National Instruments NI SCB-68A – Shielded 68‑pin connector block for fast, reliable wiring to NI DAQ

The NI SCB-68A is a shielded screw‑terminal breakout that brings all 68 pins from your NI multifunction DAQ card to clearly labeled terminals. From my experience, teams pick it when they want bench‑friendly wiring during prototyping and the same hardware to move into a cabinet later—without re‑terminating harnesses. You might notice that it reduces noise issues compared with open boards, especially on longer cable runs or mixed‑signal test racks.

Typical uses include sensor bring‑up (thermocouples via AI, strain and voltage inputs), small actuator control (AO), and quick access to digital I/O and counters/PFI lines for triggers and encoders. It’s passive, so installation is straightforward—connect your 68‑pin DAQ cable, land the wires, tie down for strain relief, and you’re up and running.

Our Order Placement Process and Guarantees

• Warranty: 365 days from delivery
• Lead time: 1 week if in stock; no more than 1 month at the latest
• Payment: 50% advance payment; full payment before delivery
• Express delivery options: FedEx, UPS, DHL

Key Features

• 68‑pin direct breakout – Maps all NI DAQ lines (AI, AO, DIO, counters/PFI) to labeled screw terminals for quick access.
• Shielded metal enclosure – Helps minimize crosstalk and EMI, which typically matters in mixed‑signal and factory environments.
• Clear labeling and pin map – Channel names and numbering are easy to follow during wiring and troubleshooting.
• Strain relief and tie‑down – Cable and wire tie points reduce movement at the terminals; fewer intermittent faults over time.
• Passive, no external power – Simple integration; just connect to your NI 68‑pin cable.
• Bench or panel installation – Works well on a desk during development and mounts into a cabinet later.
• Grounding provision – Chassis/earth ground connection helps with shield termination and noise control.

Technical Specifications

Related and Supporting Products

• NI SCB-68 – Earlier shielded 68‑pin block; the SCB‑68A is the newer revision with updated mechanics and layout.
• NI TBX-68 – 68‑pin terminal accessory; good when you don’t need a fully enclosed shielded block.
• NI CB-68LP – Low‑profile 68‑pin connector block (unshielded) for tight spaces and budget‑sensitive builds.
• NI BNC-2110 – BNC‑style breakout; handy when sensors are already BNC‑terminated (less flexible for field wiring).
• NI SH68‑68‑EPM / SHC68‑68‑EPM cables – Shielded 68‑conductor cables commonly paired with 68‑pin NI DAQ for best signal integrity.

Installation & Maintenance

• Environment – Install in a clean, dry, non‑condensing area. From my experience, keeping it away from high‑voltage drives and contactors reduces pickup.
• Cabinet & ventilation – If panel‑mounted, allow a bit of airflow around the metal enclosure. No special cooling is usually required.
• Wiring – Use shielded twisted‑pair for analog signals; route digital and power lines separately. Keep DAQ cable runs as short as practical.
• Grounding – Bond the chassis ground stud to your panel earth. Terminate cable shields at one end to avoid loops, unless your grounding scheme dictates otherwise.
• Safety – De‑energize circuits before landing wires. Observe ESD handling when working around sensitive inputs.
• Routine maintenance – Re‑tighten terminals periodically, especially in high‑vibration setups; dust the enclosure; inspect strain reliefs. No firmware or calibration is required for this passive accessory.

Quality & Certifications

• Compliance: CE and RoHS (common for NI terminal accessories)
• Manufacturer quality system: ISO 9001 (NI maintains ISO‑certified quality processes)
• Manufacturer’s warranty: Typically 1 year limited from NI (model‑specific terms may apply)
• Our warranty service: 365 days coverage from delivery

Quick field note: A customer in a vibration test lab swapped from an open breakout to the SCB‑68A and immediately saw steadier low‑level voltage readings—nothing magic, just better shielding and cleaner cable routing. That seems to be the kind of incremental reliability gain most teams are after.