high speeds.
• Connection: Uses an SCXI-style front connector for high-density screw terminal blocks (e.g., SCXI-1163RV) for field wiring.
• Platform: Requires an SCXI chassis for power and communication, and a compatible digital I/O DAQ device.

Advantages and Key Features

The NI SCXI-1160 offers distinct advantages for large-scale digital monitoring. Its foremost feature is extremely high channel density with isolation, providing a cost-effective and space-efficient solution for monitoring dozens or hundreds of discrete signals. The high-voltage and wide-range input capability allows direct interface with common industrial control voltages without additional interfacing circuitry. The optical isolation protects sensitive DAQ equipment from voltage transients, eliminates ground loops, and ensures reliable operation in electrically noisy environments. The module’s programmable scanning feature provides flexibility, enabling fast scanning of critical channels while ignoring others. As part of the SCXI ecosystem, the NI SCXI-1160 ensures mechanical and electrical compatibility with chassis and terminal blocks, and is fully supported by NI-DAQmx software, enabling easy configuration and integration into LabVIEW or other measurement systems.

Application Cases in Industry

This module is used in test and monitoring systems that require status logging from a large number of points. In Automotive Manufacturing Test Rigs, the SCXI-1160 monitors the state of hundreds of limit switches, solenoid valves, and pilot lights on a complex assembly fixture. For Aircraft Systems Testing, it can read the status of circuit breaker positions and warning lights. In Industrial Plant Condition Monitoring, it might be used to record the on/off status of pumps, fans, and motor starters across a large facility for energy management or predictive maintenance analysis. It is also employed in Power Distribution monitoring systems to track breaker and contactor status.

Comparison with Competing Products

• vs. Direct-Connect High-Density Digital I/O Cards: A DAQ card with 96 isolated high-voltage inputs would be enormous and expensive. The SCXI-1160 achieves this density through multiplexing, trading off simultaneous sampling for a dramatically lower cost per channel and smaller size.
• vs. PLC Digital Input Modules: PLC modules (e.g., 32-point 120V AC modules) are designed for real-time control with deterministic scan times. The SCXI-1160 is designed for high-channel-count data acquisition and logging, often with higher isolation ratings and wider voltage ranges, but typically interfaced to a PC for data storage and analysis rather than direct control.
• vs. Other Multiplexed Digital Input Systems: Competing systems from Keysight or Dataforth offer similar functionality. The NI SCXI-1160 is distinguished by its tight integration with the NI DAQmx driver and LabVIEW software, the modularity of the SCXI chassis, and its widespread adoption in automated test systems.

Selection Suggestions and Precautions

• Selection Advice:
  1. Signal Voltage Compatibility: Confirm your digital signals (whether dry contact or active) fall within the NI SCXI-1160‘s specified voltage range (e.g., 24V DC, 120V AC). Do not exceed the maximum ratings.
  2. System Architecture: Ensure you have a compatible SCXI chassis and a DAQ device with digital input lines that support the multiplexed output of the SCXI-1160 (e.g., a digital I/O card with handshaking capabilities).
  3. Scanning Speed Requirements: If you need to detect very fast transient states, understand the trade-off of multiplexing. The aggregate scan rate for all channels is limited. Calculate if the module’s scan time meets your application’s needs.
  4. Terminal Block Selection: Choose the appropriate screw terminal accessory module (e.g., SCXI-1163RV) that matches your wire gauge and provides the necessary screw terminals for 96 channels.
• Important Precautions:
  1. Wiring and Safety for High Voltage: When connecting to AC line voltage or high-voltage DC, follow all electrical safety codes. Use proper wire gauges, conduit, and strain relief. The isolation is for the measurement system, but the field wiring terminals still carry dangerous voltages.
  2. Fusing: Implement external fusing for each channel or group of channels, especially when monitoring high-current circuits, to protect the module’s internal components from fault currents.
  3. Wet Contact vs. Dry Contact: For dry contacts (switches), the module may require an external pull-up/pull-down resistor kit. For active voltage signals, ensure the polarity is correct.
  4. Grounding: Follow NI’s guidelines for grounding the SCXI chassis and field wiring shields to maintain the integrity of the isolation and prevent noise.

3HAC14551-2/06A PLC
3HAC14549-3/12A PLC
ABCC-DPV1 PLCDCSIPC
PM510V08 PLC
Notifier CPU2-640 PLC
2711-K5A5 PLC
1FK7042-5AF71-1EG2 PLC
A2H124-24FX PLC
BAUMER 9906356 GBMMW.Z07 PLC