NI 2503/2529 Switch Performance Test

Test the performance of the PXI-2503 and PXI/PXIe-2529 using Calibration Executive.

Calibration Executive Procedure Features

Verify only Verify & Adjust Manual Mode Optional Adjust

Approximate Test Time

Device Performance Test
PXI-2503 3 minutes
PXI/PXIe-2529 8 minutes

Test Equipment

The following table lists the test instruments required for testing the NI 2503/2529.

Table 43. Equipment for testing PXI-2503 and PXI/PXIe-2529 performance
Instrument Recommended Model Requirements
DMM PXI-4071 Voltage Accuracy: 7.5 digits

Resistance Accuracy: 6.5 digits

Terminal Block PXI-2503: TB-2606

PXI/PXIe-2529: TB-2636

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The switch performance tests should be executed periodically on switches used with Calibration Executive procedures to check if any switch paths have become damaged, or if the switches are approaching the end of their useful life. The frequency of execution of these tests will depend on many factors, including how often the switches are used.

Test Conditions

The following setup and environmental conditions are required to ensure the NI 2503/2529 meets published specifications.

  • Keep connections to the device as short as possible. Long cables and wires act as antennas, picking up extra noise that can affect measurements.
  • Verify that all connections to the device are secure.
  • Use shielded copper wire for all cable connections to the device. Use twisted-pair wire to eliminate noise and thermal offsets.
  • Maintain an ambient temperature of 23 °C ±5 °C. The device temperature will be greater than the ambient temperature.
  • Keep relative humidity below 80%.

Device Setup

  1. Configure the hardware using Measurement & Automation Explorer (MAX).
  2. Launch the Calibration Executive procedure and complete the setup wizard.
  3. Complete the following steps to create fixtures that will be used to connect the switches to the DMM.

Create the NI 2529 Fixture

  1. On the TB-2636, connect the positive (+) and negative (-) terminals together for C0—C31.
  2. Connect all + terminals together for R0 to R3, and wire them out using two separate wires to banana connectors labeled "DMM HI" and "DMM HI Sense".
  3. Connect all - terminals together for R0 to R3, and wire them out using two separate wires to banana connectors labeled "DMM LO" and "DMM LO Sense".

To run the procedure, connect the TB-2636 to the PXI/PXIe-2529 switch, and connect the four banana connectors to the appropriate terminals on the DMM.

Create the NI 2503 Fixture

  1. On the TB-2606, connect the + and - terminals together for C0 to C5.
  2. Connect all + terminals together for R0 to R3, and wire them out using two separate wires to banana connectors labeled "DMM HI" and "DMM HI Sense."
  3. Connect all - terminals together for R0 to R3, and wire them out using two separate wires to banana connectors labeled "DMM LO" and "DMM LO Sense".

To run the procedure, connect the TB-2606 to the PXI-2503 switch, and connect the four banana connectors to the appropriate terminals on the DMM.

Test Limit Equations

These switch tests are not intended to be a validation of the full warranted performance of these devices. The parameters and limits used in these tests are based on the needs of the procedures in Calibration Executive that use these switches to ensure they meet the performance requirements of those procedures.