cDAQ-9178 NI CompactDAQ 8-Slot USB Chassis

Detailed Description cDAQ-9178 is an 8-slot USB chassis for NI CompactDAQ portable data acquisition systems. It connects to host PC via USB 2.0 interface, controlling timing, synchronization and high-speed data transfer between PC and up to eight C Series I/O modules. Users can freely combine analog input, analog output, digital I/O and counter modules to build customized mixed-measurement systems for thermocouples, RTDs, strain gauges, pressure transducers and other industrial sensors. It is widely used in automotive test benches, mechanical vibration monitoring, aerospace validation, energy battery testing and laboratory data logging.

This chassis integrates four 32-bit general-purpose counter/timers for quadrature encoder reading, pulse generation, frequency and period measurement. Two front-panel BNC connectors are available for external clock and trigger signals up to 1 MHz, enabling multi-module synchronous sampling or system-level synchronization with external test equipment. C-series modules support hot swap; the chassis automatically recognizes inserted modules after plug-in, greatly simplifying system expansion and maintenance. It works with NI-DAQmx driver, LabVIEW and FlexLogger software for fast measurement configuration, real-time data display and CSV data export without complex programming.

The hardware adopts compact and rugged industrial design, IP30 protection grade, operating temperature range -20℃ ~ 55℃. It supports desktop placement or panel mounting for portable and fixed test stations. Built-in self-diagnosis monitors module communication, power status and timing errors, and status LEDs help technicians quickly locate hardware faults. The chassis provides internal power supply for installed C-series modules, reducing extra wiring work for field test setup.

cDAQ-9178 is legacy NI DAQ chassis widely deployed in many existing automated test systems. When the original chassis fails, replacement with identical cDAQ-9178 can reuse existing C-series modules, sensor wiring and LabVIEW measurement project. No major program revision is required. Technicians install modules, connect USB and power cable, verify device recognition and trigger configuration, so the whole test system resumes measurement quickly and reduces downtime.

Before shipment, every cDAQ-9178 undergoes comprehensive functional inspection including power-on test, USB communication verification, BNC trigger and clock test, hot-swap module detection and counter function validation. All products come with 12-month warranty. Our technical team provides remote support for chassis installation, module configuration, NI-DAQmx setup and fault diagnosis. Fast global shipping is available for urgent maintenance orders.

For test and measurement engineers and system integrators, cDAQ-9178 is reliable 8-slot USB chassis for portable CompactDAQ mixed-signal measurement systems. It delivers flexible channel expansion and stable synchronous acquisition performance, extends service life of automated test benches and avoids expensive reconstruction of data acquisition systems.