Stacking Voltages or Current with NI Hardware

Issue Details

Solution

If your NI device has channel to channel isolation, it is possible to stack channels to achieve higher current and voltage outputs.

By stacking channels in series, voltage output can be multiplied. Each channel added to a stack will multiply the per-channel maximum further. In the photo above, the per channel limit is ±16 V. Each channel added to the series connection will add ±16 V to your total output. 

By stacking channels in parallel, current output can be compounded. In the photo above, the per channel limit is ±20 mA. Each channel added to the parallel connection will add ±20 mA to your total output. 

Additional Information

• If this is attempted on a device without channel to channel isolation, the device will be damaged. Please consult the datasheet for your device to ensure the type of isolation.
• To get the stacked voltage on the Load, you will need to set each channel being stacked to a portion of that total voltage. For example, in the figure the load needs a total of 32 volts, so channel 0 and channel 1 needs to be set to output 16 volts each.