68-Pin VHDCI Cables : DAQ Multifunction I/O Cable Guide

Overview

This guide addresses many common questions for the most popular NI DAQ 68-pin VHDCI cables: the SHC68-68-EPM, SHC68-68, SHC68-C68-EPM, SHC68-C68-S, and RC68-68. NI 68-pin VHDCI cables are primarily used on many of the latest NI DAQ hardware family models, such as NI 63xx (formerly X Series) and NI 62xx (formerly M Series). The cables feature 0.8 mm 68-pin VHDCI connections, with options for unshielded ribbon cables and enhanced performance noise reducing cable assemblies. Whether you are purchasing new, using a replacement cable, or creating a custom fixture, this guide provides pinouts, wire mappings, color codes, wire gauge, connector part info, and grounding or shielding information as a short summary.

Contents

Using the DAQ Cable and Accessory Guides

This guide is intended to cover the most popular VHDCI 0.8 mm 68-pin cables designed for use with NI DAQ devices. It does not cover similar cables for other NI product lines, even if they share the same connectors.

Understanding NI 68-pin VHDCI Cable Terminology

This section provides a brief summary of acronyms and terminology used on these 68-pin VHDCI cables. For more in depth information about other connectors as well as the terminology listed on this page, visit the main DAQ cables guide.

Naming Summary for this Guide

  • SHC - Shielded cable assembly with a VHDCI connector on the device or module end of the cable.
  • RC - Unshielded ribbon cable with a VHDCI connector on the device or module end of the cable.
  • 68-68 - This indicates 68-pin connector found on each end.
  • 68-C68 - This indicates a "compact" VHDCI connector found on the accessory end of the cable.
  • -EPM - NI's latest generation of shielded "Enhanced Performance" cable assembly offering superior noise reduction.
  • -EP - NI's previous generation of shielded "Enhanced Performance" cable assembly offering noise reduction.
  • -S - These cables are designed for switching and motion applications. Only used with DAQ models when specifically recommended.

Shielding and Twisted Pairs

Cable shielding utilizes a thin conductive metallic layer to protect against electromagnetic interference. Twisted pairs provide another level of noise reduction by twisting pairs of differential signals. Click here to learn more about cable shielding and twisted pairs.

Differences and Similarities between 68-pin VHDCI DAQ Cables

NI offers a wide range of cables to work with different DAQ products, serving a variety of needs. While the wire pinout may be the same on most cables, each offers different connectors, shielding, and twisted pairs. 

Use this table to compare different 68-pin VHDCI DAQ cables and follow links to their quick specifications and documentation.
ModelDevice ConnectorAccessory ConnectorShielded?Twisted Pairs?Application Notes
SHC68-68-EPMVHDCISCSIYesYesImproved high performance noise reduction
SHC68-68-EPVHDCISCSIYesYesHigh performance noise reduction, previous generation.
SHC68-68VHDCISCSIYesYesCost effective, basic shielding, some noise reduction.
SHC68-68-A2VHDCISCSIYesYesFor use with the PXIe-6738 and PXIe-6739.
SHC68-C68-EPMVHDCIVHDCIYesYesFor custom breakout fixtures with a VHDCI connector.
SHC68-C68-SVHDCIVHDCIYesYesFor custom breakout fixtures with a VHDCI connector.
RC68-68VHDCISCSINoNoLow-cost, no noise reduction.

 

Quick Specifications and Documentation

This section contains a summary of information frequently sought when installing or customizing 68-pin VHDCI DAQ cables. More detailed information can be found in the linked additional resources below. Dimensional drawings can be downloaded for free and are available in 2D and 3D formats; they contain size measurements, part numbers, wire mappings and other helpful information. They are available in several popular formats, such as PDF, AutoCAD (.dxf, and .igs (IGES)), STEP (.stp), and .prt (Pro/E).

SHC68-68-EPM Quick Specifications and Documentation

High Performance, Noise Reducing MIO Cable. For most MIO VHDCI connections, NI recommends that you use the SHC68-68-EPM cable; however, a SHC68-68-EP cable will work as a substitute for compatible devices. The SHC68-68-EPM cable is a newer design featuring additional shielding and specific cable pairings to improve noise performance.

Device or Module Side Cable Pinout

68-pin .8 mm VHDCI Male Connector Pinout or Mapping

68-pin 0.8 mm VHDCI Connector Male (Plug)

Accessory Side Cable Pinout

68-pin .8 mm VHDCI Male Connector Pinout or Mapping

68-pin 0.050 in SCSI D-Type Female Connector Pinout or Mapping

68-pin 0.050 in SCSI D-Type Connector Female (Receptacle)

Wire Gauge , Conductor Size

Signal Wires: 30 AWG

+5V Wires: 26 AWG

See Dimensional Drawing for more information

Bend Radius

Cable Outer Diameter: 0.540 in. (13.7 mm)

Bend Radius: 6.5 in. (165 mm)

See Dimensional Drawing for more information

Resources

Dimensional Drawing

Product Page

Detailed Information

Wire mapping or pinout with wire colors: See Dimensional Drawing Shielding: Individually shielded analog pairs, separate analog and digital groupings, entire cable assembly Twisted Pairs: Analog pairs, some digital lines Connector Part Number and Jackscrews: See Dimensional Drawing and Custom Connectors Guide

 

SHC68-68 Quick Specifications and Documentation

Basic Shielding MIO Cable. Offers cost-effective basic shielding and individually twisted cable pairs, but does not have shields between the analog and digital signals. For most shielded MIO VHDCI connections, NI recommends that you use the SHC68-68-EPM cable.  Devices with extended Analog Input (AI) often recommend this cable for certain connectors.

