Why does my 651x Shut Down When Outputting Over Maximum Current?

Updated Feb 25, 2025

Reported In

Hardware

  • PXI-6514
  • PXI-6513
  • PCI-6519
  • PXI-6512
  • PCI-6512
  • PCI-6513
  • PCI-6514
  • PCI-6515
  • PXI-6515
  • PCI-6517
  • PCI-6518
  • PCI-6516

Issue Details

I recently received a new 651x device and now, when I try to output at a current level higher than specified, the device shuts down.  With my old 651x, I was able to output a current slightly higher than specified.  What changed and why can’t I do this anymore?

Solution

With Revision C of the 651x series of DIO boards, an over-current protection circuit has been added to protect the board from over-current situations.  This circuit contains a self-reseting fuse to prevent catastrophic over-current situations that could result in device damage or fire.

This fuse’s performance is related to temperature. A higher ambient temperature around the fuse will reduce the current necessary to trip the fuse.  As such, a revised set of maximum current specifications have been released for the PCI- and PXI-651x series of DIO devices. 

These worst-case specifications were determined by testing with all input channels turned on and the output channels at max voltage with a 100% duty cycle.