NI PXI-2568 Relay Replacement

NI Switches

NI PXI-2568 Relay Replacement

The NI PXI-2568 uses electromechanical armature relays.

Refer to the following table for information about ordering replacement relays.

Relay Manufacturer Part Number
AXICOM (Tyco Electronics) IM42GR (3-1462037-1)

Relay Kit Part Number
National Instruments (10 relays) 779356-01

Complete the following sets of steps to disassemble your module and replace a failed relay.

Disassemble the Module


  1. Ground yourself using a grounding strap or a ground connected to your PXI chassis.
    Note  Properly grounding yourself prevents damage to your module from electrostatic discharge.
  2. Locate the relay you want to replace. Refer to the following figure and table for relay locations.

    Channel
    Name
    Relay
    Name
    Channel
    Name
    Relay
    Name
    CH0 K1 CH16 K17
    CH1 K2 CH17 K18
    CH2 K3 CH18 K19
    CH3 K4 CH19 K20
    CH4 K5 CH20 K21
    CH5 K6 CH21 K22
    CH6 K7 CH22 K23
    CH7 K8 CH23 K24
    CH8 K9 CH24 K25
    CH9 K10 CH25 K26
    CH10 K11 CH26 K27
    CH11 K12 CH27 K28
    CH12 K13 CH28 K29
    CH13 K14 CH29 K30
    CH14 K15 CH30 K31
    CH15 K16
  3. Remove the four screws that secure the top-side lead cover. Retain the plastic spacers for reassembly.

    1 Screws
    2 Top-side lead cover
    3 Plastic spacers

Replace the Relay

Make sure you have the following:

  • Temperature-regulated soldering iron set to 300 °C
  • 60/40 Lead/Tin solder (flux core)
  • Solder wick
  • Fine pick
  • Isopropyl alcohol
  • Cotton swabs

If you have a surface mount rework station, replace the relay as you would any other surface mount part. Otherwise, complete the following steps to replace the relay:

  1. Use the soldering iron and solder wick to remove as much solder from the relay pads as possible. Do not leave the soldering iron on any lead for more than 5 seconds.
    Note  If it is necessary to reapply the soldering iron to the pad, allow the connection to cool completely before reapplying the soldering iron.
  2. Apply heat to the pads one at a time, and use the pick to gently pry the relay pins from the pads. Make sure that the solder is molten before prying.
    Caution  Using excessive force on a soldered pad can result in lifting the PCB trace and ruining the daughterboard.
  3. Remove the relay.
  4. Clean the pads with isopropyl alcohol and cotton swabs.
  5. Place the new relay on the PCB pads and solder.
  6. Remove the excess flux with isopropyl alcohol and cotton swabs.
    Caution  Do not use flux remover to clean the board after relay replacement.

Reassemble the Module


Reassemble your module using the screws and the plastic spacers removed in Disassemble the Module, step 3.

Tip  In NI-SWITCH 3.1 or later, you can use the Switch Soft Front panel to reset the relay count after you have replaced a failed relay.