NI PCI-6025E Multifunction DAQ for PCI — reliable 12‑bit AI, AO, DIO, and counters for lab and OEM test stands

The NI PCI-6025E is a classic E Series multifunction data acquisition board that still makes a lot of sense for upgrades and spares. From my experience, it’s the card you drop into a legacy Windows workstation when you need dependable analog input performance without rewriting your whole measurement stack. You get 12‑bit analog inputs (up to 16 SE or 8 DIFF), two analog outputs for control/actuation, basic digital I/O, plus two hardware counters—enough for a great many end-of-line testers, teaching labs, and R&D rigs that have standardized on NI-DAQ.

One thing I appreciate is how forgiving the PCI-6025E tends to be with sensor interfacing. You can scale from a couple of channels during troubleshooting to a full 16-channel acquisition, and the board still hums along. You might notice that it pairs nicely with SCB‑68 or CB‑68LP terminal blocks for tidy wiring—typically the quickest path to get signals in and out without chasing noise.

Order Placement Process and Our Guarantees

• Warranty period: 365 days
• Delivery time: 1 week for in-stock; no more than one month at the latest
• Payment: 50% advance payment; full payment prior to delivery
• Express delivery methods: FedEx, UPS, DHL

Key Features

• 12‑bit analog input, up to 200 kS/s (aggregate) — suitable for general-purpose measurement, logging, and control.
• 16 AI (single-ended) or 8 AI (differential) — flexible wiring depending on noise and grounding strategy.
• 2 analog outputs — handy for setpoints, simple waveform generation, or actuator control.
• 8 lines of digital I/O — basic handshaking, status, or interlock signals.
• 2 hardware counters/timers — typically 24‑bit, useful for event counting, frequency, or pulse timing.
• PCI bus-powered — no external power supply; drops straight into a standard PCI slot.
• NI-DAQ driver support — works with Traditional NI‑DAQ and, in many cases, NI‑DAQmx on supported OS revisions.
• 68‑pin I/O connectivity — straightforward integration with SCB‑68/CB‑68LP/SH68‑68 cables and accessories.

Technical Specifications

Related or Supporting Products

• NI PCI-6035E — similar E Series with higher-resolution AI (16‑bit); useful if you need more precision at moderate rates.
• NI PCI-6221 (M Series) — 16‑bit, 250 kS/s; a modernized alternative with NI‑DAQmx focus and improved timing.
• NI PCIe-6321 (X Series) — PCIe option with better timing engines and bandwidth for newer PCs.
• SCB‑68 / SCB‑68A — shielded 68‑pin terminal blocks; strain relief and easy field wiring.
• CB‑68LP — low‑profile 68‑pin terminal block for compact panels.
• SH68‑68‑EPM cable — 68‑pin shielded cable for reliable connectivity to the I/O accessory.

Installation & Maintenance

• Cabinet and slot: Install in a clean, dry enclosure; use a standard 32‑bit PCI slot. Ensure adjacent slots allow airflow—these boards benefit from basic chassis ventilation.
• Wiring: Use shielded 68‑pin cables and ground at a single point to reduce ground loops. For differential measurements, wire sensors to the DIFF pairs to improve noise immunity.
• Power & safety: Power down the PC before inserting/removing the card. Observe ESD precautions; handle by edges only.
• Driver & OS: Match the NI‑DAQ version to your OS (many legacy systems run Traditional NI‑DAQ or earlier NI‑DAQmx). If you’re refreshing PCs, double‑check driver support first.
• Routine care: Annual calibration is typical in test environments. Dust the chassis periodically; reseat cable connections if channels show intermittent noise.
• Field feedback: A maintenance engineer at a packaging plant mentioned they replaced a decade-old 6025E with another unit and were collecting data the same afternoon—no code change beyond driver refresh.

Quality & Certifications

• CE marked; RoHS status may vary by vintage and region—compliance documentation can be provided on request.
• Manufactured to NI quality standards; typical conformance with relevant EMC and safety directives for IT/measurement equipment.
• Our warranty: 365 days from shipment.