Product Introduction
The NI PXI-4065 is a 6½-digit PXI digital multimeter designed for automated electrical testing, production validation, laboratory measurement, and modular instrumentation systems. It performs AC and DC voltage, AC and DC current, 2-wire and 4-wire resistance, diode, and temperature measurements within a compact single-slot PXI module.
With voltage measurement capability up to ±300 V, current ranges up to 3 A, resistance ranges up to 100 MΩ, and programmable hardware triggering, the PXI-4065 provides the measurement flexibility required for electronic device validation, component testing, manufacturing inspection, and multichannel scanning systems.
Product Overview
The PXI-4065 combines the measurement functions of a benchtop digital multimeter with the synchronization, scalability, and software automation advantages of the PXI platform. It provides 6½-digit resolution for precision measurements while supporting faster reading rates when reduced resolution is acceptable.
The front panel includes HI, LO, HI SENSE, and LO SENSE terminals for voltage, current, diode, and 2-wire or 4-wire resistance measurements. An auxiliary I/O connector provides external trigger input, measurement-complete output, and switch-scanning communication.
The module is controlled through the NI-DMM driver and integrates with LabVIEW, TestStand, NI MAX, C/C++, C#, .NET, and supported Python environments. It can also be combined with PXI switch modules to create automated multichannel measurement systems.
Key Features
6½-Digit Measurement Resolution
The PXI-4065 provides precision measurement capability for low-level and general-purpose electrical signals.
- 6½-digit maximum resolution
- Programmable aperture time
- Selectable power-line-cycle integration
- Auto-zero functionality
- Automatic and manual ranging
- High common-mode noise rejection
Advantage: High resolution enables the module to detect small changes in voltage, current, and resistance during component characterization and automated validation.
AC and DC Voltage Measurement
The PXI-4065 supports voltage measurements from low-level millivolt signals to industrial and electronic power levels.
- DC voltage ranges from 100 mV to 300 V
- AC voltage ranges from 200 mV to 300 V
- Maximum common-mode voltage of 300 VAC RMS or VDC
- Selectable high-input-resistance mode on lower DC voltage ranges
- AC bandwidth up to 100 kHz
- Automatic range selection
Advantage: One module can perform precision low-voltage measurements and higher-voltage product validation without requiring separate instruments.
AC and DC Current Measurement
Integrated current ranges support direct measurement of electronic loads, power rails, and device operating current.
- DC current ranges from 10 mA to 3 A
- AC current ranges from 10 mA to 3 A
- User-replaceable fast-acting input fuse
- Automatic current ranging
- Low-burden-voltage measurement architecture
- Maximum continuous current of 3 A
Advantage: Direct current measurement simplifies power-consumption testing, load characterization, and automated product inspection.
2-Wire and 4-Wire Resistance Measurement
The PXI-4065 supports both general-purpose and precision resistance measurements.
- 2-wire resistance ranges from 100 Ω to 100 MΩ
- 4-wire resistance ranges from 100 Ω to 1 MΩ
- Offset nulling for improved 2-wire accuracy
- Automatic resistance ranging
- Kelvin sensing through HI SENSE and LO SENSE terminals
- Programmable test current by range
Advantage: Four-wire resistance measurement reduces lead-resistance error when testing low-value resistors, contacts, cables, and interconnects.
Diode and Temperature Measurement
The module supports diode testing and temperature measurements derived from compatible sensors and switching accessories.
- Diode tests up to 10 V
- 100 µA and 1 mA diode test currents
- Support for p-n junctions, LEDs, and Zener diodes
- Thermocouple measurement support
- RTD measurement support
- Thermistor measurement support
Advantage: Additional measurement functions allow one PXI instrument to support component testing and temperature-monitoring applications.
Flexible Reading Speed
The PXI-4065 allows engineers to trade measurement resolution for acquisition speed.
- Up to 6½-digit resolution
- Up to 3,000 S/s at 4½-digit resolution
- Up to 1,500 S/s at intermediate settings
- Programmable aperture time
- Configurable settling time
- Maximum trigger rate of 2.5 kHz
Advantage: Users can select high resolution for precision characterization or higher reading speed for production testing and channel scanning.
Hardware Triggering and Switch Scanning
Integrated trigger resources support synchronized measurements and automated multichannel systems.
