NATIONAL INSTRUMENTS PXI-1042 Maintain Forced-Air Cooling User Manual

: October 30, 2023
: NATIONAL INSTRUMENTS

Table of Contents

NATIONAL INSTRUMENTS PXI-1042 Maintain Forced-Air Cooling
Product Information
Product Usage Instructions
Maintain Forced-Air Cooling
PCI/PCI Express Devices
Worldwide Support and Services
References
Read User Manual Online (PDF format)
Download This Manual (PDF format)

NATIONAL INSTRUMENTS PXI-1042 Maintain Forced-Air Cooling

NATIONAL-INSTRUMENTS-PXI-1042-Maintain-Forced-Air-Cooling-
PRODUCT

Product Information

PXIe-5111

The PXIe-5111 is a device that requires forced-air cooling to maintain optimal performance. Inadequate air circulation can cause the temperature inside a PXI, PXI Express, or PC chassis/case to rise above the maximum recommended operating temperature for your device, potentially causing thermal shutdown or damage to the device. It is important to maintain proper air circulation paths, fan settings, space allowances, and cleaning procedures to ensure proper functioning of the device.

Forced-Air Cooling Guidelines for PXI/PXI Express Devices

Install slot blockers in unused slots to maximize air flow in the slots populated with devices.
Install filler panels over all unused slots after installing your devices. Missing filler panels disrupt the necessary air circulation in the chassis.
Allow plenty of space around the chassis fan intake and exhaust vents. Blocked fan vents can cause the temperature inside the chassis to rise.
Ensure the ambient temperature of your PXI system is within the specifications for all of the system components.
Your chassis must be installed so cooling clearances meet the specifications stated in your user manual.
If your chassis includes fan filters, clean them at least every six months.
Set all chassis fans to High, unless directed otherwise by the PXI(e) module user manual.
Do not disable the fan(s).
Ensure the ambient temperature does not exceed the rated ambient temperature specification.

Forced-Air Cooling Guidelines for PCI/PCI Express Devices:

Install all filler panels after installing the device. Missing filler panels disrupt the necessary air circulation in the chassis.

Note: Refer to the documentation for your device for more information about thermal shutdown. Refer to your chassis documentation for more information about air circulation paths, fan settings, space allowances, and cleaning procedures.

Product Usage Instructions

Install slot blockers in unused slots to maximize air flow in the slots populated with devices.
Install filler panels over all unused slots after installing your devices to ensure proper air circulation in the chassis.
Allow plenty of space around the chassis fan intake and exhaust vents. Blocked fan vents can cause the temperature inside the chassis to rise.
Ensure the ambient temperature of your PXI system is within the specifications for all of the system components.
Your chassis must be installed so cooling clearances meet the specifications stated in your user manual.
If your chassis includes fan filters, clean them at least every six months.
Set all chassis fans to High, unless directed otherwise by the PXI(e) module user manual. Do not disable the fan(s).
Ensure the ambient temperature does not exceed the rated ambient temperature specification.
For PCI/PCI Express Devices, install all filler panels after installing the device to ensure proper air circulation in the chassis.

Maintain Forced-Air Cooling

Inadequate air circulation can cause the temperature inside a PXI, PXI Express, or
PC chassis/case to rise above the maximum recommended operating temperature for your device, potentially causing thermal shutdown or damage to the device. Refer to the documentation for your device for more information about thermal shutdown. Refer to your chassis documentation for more information about air circulation paths, fan settings, space allowances, and cleaning procedures.

PXI/PXI Express Devices
Use the following guidelines to maintain optimal forced-air cooling for PXI/PXI Express devices:

National Instruments highly recommends installing slot blockers in unused slots to maximize air flow in the slots populated with devices. Refer to ni.com/info and enter the Info Code pxisb for information about slot blockers.
Install filler panels over all unused slots after installing your devices. Missing filler panels disrupt the necessary air circulation in the chassis.
Allow plenty of space around the chassis fan intake and exhaust vents. Blocked fan vents impede the air flow needed for cooling. If you remove the chassis feet, allow for adequate clearance below the chassis. Refer to your chassis user manual for further information about fan location, chassis orientation, and clearances.
Often, ambient temperature is a concern for rack-mount deployments. If your PXI system is deployed in a rack, the following guidelines should be considered:
- Place high-power units within the rack above the PXI system(s) where possible.
- Use racks with open sides and/or rear panels.
- Use fan trays within the rack, and at the top and bottom of the rack, to increase overall air flow. This will reduce ambient temperatures within the rack.
- Use other methods that reduce ambient temperatures within the rack.

Note The ambient temperature of a PXI system is defined as the temperature at the chassis fan inlet (air intake).

In addition to ensuring the ambient temperature of your PXI system is within the specifications for all of the system components, it is vital to provide adequate cooling clearances for your chassis so the required chassis air flow is achieved.
Your chassis must be installed so cooling clearances meet the specifications stated in your user manual. A typical example for a PXI chassis with a rear air intake and top/side exhaust, provides for a minimum of 76.2 mm (3 in.) of clearance from the air intake on the rear of the chassis and 44.5 mm (1.75 in.) of clearance above and on the sides of the chassis.
The following figure shows an example of a chassis with the required cooling clearances. NATIONAL-INSTRUMENTS-PXI-1042-Maintain-Forced-Air-Cooling-FIG
1

If your chassis includes fan filters, clean them at least every six months. Depending on the amount of chassis use and the ambient dust levels, filters may require more frequent cleaning. If regular maintenance of dirty or clogged filters is not possible, you can remove foam filters to maintain adequate cooling.
Set all chassis fans to High, unless directed otherwise by the PXI(e) module user manual.
Do not disable the fan(s).
Ensure the ambient temperature does not exceed the rated ambient temperature specification. Refer to the chassis temperature LED, if available (refer to chassis user manual for LED behavior description), or use a temperature probe to verify temperature. Refer to your chassis user manual for further information about ambient temperature.

PCI/PCI Express Devices

Use the following guidelines to maintain optimal forced-air cooling for PCI/PCI Express devices:

Install all filler panels after installing the device.
Missing filler panels disrupt the necessary air circulation in the chassis.
Allow plenty of space around the chassis/case fan intake and exhaust vents.
Blocking the fan vents impedes the air flow needed for cooling.
Maintain proper airflow for devices with onboard fans.
- Ensure that the onboard fan is not obstructed.
- Leave the slot adjacent to the fan side of the PCI/PCI Express device empty. If you must use the adjacent slot, install a device that allows for the maximum amount of clearance between the fan and the adjacent device (for example, low-profile devices).
Maintain proper airflow for devices without onboard fans.
- Ensure that the PC chassis/case has active cooling that provides airflow across the card cage.
- Leave the slots adjacent to the PCI/PCI Express device empty. If you must use an adjacent slot, install devices that allow for the maximum amount of clearance between each device (for example, low-profile devices).
  The following table shows the difference between PCI/PCI Express devices with and without onboard fans.

PCI/PCI Express Device with Onboard Fan

PCI/PCI Express Device without Onboard Fan

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