Maximum Current Output of My NI Analog Output Card

Issue Details

I have a NI Multifunction I/O module with some Analog Output (AO) lines. I need to control an instrument using current. What is the current range the AO lines on my card?

Solution

Check the Specification document or User Manual   for your device to determine what the output current range is by looking at the Analog Output specifications.

e.g. the NI PXIe-6363 is capable of driving ± 5 mA from any analog output channel. On the ± 10 V range, this means that the lowest total impedance that can be driven at full scale is determined from the highest power output, or largest current & voltage:

10V = 2kΩ
5mA

Taking into account the output impedance of the PXIe-6363, the lowest connected impedance that can be driven at full scale is the difference of the minimum load and the output impedance:

2kΩ-0.2Ω= 1999.8Ω

Additional information can be found in the Output Current Drive section.

Additional Information

If you need a greater current output range, there are Current Output modules  in the C-Series form factor with greater ranges (0-20 mA) available.