- External trigger input
- PXI trigger-line support
- Sample trigger capability
- Measurement-complete output
- Trigger latency below 1 µs
- Programmable trigger delay
Advantage: Hardware triggering coordinates the DMM with PXI switches, fixtures, sources, and other modular instruments for repeatable automated measurements.
Compact PXI Integration
The PXI-4065 provides complete digital multimeter functionality in a single PXI slot.
- Single-slot 3U PXI module
- PXI Hybrid bus connection
- Less than 3 W backplane power consumption
- Integrated PXI trigger routing
- Compatible with embedded and remote PXI controllers
- Scalable modular test architecture
Advantage: Multiple DMMs and switching modules can be installed in one chassis to create compact, high-channel-count test systems.
Technical Specifications
| Parameter | Description |
|---|---|
| Product Type | PXI Digital Multimeter |
| Part Number | 780011-01 |
| Digits of Resolution | 6½ Digits |
| Bus Interface | PXI Hybrid |
| DC Voltage Ranges | 100 mV, 1 V, 10 V, 100 V, and 300 V |
| AC Voltage Ranges | 200 mV, 2 V, 20 V, and 300 V |
| Maximum Voltage | 300 VDC or 300 VAC RMS |
| Basic DC Voltage Accuracy | 90 ppm of Reading on the 10 V Range, Plus Range Error |
| DC Current Ranges | 10 mA, 100 mA, 1 A, and 3 A |
| AC Current Ranges | 10 mA, 100 mA, 500 mA, and 3 A |
| Maximum Continuous Current | 3 A |
| 2-Wire Resistance Ranges | 100 Ω to 100 MΩ |
| 4-Wire Resistance Ranges | 100 Ω to 1 MΩ |
| Diode Test Range | Up to 10 V at 100 µA or 3.5 V at 1 mA |
| Maximum DC Reading Rate | Up to 3,000 S/s at 4½-Digit Resolution |
| 6½-Digit DC Reading Rate | Up to 10 S/s at 6 NPLC; Higher Resolution Settings Available |
| AC Measurement Bandwidth | Up to 100 kHz |
| Maximum Trigger Rate | 2.5 kHz |
| Trigger Latency | Less Than 1 µs |
| Trigger Sources | AUX I/O Connector and PXI Trigger Lines |
| Front-Panel Terminals | HI, LO, HI SENSE, LO SENSE, and AUX I/O |
| Measurement Category | CAT II |
| Input Protection | 4 A, 300 V Fast-Acting User-Replaceable Current Fuse |
| Calibration Interval | 1 Year Recommended |
| Warm-Up Time | 30 Minutes to Rated Accuracy |
| Power Consumption | Less Than 3 W from the PXI Backplane |
| Dimensions | 21.6 cm × 2.0 cm × 13.0 cm |
| Weight | 351.5 g |
| Operating Temperature | 0 °C to 55 °C |
| Storage Temperature | −40 °C to 70 °C |
| Driver | NI-DMM |
Software Ecosystem
The PXI-4065 integrates with the National Instruments software ecosystem for instrument configuration, automated measurements, switch scanning, data analysis, and production testing.
- NI-DMM: Provides voltage, current, resistance, diode, temperature, triggering, timing, and switch-scanning APIs.
- LabVIEW: Supports graphical development of automated electrical measurement and validation applications.
- TestStand: Integrates DMM measurements into automated production test sequences, limits, reports, and result databases.
- NI MAX: Enables hardware detection, self-test, configuration, diagnostics, and access to the DMM soft front panel.
- NI Switch Executive: Coordinates the PXI-4065 with compatible PXI switch modules for multichannel scanning and route management.
- Measurement Studio: Supports Windows-based measurement applications developed with Visual Studio.
- Text-Based Development: NI-DMM provides compatible APIs for C/C++, C#, .NET, and supported Python environments.
Industries
- Automated Test Equipment
- Electronics Manufacturing
- Semiconductor Validation
- Automotive Electronics
- Aerospace and Defense
- Energy and Power Systems
- Research Laboratories
- Academic and Educational Laboratories
Applications
Automated Electronic Testing
The PXI-4065 can perform precision electrical measurements during automated production and validation sequences.
