Description

The NI SCXI-1326 is a specialized terminal block engineered by National Instruments (NI) to serve as the front-end signal interface for the SCXI-1126 isolated voltage input module within the SCXI (Signal Conditioning eXtensions for Instrumentation) modular data acquisition platform. Designed for demanding industrial and R&D environments, the NI SCXI-1326 enables safe, accurate measurement of high-voltage analog signals—such as those found in battery stacks, motor drives, power converters, and floating sensor systems—while maintaining full galvanic isolation between channels and from the system ground.

Each NI SCXI-1326 provides 8 independent differential input channels, each capable of accepting signals up to ±42 V with respect to its local ground reference. The block features screw-clamp terminals rated for wire gauges from 16 to 28 AWG, ensuring secure and vibration-resistant connections in harsh test environments. When mounted directly onto an SCXI-1126 module, the NI SCXI-1326 creates a seamless, low-noise signal path that leverages the amplifier’s 250 V channel-to-channel and channel-to-bus isolation, effectively eliminating ground loops and protecting downstream DAQ hardware from damaging transients.

Widely deployed in electric vehicle (EV) battery testing, renewable energy inverter validation, and industrial automation diagnostics, the NI SCXI-1326 integrates effortlessly with LabVIEW, VeriStand, and Measurement & Automation Explorer (MAX), enabling rapid configuration, real-time monitoring, and automated test sequencing. Its rugged mechanical design and compatibility with standard SCXI chassis make it a reliable choice for engineers requiring scalable, high-integrity voltage acquisition across multi-channel applications.

NI SCXI-1326

Technical Specifications

Product Model | SCXI-1326
Manufacturer | National Instruments (NI)
Product Type | SCXI Terminal Block / Connector Block
Compatible Module | SCXI-1126 Isolated Voltage Input Module
Number of Channels | 8 differential inputs
Input Voltage Range | ±10 V or ±42 V (software-selectable via SCXI-1126)
Terminal Type | Screw-clamp (accepts 16–28 AWG stranded or solid wire)
Isolation Rating | Matches SCXI-1126: 250 V RMS channel-to-channel and channel-to-backplane
Operating Temperature | 0°C to +50°C
Mounting | Snap-on front panel of SCXI-1126 module
Wire Connection | Differential + shield/GND terminal per channel
Dimensions | 14.3 cm × 7.1 cm × 2.5 cm (H×W×D)

Main Features and Advantages

High-voltage, isolated signal termination for floating measurements:
The NI SCXI-1326 is purpose-built for scenarios where sensors or subsystems operate at potentials far from earth ground—such as individual cells in a 400 V EV battery pack or phase voltages in a three-phase inverter. By pairing with the SCXI-1126, each channel on the NI SCXI-1326 can float independently up to ±42 V, enabling true differential measurements without common-mode saturation or safety hazards.

Robust screw-terminal interface for industrial reliability:
Unlike fragile push-in or ribbon connectors, the NI SCXI-1326 uses industrial-grade screw terminals that maintain contact integrity under thermal cycling, shock, and continuous vibration—common in automotive dynamometer labs or factory floor test stations. Each terminal is clearly labeled (+, −, GND), reducing wiring errors during initial deployment or maintenance.

Seamless software integration and scalability:
Once installed, the NI SCXI-1326 requires no additional configuration—channel scaling, range selection, and isolation settings are managed entirely through the SCXI-1126 in NI MAX or programmatically in LabVIEW. Multiple NI SCXI-1326 blocks can coexist in a single SCXI chassis alongside other signal conditioning modules (e.g., thermocouple, strain, or current inputs), creating a unified, high-density acquisition system for complex multi-domain testing.

Safety and compliance in high-energy applications:
The combination of physical spacing, creepage design, and 250 V isolation ensures the NI SCXI-1326 meets safety standards for working with energized equipment. This makes it suitable for UL/CE-compliant test benches in power electronics development, where operator protection and measurement fidelity are non-negotiable.

Application Field

In an electric vehicle battery test lab, the NI SCXI-1326 terminates voltage taps from individual lithium-ion cells within a 600 V traction pack. Each channel measures cell potential relative to its neighbor, enabling state-of-charge balancing and early detection of internal shorts—all while the entire stack floats hundreds of volts above ground. The isolation prevents catastrophic ground faults during fault-injection tests.

At a solar inverter manufacturing facility, engineers use the NI SCXI-1326 to validate DC-link voltage stability and AC output waveform symmetry under grid-disturbance simulations. The ability to measure floating DC bus voltages (±400 V common mode) without external differential probes simplifies test rack design and improves long-term calibration stability.

In industrial motor drive commissioning, the NI SCXI-1326 monitors phase-to-phase and phase-to-ground voltages on medium-voltage drives. Its noise immunity ensures clean capture of PWM edges and harmonic content, supporting compliance testing against IEEE 519 standards for power quality—critical for avoiding utility penalties in large plants.

NI SCXI-1326

NI SCXI-1326 Terminal Block – 8-Channel Isolated Voltage Input Interface for SCXI-1126 Signal Conditioning Module

Description

Technical Specifications

Main Features and Advantages

Application Field

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