PCI-6221 analog output failure

[scalpas]

Hi

I have a problem with a PCI-6221 (37 pin) card. Both analog outputs no longer work, but the analog inputs seem fine. Regardless of the settings, there is always a constant voltage of a few volts on both analog outputs.

The card was being used as a function generator to control a power supply (a Kepco BOP 100-4D), only one analog output was being used. The last experiment where it was working was carried out for about 10 min, at a voltage of 10V. It may have failed during this cycle or afterwards, I don't know. I tried starting a new experiment, but there was no longer any response from the AO.

My questions :

1) Is there any way to repair this ? From what I gather it's probably cheaper to just buy a new card.

2) Any idea what could have caused this ? I'd like to avoid the same thing happening again.

The only idea I had for a possible cause was that the power supply needed too much current, but it requires a 1 mA control current, whereas the PCI-6221 can supply up to  5mA.

Thanks,

[Kyle_A.]

Hi scalpas,

I'm sorry to hear that your board is no longer responding to your settings.  Did you use Measurement and Automation Explorer (MAX) to try and output different AO voltages?  This is the lowest level testing we can do to verify that the AO is no longer responding. 

Assuming the card is not behaving as expected, you do have an option to send in the board for repair.  You can go through NI Support to return your board for RMA.  This is typically cheaper than replacing the card with a new one, but I cannot say how much less the repair would cost versus a replacement. 

To troubleshoot the cause of the board failure, our RMA department would have to take a look at the board and determine which components need to be repaired/replaced on the board.  As long as you are working within the specifications of the card, your experiment will not have a damaging effect on the card.  If you go outside the specs, there are protection circuits built in to prevent the board from damaging itself.  For AO, overdrive current is 10mA and overdrive voltage protection is ±25V.

[AnalogKid2DigitalMan]

scalpas:

Does the Kepco require an isolated voltage source for it's voltage programming inputs?

I know some other power supply manufacturers require this. You may want to check the Kepco manual regarding this.

-AK2DM