NI PXIe-4143 High-Power PXI Express (PXIe) Source Measure Unit

The NI PXIe-4143 is a high-power PXI Express Source Measure Unit (SMU) developed by National Instruments (NI), engineered to address the demanding test needs of high-power electronic components—filling a critical gap between mid-power SMUs like the NI PXIe-4139 (20 W) and bulky standalone high-power supplies. As a flagship model in NI’s high-power PXIe lineup, the NI PXIe-4143 delivers 100 W continuous power (±60 V, ±3 A), combining precision sourcing/measurement (20-bit resolution) with PXIe’s modularity and synchronization capabilities.

Unlike standalone high-power supplies (which lack integrated measurement) or low-power SMUs (which can’t handle industrial-grade components), the NI PXIe-4143 integrates dual functionality—sourcing stable high voltage/current and measuring resulting parameters—in a compact 3U PXIe module. This makes it ideal for testing electric vehicle (EV) components (e.g., inverters, battery modules), industrial motors, and power semiconductors (e.g., IGBTs). When paired with a NI PXIe-8861 controller and NI PXIe-1095 chassis (optimized for high-power modules), the NI PXIe-4143 synchronizes with other PXIe instruments (e.g., NI PXIe-5105 digitizers) via TClk to capture transient behavior (e.g., inrush current during motor startup)—a capability the NI PXIe-4139 can’t match for high-power applications.

Detailed parameter table

Core advantages and technical highlights

100 W Power Rating for High-Power Component Testing: The NI PXIe-4143’s 100 W continuous power (±60 V, ±3 A) and 150 W peak power enable it to test industrial-grade components that overwhelm mid-power SMUs like the NI PXIe-4139 (20 W). For example, in an EV inverter test, the NI PXIe-4143 sources 48 V (typical EV battery voltage) and 2.5 A to the inverter’s input, while measuring the output current (up to 3 A) and voltage (up to 60 V) to verify efficiency. Without this power capacity, the NI PXIe-4139 would shut down due to overload, making it impossible to test high-power devices.

Precision at High Power for Accurate Characterization: Despite its high-power capabilities, the NI PXIe-4143 retains lab-grade precision—±0.01% voltage sourcing accuracy and 100 pA current measurement resolution. This is critical for characterizing power semiconductors like IGBTs: the NI PXIe-4143 measures leakage current (as low as 1 µA) at 60 V bias, detecting subtle defects that cause premature component failure. This level of precision surpasses generic high-power supplies (which often have ±0.1% accuracy) and ensures compliance with standards like IEC 60747 for power semiconductors.

Integrated Thermal Management for Reliability: The NI PXIe-4143 features a built-in heat sink and temperature monitoring, preventing overheating during prolonged high-power operation. Unlike the NI PXIe-4139 (which relies on basic chassis cooling), the NI PXIe-4143’s thermal design handles 100 W continuous power without performance degradation. In a battery module test, for instance, the NI PXIe-4143 runs a 4-hour charge-discharge cycle (sourcing 50 V, 2 A) while its internal sensor monitors temperature—triggering a shutdown if it exceeds 105 °C. This protects both the module and the DUT (Device Under Test) from thermal damage, a key safety feature for high-power testing.

PXIe Synchronization for Transient Capture: The NI PXIe-4143 supports PXIe triggers and TClk, enabling sub-10 ns synchronization with other PXIe instruments to capture fast transient events. In a motor drive test, the NI PXIe-4143 (sourcing power to the drive) synchronizes with a NI PXIe-5105 digitizer (capturing voltage spikes) via TClk—recording inrush current (up to 3 A) and voltage overshoot (up to 60 V) during startup. This synchronization ensures engineers correlate power input with transient behavior, a critical step in validating motor drive reliability—something standalone high-power supplies (with no PXIe integration) can’t achieve.

Typical application scenarios

In electric vehicle (EV) battery module testing, the NI PXIe-4143 characterizes 48 V lithium-ion battery modules. A test lab uses the NI PXIe-4143 (paired with a NI PXIe-8861 controller) to perform charge-discharge cycles: it sources a constant current (up to 3 A) to charge the module to 56 V (max cell voltage), then measures the discharge current (100 pA resolution) and voltage (100 nV resolution) at 1 kS/s. The NI PXIe-4143’s 100 W power handles the module’s 96 Wh capacity, while its synchronization with a NI PXIe-6674T timing module ensures data alignment with environmental chamber conditions (e.g., -20 °C to 45 °C). This setup calculates key metrics like capacity fade and internal resistance, ensuring the module meets EV range requirements—something the NI PXIe-4139 can’t do due to power limitations.

In industrial motor drive testing, the NI PXIe-4143 validates 48 V DC motor drives. A manufacturing plant uses the module to source 48 V to the drive’s input and measure the output current (up to 3 A) during startup and steady-state operation. The NI PXIe-4143’s 10 kS/s burst mode captures inrush current (peaking at 3 A) and voltage transients, while its OCP (3.3 A) protects the drive from short circuits. When synchronized with a NI PXIe-5105 digitizer, it correlates input power with motor speed, verifying drive efficiency (target > 90%). This automated testing reduces manual effort by 70% compared to using separate supplies and multimeters, ensuring consistent quality for industrial motor drives.

Installation, commissioning and maintenance instructions

Installation preparation: Before installing the NI PXIe-4143, verify the PXIe chassis (e.g., NI PXIe-1095) is rated for high-power modules (minimum 60 W per slot) and wear an ESD wristband (±15 kV) to protect precision circuitry. Align the NI PXIe-4143 with the chassis’ reinforced high-power slot, insert firmly until the PXIe connector seats fully, then secure with the chassis’ locking screw (to handle thermal expansion). Use 4-mm safety banana jack cables (rated for 60 V, 3 A) to connect the module to the DUT—ensure cables are rated for the DUT’s power to avoid overheating. Power on the chassis first, then the host PC, to prevent voltage surges.

Commissioning and maintenance: Install the latest NI-SMU driver and LabVIEW, then use NI Measurement & Automation Explorer (MAX) to detect the NI PXIe-4143. Run a “High-Power Self-Test” (sourcing 50 V, 1 A to a 50 Ω load resistor) to verify power output and measurement accuracy. Calibrate the NI PXIe-4143 annually using a NIST-traceable high-power calibrator (e.g., NI 9178 with high-voltage adapter) to maintain ±0.01% voltage accuracy. Inspect the banana jacks and PXIe connector quarterly: clean contacts with isopropyl alcohol (99.9% purity) and check for signs of overheating (discoloration). If the NI PXIe-4143 triggers thermal shutdown, reduce the DUT load or improve chassis airflow—avoid exposing the module to temperatures above 55 °C or humidity above 90%.