Device or Module Side Cable Pinout

68-pin .8 mm VHDCI Male Connector Pinout or Mapping

68-pin 0.8 mm VHDCI Connector Male (Plug)

Accessory Side Cable Pinout

68-pin 0.050 in SCSI D-Type Female Connector Pinout or Mapping

68-pin 0.050 in SCSI D-Type Connector Female (Receptacle)

Wire Gauge , Conductor Size

Signal Wires: 30 AWG

+5V Wires: 30 AWG

See Dimensional Drawing for more information Bend Radius

Cable Outer Diameter: 0.380 in. (9.7 mm)

Bend Radius: 4.6 in. (117 mm)

See Dimensional Drawing for more information

Resources

Dimensional Drawing

Product Page

Detailed Information

Wire mapping or pinout with wire colors: See Dimensional Drawing Shielding: Entire cable assembly Twisted Pairs: Analog pairs, some digital lines Connector Part Number and Jackscrews: See Dimensional Drawing and Custom Connectors Guide

 

SHC68-C68-EPM Quick Specifications and Documentation

High Performance, Noise Reducing MIO Cable for Custom Fixtures and Breakouts. This special VHDCI-to-VHDCI cable is intended for use with a custom breakout fixture that features a VHDCI connection, rather than the SCSI connection used on most NI DAQ accessories.

Device or Module Side Cable Pinout

68-pin .8 mm VHDCI Male Connector Pinout or Mapping

68-pin 0.8 mm VHDCI Connector Male (Plug)

Accessory Side Cable Pinout

68-pin .8 mm VHDCI Male Connector Pinout or Mapping

68-pin 0.8 mm VHDCI Connector Male (Plug)

Wire Gauge , Conductor Size

Signal Wires: 30 AWG

+5V Wires: 26 AWG

Bend Radius

Cable Outer Diameter: 0.540 in. (13.7 mm)

Bend Radius: 6.5 in. (165 mm)

Resources

Product Page

Detailed Information

Wire mapping or pinout with wire colors: Not available. Shielding: Individually shielded analog pairs, separate analog and digital groupings, entire cable assembly Twisted Pairs: Analog pairs, some digital lines Connector Part Number and Jackscrews: See Custom Connectors Guide

 

SHC68-C68-S Quick Specifications and Documentation

Cost Effective, Basic Shielding for Custom Fixtures and Breakouts. This cable is designed with wire pairings for switching and motion applications, and is only recommended for certain DAQ applications.  This special VHDCI-to-VHDCI cable is intended for use with a custom breakout fixture that features a VHDCI connection, rather than the SCSI connection used on most NI DAQ accessories.

Device or Module Side Cable Pinout

68-pin .8 mm VHDCI Male Connector Pinout or Mapping

68-pin 0.8 mm VHDCI Connector Male (Plug)

Accessory Side Cable Pinout

68-pin .8 mm VHDCI Male Connector Pinout or Mapping

68-pin 0.8 mm VHDCI Connector Male (Plug)

Wire Gauge , Conductor Size

Signal Wires: 30 AWG

+5V Wires: 30 AWG

Bend Radius

Cable Outer Diameter: 0.380 in. (9.7 mm)

Bend Radius: 4.6 in. (117 mm)

Resources

Dimensional Drawing

Detailed Information

Wire mapping or pinout with wire colors: Not available. Shielding: Each twisted pair, entire cable assembly Twisted Pairs: Analog pairs, some digital lines Connector Part Number and Jackscrews: See Custom Connectors Guide

 

RC68-68 Quick Specifications and Documentation

Unshielded MIO Ribbon Cable. Offers cost-effective option with no shielding or twisted pairs.

Device or Module Side Cable Pinout

68-pin .8 mm VHDCI Male Connector Pinout or Mapping

68-pin 0.8 mm VHDCI Connector Male (Plug)

Accessory Side Cable Pinout

68-pin 0.050 in SCSI D-Type Female Connector Pinout or Mapping

68-pin 0.050 in SCSI D-Type Connector Female (Receptacle)

Wire Gauge , Conductor Size

Signal Wires: 30 AWG

+5V Wires: 30 AWG

Resources

Product Page

Detailed Information

Wire mapping or pinout with wire colors:
Not available Shielding: None Twisted Pairs: None Connector Part Number and Jackscrews:
See Custom Connectors Guide

Compatible Devices, Modules, and Cabling for DAQ VHDCI 68-pin Cables

This section is a summary of the most common use cases. Refer to the compatibility guide for complete coverage for your device or module with your cable and connector block or terminal block.

Compatible devices, modules, and cables.

CableDevice or Module
SHC68-68-EPMNI 63xx Models (formerly X Series)
NI 62xx Models (formerly M Series)
SHC68-68NI 673x Models (formerly Analog Output [AO] Series)
NI 63xx Models (formerly X Series)
NI 62xx Models (formerly M Series
SHC68-C68-EPMAny device recommended for SHC68-68-EPM and needing custom connection solutions.
SHC68-C68-SAny device recommended for SHC68-68-EPM and needing custom connection solutions.
RC68-68NI 673x Models (formerly Analog Output [AO] Series)
NI 63xx Models (formerly X Series)
NI 62xx Models (formerly M Series)

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