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Power accessories provide NI hardware with a safe, stable, and continuous source of electricity. They range from hardware-specific external power supplies to replacement power cables for many common NI products.
NI power accessories ensure safe, continuous operation of NI hardware.
We offer a variety of cables, connector blocks, terminal blocks, power supplies, and other accessories to help you connect signals between your device under test and your NI hardware. Our cable and accessory guides can help you determine the right accessory for popular products.
When designing a CompactDAQ or CompactRIO system, a major consideration is the system’s power source. This guide examines the different types of power supplies you can use to power your CompactDAQ or CompactRIO system, including ways to provide redundancy.
When setting up a test system, engineers need to plan for both the amount and quality of power required to ensure accurate, reliable operation. A key first step is calculating total power demand across the entire system, including the device under test (DUT), power supplies, backplanes, and I/O or measurement modules, commonly referred to as a “power budget.”
Power quality is another critical consideration. Electrical noise on power rails, such as ripple, differential-mode noise, or common‑mode noise with respect to ground, can directly affect measurement accuracy and system stability, especially in precision test applications. Engineers need to understand these characteristics and choose supplies and filtering approaches that minimize interference with sensitive electronics. Engineers should also consider how well a power supply handles load transients; sudden current changes from the DUT or instruments should not cause voltage drops or overshoot that could disrupt tests or damage equipment.
Thermal and efficiency factors matter as well. Inefficient power supplies generate more heat, which can impact neighboring instruments and may require additional cooling or rack space. Finally, system architecture decisions, such as whether to use centralized or distributed power, or whether linear or switching supplies are more appropriate, should align with performance requirements, available space, and long‑term scalability. By accounting for load capacity, noise performance, transient behavior, and thermal management early in the design process, engineers can build test systems that are robust, accurate, and easier to expand over time. For more information, download one of our guides for building a test system.
NI power supplies often include multiple built‑in safeguards designed to protect both the instrument and the device under test, including protection against over‑current, over‑voltage, inverse voltage, and over‑temperature conditions. These integrated safety features help ensure reliable operation, prevent damage during fault scenarios, and support stable performance across a range of automated test applications.
NI power accessories are designed to deliver safe, continuous, and stable power tailored for NI hardware. These accessories include hardware‑specific external power supplies and replacement power cables engineered to meet the electrical and operational requirements of NI devices, helping maintain consistent system performance and avoiding power‑related faults.
NI power accessories help simplify integration and connectivity across NI and third‑party hardware. They enable systems to be safely powered and cleanly connected as part of a complete measurement environment, which reduces setup time and minimizes configuration errors. This broad compatibility supports both lab and industrial test environments where reliable interfacing is essential.
Many NI industrial power supplies offer wide operating temperature ranges, compact size, and large power reserves, making them well‑suited for demanding embedded and distributed systems such as CompactRIO, CompactDAQ, and industrial controllers. Their ruggedness and reliability help reduce downtime and help ensure stable operation even in harsh conditions.
NI accessories contribute to system safety and protection. By using official NI power components, users reduce the risk of electrical incompatibilities, improve overall system robustness, and ensure supportability within the NI service ecosystem.
