PCI-6517 | Product Overview

The NI PCI-6517 is a National Instruments (NI) industrial-grade 32-channel isolated source (Sink), single-group isolated, ±30 V, high current, economical PCI half-length card.

Key features: 32-channel isolated DO (Sink, 120 mA per channel, peak 500 mA, single group optocoupler, watchdog, programmable power-on state, 37-pin connector, low cost)

Suitable for: 24 V relays / solenoids / LED drivers, economical switch quantity control, strong interference environments, output-only applications (negated logic).

Part number: 779083-01; discontinued (EOL), replacement model PCIe-6517.

I. Basic Information

Model: PCI‑6517

Brand: National Instruments (NI)

Series: 651x Industrial Isolated DIO Series

Bus: PCI (5 V compatible, half-length card)

Connector: 1 × 37-pin D‑Sub (economy type)

Isolation: 32 channels all in 1 bank (Bank 0), inter-bank optical isolation

Driver: NI‑DAQmx

Operating Temperature: 0 ~ 55 °C

Features: ±30 V, 32-channel Sink output, single bank isolation, 120 mA continuous, watchdog, programmable power-on, 37-pin, low cost, high interference resistance

II. Digital Output DO (32 channels, isolated, Sink output)

Channels: 32 isolated digital outputs, 32 channels per bank

Output Voltage Range: 0 ~ +30 VDC (Sink, low active)

Load Current:

Continuous: 120 mA/channel

Peak (Pulse): 500 mA/channel

Output Type: Sink (pull-up / pull-down), output low level to ground to pull load to ground

On-Resistance: < 1 Ω (typical)

Power-On State: Programmable (high / low / hold)

Maximum Switching Rate: Approximately 100 kHz (software dependent)

Functions: Single point / bank control, pulse, PWM (software), watchdog safe shutdown

III. Industrial Characteristics

Watchdog Timer: 1–65535 ms programmable; automatically cuts safe output (high / low) in case of failure

Programmable Power-On State: Avoids false actions during power-on

Single Bank Isolation: 32 channels common-ground isolated, suppresses ground loop current

Overcurrent / Overvoltage Protection: Single-channel current limiting, prevents short circuit damage

High Common-Mode Suppression: Suitable for motors, frequency converters, relay strong interference sites

IV. Physical and Environmental

Size: Half-length PCI, approximately 12.4 cm × 12.6 cm × 2.2 cm

Weight: Approximately 0.15 kg (2.5 oz)

Temperature: 0 ~ 55 °C (operating), -20 ~ 70 °C (storage)

Humidity: 10% ~ 90%, no condensation

Isolation Voltage: ≥ 500 Vrms (between isolated ground and system ground)

Power Consumption: +5 V @ 150 mA; +3.3 V @ 300 mA (typical)

V. Installation and Usage Tips Installation

Power off and disconnect → Insert standard PCI half-length slot → Power on MAX identification → Install NI-DAQmx.

Wiring (37-pin D-Sub)

Single group isolated ground: All DO share 1 group of isolated ground, isolated from the system ground.

DO wiring (Sink): Positive pole of the load is connected to +24 V, negative pole is connected to DO; when DO output is low, current flows from +24 V → load → DO → board card isolated ground.

Load voltage: 0 - 30 VDC, recommended 24 V industrial standard.

Strictly prohibit short circuit: Single channel current limiting, long-term short circuit trigger protection.

Capacitive load (relay / solenoid valve): Must be connected in parallel with a shunt diode (1N4007) to prevent reverse high voltage from breaking the board card.

Software configuration (NI-DAQmx)

DO: Drain output, power-on high level (safe default), watchdog 100–500 ms safe high level.

Output rate: Relay control ≤ 10 Hz, avoid contact burnout.

Notes

Single group isolated: 32 channels shared isolated ground, cannot be divided into different voltage domains.

Long lines use shielded wires, shield connected to isolated ground, not connected to the system ground.

Do not directly connect >30 V load, need to add intermediate relay for conversion.

Capacitive load must be connected with a shunt diode, otherwise it is prone to damage the output channel.

Six. Core features

32-channel isolated Sink output (±30 V, 120 mA continuous, 500 mA peak, single group optocoupler)

PCI half-length card, 37-pin D-Sub, NI-DAQmx, watchdog, programmable power-on, low cost, high anti-interference

Directly drive 24 V relays / solenoid valves / LEDs (negative logic), economical only output control, strong interference site, one-way executioner driver on the production line

Applicable: 32-channel isolated Sink output, relay control cabinet, solenoid valve array, LED indicator group, low-cost industrial control (negative logic)