PXIe-4151 Operating Guidelines

Refer to the following sections for information about PXIe-4151 features and guidelines for operating the PXIe-4151.

Sourcing and Sinking
The terms sourcing and sinking describe power flow into and out of a device, respectively. The PXIe-4151 is capable of only sourcing power and not sinking power.
Output Impedance
NI power supplies and SMUs include output amplifiers that drive their outputs through series resistors. The resistors enable the measurement and control of output current. The value of the resistor is larger for low-current ranges and smaller for high-current ranges.
Protection
The output channels and the auxiliary power input of the PXIe-4151 are protected against overcurrent, overvoltage, inverse voltage, and over-temperature conditions.
INHIBIT Pin
The INHIBIT input pin forces the PXIe-4151 output to an inhibited state if not shorted to ground. This inhibited state forces the PXIe-4151 to source 0 V, with a current limit of 1% of the configured device current range.
Load Regulation
Load regulation is a measure of the ability of an output channel to remain constant given changes in the load.
Ranges
Programmable power supplies use one or more ranges for voltage and current input, as well as one or more ranges for voltage and current measurement.
Noise
Noise is unwanted signals present on the output channels that can affect devices connected to the output channels.
Power Measurements
Each channel of the PXIe-4151 has two synchronized ADCs that measure voltage and current. You can use NI-DCPower to measure power flowing to or from the PXIe-4151.
Resistance Measurements
NI power supplies and SMUs can make resistance measurements because they can both generate and measure test voltages and currents. Because they can operate as precision current sources at high current levels, these devices are well suited to measure low resistance values.
Sourcing and Measuring Terminology
Refer to the following terms when learning more about the features and usage of the PXIe-4151:

PXIe-4151 User Manual

PXIe, 1-Channel, 300 W, 20 V, 25 A, PXI Programmable Power Supply

PXIe-4151 Operating Guidelines