- PCB functional testing
- Electronic product validation
- Power-rail measurement
- Production quality inspection
- Device-under-test verification
Multichannel Switch Scanning
The DMM can be combined with PXI switch modules to measure many test points using one precision measurement instrument.
- Cable and harness testing
- Connector continuity testing
- High-channel-count voltage scanning
- Resistance matrix measurement
- Temperature sensor scanning
Component Characterization
Voltage, current, resistance, and diode functions support automated characterization of electronic components.
- Resistor testing
- Diode and LED testing
- Current-consumption measurement
- Contact-resistance measurement
- Sensor validation
Power and Battery Testing
The PXI-4065 can measure device voltage and operating current during power-system validation.
- Battery voltage measurement
- Power-supply verification
- Load-current monitoring
- Standby-current testing
- Power-sequence validation
Temperature Measurement
Resistance and voltage measurement functions can be used with compatible sensors and switching accessories for temperature acquisition.
- Thermocouple measurement
- RTD measurement
- Thermistor measurement
- Environmental testing
- Thermal validation
Comparison with Similar Products
| Model | Main Difference | Best Application |
|---|---|---|
|
NI PXI-4065 | Cost-effective 6½-digit PXI DMM with ±300 V measurement, current up to 3 A, and resistance up to 100 MΩ. | General automated electrical measurement |
|
NI PXI-4070 | Higher-performance 6½-digit PXI DMM with enhanced measurement speed and waveform acquisition capabilities. | Faster automated test systems |
|
NI PXI-4071 | 7½-digit PXI DMM with higher precision and improved low-level measurement performance. | Precision calibration and characterization |
|
NI PXIe-4080 | PXI Express digital multimeter with newer architecture and higher measurement performance. | Modern high-throughput PXIe test systems |
|
NI PXIe-4081 | High-precision 7½-digit PXI Express DMM for demanding automated characterization and calibration. | High-accuracy modular instrumentation |
Recommended Related Products
|
NI PXI-1042 | Eight-slot PXI chassis for compact automated measurement and switching systems. |
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NI PXI-1045 | Eighteen-slot PXI chassis for large automated test platforms requiring extensive module capacity. |
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NI PXI-8108 | Embedded PXI controller for instrument control, automated testing, and data processing. |
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NI PXI-2527 | High-density multiplexer switch module for automated multichannel voltage, resistance, and temperature scanning. |
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NI PXI-2564 | Relay switch module for automated signal routing and device-under-test connection. |
Why Choose PXI-4065?
- 6½-digit precision measurement capability
- AC and DC voltage measurement up to 300 V
- AC and DC current measurement up to 3 A
- 2-wire resistance measurement up to 100 MΩ
- 4-wire Kelvin resistance measurement
- Diode and temperature measurement support
- Reading rates up to 3,000 S/s at reduced resolution
- Hardware triggering through AUX I/O and PXI trigger lines
- Single-slot PXI modular architecture
- Full NI-DMM, LabVIEW, TestStand, and switch-scanning support
Frequently Asked Questions
What measurements can the PXI-4065 perform?
The PXI-4065 measures AC voltage, DC voltage, AC current, DC current, 2-wire resistance, 4-wire resistance, and diode voltage. It can also support thermocouple, RTD, and thermistor temperature measurements through appropriate sensors, wiring, and switching accessories.
What is the maximum measurement speed of the PXI-4065?
The maximum DC reading rate is up to 3,000 samples per second at 4½-digit resolution. Higher-resolution settings use longer aperture times and therefore produce lower reading rates. Engineers can adjust resolution, aperture time, settling time, and auto-zero settings according to the required balance between speed and accuracy.
Can the PXI-4065 be used for automated multichannel scanning?
Yes. The module provides external trigger input, measurement-complete output, and PXI trigger routing. It can be combined with compatible PXI multiplexer and relay switch modules for automated multichannel voltage, resistance, current, and temperature measurements.
Conclusion
The NI PXI-4065 6½-digit PXI digital multimeter provides precise voltage, current, resistance, diode, and temperature measurement capabilities in a compact modular format. Its ±300 V input range, 3 A current capability, flexible reading speed, hardware triggering, four-wire resistance support, and NI-DMM software integration make it a practical solution for automated production testing, component characterization, switch scanning, laboratory measurement, and electronic validation systems.
