NI PXIe-4142 | OEM Condition | Compliance Verification

Description

Unboxing & Physical Snapshot

• Brand: National Instruments (NI)
• Model: PXIe-4142
• NI part number: 782430-01
• Function: 4-channel, ±24 V, ±150 mA PXI Source Measure Unit (SMU). Each channel supports integrated 4-wire remote sensing.
• Physical dimensions: Approx. 20.0 × 130 × 216 mm (H × W × D); 3U, one-slot PXI Express/CompactPCI Express module.
• Unit weight: 412 g (14.53 oz) for the documented 20 W version.
• Shipping weight: Budget approximately 0.8–1.5 kg packed for freight planning only; use the actual carton weight for the commercial shipment.
• Front-panel connection: 25-position male D-SUB.
• What’s in the box: PXIe-4142 module; accessories and documentation depend on the specific supply condition and lot. Verify against the packing list before booking the asset into inventory.

Product Introduction

Architecture hook: The PXIe-4142 is not a standalone bench instrument. It occupies one slot in a compatible PXI Express or CompactPCI Express chassis, where the chassis supplies the module’s power and forced-air cooling. The physical card is a 3U, one-slot assembly with its external measurement interface concentrated at the front-panel D-SUB connector.

Functionally, this is a precision source-measure asset rather than a conventional PLC/DCS I/O module. Four SMU channels provide four-quadrant operation, with ±24 V and ±150 mA ranges and integrated remote sensing for DUT characterization (important when lead resistance would otherwise distort low-level measurements).

Core Technical Specifications

NI PXIe-4142

NI specifies the module’s physical dimensions, weight, power requirements, and environmental limits in its published specifications.

The power figures deserve attention during chassis planning. The documented requirement is 2 A at 12 V plus 1.9 A at 3.3 V, corresponding to approximately 30.3 W of input power if both rails operate at their stated current limits; do not substitute this calculation for the chassis power-budget specification.

Global Compliance & Industry Certifications

The PXIe-4142 documentation identifies the following compliance framework:

• IEC/EN 61010-1 — electrical equipment safety requirements for measurement, control, and laboratory use.
• UL 61010-1 — North American electrical safety standard.
• CSA C22.2 No. 61010-1 — Canadian safety standard.
• EN/IEC 61326-1 — EMC requirements.
• FCC 47 CFR Part 15B — Class A emissions requirements.
• ICES-001 — Class A emissions requirements.

CE Mark: Verify the current Declaration of Conformity and product marking for the exact hardware revision before representing CE status on export documentation.

UL/cUL: Do not rely solely on a catalog listing. Confirm the certification mark on the actual product or its applicable certification record.

ATEX/IECEx: These should not be assumed. The PXIe-4142 is a PXI instrumentation module intended for controlled equipment environments; hazardous-area suitability requires a specific certification applicable to the complete installation.

Marine approvals: DNV/DNV GL approval should likewise be treated as a separate requirement rather than assumed from the general NI compliance documentation.

For plant safety, the 61010 safety framework matters because the module is measurement/control equipment that can present electrical hazards during operation, servicing, and connection to energized test circuits. Verify specific lot certifications with OEM.

Long-Term Storage & Asset Preservation Guide

Keep the PXIe-4142 inside its original ESD protective packaging whenever it is not installed. The front-panel connector and internal electronics should not be exposed unnecessarily to conductive debris or uncontrolled static discharge.

Control storage conditions. NI specifies −40 °C to 70 °C storage temperature and 5–95% RH, noncondensing for the documented environmental specification. For long-term warehouse preservation, a substantially drier, temperature-stable environment is preferable—particularly where repeated temperature swings could produce condensation.

Protect calibration status as an asset attribute. NI recommends a one-year calibration interval. Record the last calibration date, calibration certificate, serial number, and firmware/software baseline rather than treating the unit as simply “tested.”

NI PXIe-4142

Physical Installation Prerequisites

• Install the PXIe-4142 only in a compatible PXI Express/CompactPCI Express chassis with an appropriate slot.
• Secure the module using the chassis’ card guides and front-panel retaining hardware; do not allow the board to hang unsupported.
• Ensure the chassis provides its specified forced-air cooling. NI’s calibration procedure specifically calls for high fan speed, clean fan filters where fitted, and filler panels in unused slots during test conditions.
• Keep the front-panel D-SUB connector and mating cable free from mechanical strain.
• Use the chassis grounding architecture specified by NI and the PXI chassis manufacturer.
• Do not substitute a generic cabinet clearance rule for the chassis manufacturer’s airflow requirement. PXI thermal performance depends on the chassis fan arrangement and airflow path.
• Before commissioning, confirm that the installed chassis can supply the module’s required 12 V and 3.3 V rail currents within its own system power budget.

Buyer’s FAQ

Q: What HS tariff code should be declared for the PXIe-4142?
A: Do not classify it solely from the PXIe designation. The PXIe-4142 is a source-measure instrumentation module, so classification should be determined from its documented principal function and the importing country’s tariff schedule. Have the customs broker validate the final HS code before export.

Q: What should be recorded for Country of Origin?
A: Record the COO from the actual unit, manufacturer documentation, or supplier declaration. NI’s brand identity does not establish manufacturing origin. Retain the COO evidence with the commercial invoice and asset record.

Q: Is shipping insurance worthwhile for a 412 g module?
A: Yes, when replacement cost, calibration history, or production impact is significant. The low physical weight does not indicate low asset value. Photograph the module, serial number, connectors, and packaging before carrier handoff.

Q: Does the PXIe-4142 arrive with the latest firmware?
A: Do not assume that it does. NI identifies the PXIe-4142 as a hardware instrument with associated driver/software support, and firmware/software compatibility must be checked against the intended PXI system. Record the actual installed revision during incoming inspection rather than labeling an older spare as “latest.”