DEVICE SPECIFICATIONS

NI 6251
M Series Data Acquisition:16 AI, 1.25 MS/s, 24 DIO, 2 AO
The following specifications are typical at 25 C, unless otherwise noted. For more
information about the NI 6251, refer to the M Series User Manual available at ni.com/
manuals.

Analog Input
Number of channels 8 differential or 16 single ended
ADC resolution 16 bits
DNL No missing codes guaranteed
INL Refer to the AI Absolute Accuracy section
Sample rate
Single channel maximum 1.25 MS/s
Multichannel maximum (aggregate) 1.00 MS/s
Minimum No minimum
Timing resolution 50 ns
Timing accuracy 50 ppm of sample rate
Input coupling DC
Input range 0.1 V, 0.2 V, 0.5 V, 1 V, 2 V, 5 V,
10 V
Maximum working voltage for analog 11 V of AI GND
inputs (signal + common mode)
CMRR (DC to 60 Hz) 100 dB
Input impedance
Device on
AI+ to AI GND >10 G in parallel with 100 pF
AI- to AI GND >10 G in parallel with 100 pF
 Device off
AI+ to AI GND 820
AI- to AI GND 820
Input bias current 100 pA
Crosstalk (at 100 kHz)
Adjacent channels -75 dB
Non-adjacent channels -95 dB
Small signal bandwidth (-3 dB) 1.7 MHz
Input FIFO size 4,095 samples
Scan list memory 4,095 entries
Data transfers
PCI/PCI Express/PXI/PXI Express DMA (scatter-gather), interrupts,
programmed I/O
USB USB Signal Stream, programmed I/O
Overvoltage protection for all analog input and sense channels
Device on 25 V for up to four AI pins
Device off 15 V for up to four AI pins
Input current during overvoltage condition 20 mA maximum/AI pin

Settling Time for Multichannel Measurements

Table 1. Settling Time for Multichannel Measurements
60 ppm of Step 15 ppm of Step
Range (4 LSB for Full-Scale Step) (1 LSB for Full-Scale Step)

1 V, 2 V, 5 V, 10 V 1 s 1.5 s

0.5 V 1.5 s 2 s

0.1 V, 0.2 V 2 s 8 s

2 | ni.com | NI 6251 Device Specifications

Typical Performance Graphs
Figure 1. Settling Error versus Time for Different Source Impedances

10 K
1 k
2 k
Error (ppm of Step Size)

5 k
10 k
1K 100

100

10
1 10 100
Time (s)

Figure 2. AI Small Signal Bandwidth

1
0
Normalized Signal Amplitude (dB)

3
4

7
8
1k 10 k 100 k 1000 k 10000 k
Frequency (Hz)

NI 6251 Device Specifications | National Instruments | 3

 Figure 3. AI CMRR

130
120
110
CMRR (dB) 100
90

80

70
60 10 V Range
5 V Range
50
0.1 V Range
40
10 100 1k 10 k 100 k
Frequency (Hz)

AI Absolute Accuracy
Note Accuracies listed are valid for up to two years from the device external
calibration.

Table 2. AI Absolute Accuracy

Nominal Nominal Residual Residual Absolute
Range Range Gain Offset Offset Accuracy
Positive Negative Error Error Tempco Random at Full
Full Full (ppm of (ppm of (ppm of Noise, Scale Sensitivity
Scale Scale Reading) Range) Range/C) (Vrms) (V) (V)

10 -10 60 20 21 280 1,920 112.0

5 -5 70 20 21 140 1,010 56.0

2 -2 70 20 24 57 410 22.8

1 -1 80 20 27 32 220 12.8

0.5 -0.5 90 40 34 21 130 8.4

0.2 -0.2 130 80 55 16 74 6.4

0.1 -0.1 150 150 90 15 52 6.0

4 | ni.com | NI 6251 Device Specifications

 Note Sensitivity is the smallest voltage change that can be detected. It is a function
of noise.

Gain tempco 13 ppm/C

Reference tempco 1 ppm/C
INL error 60 ppm of range

AI Absolute Accuracy Equation

AbsoluteAccuracy = Reading (GainError) + Range (OffsetError) + NoiseUncertainty
GainError = ResidualAIGainError + GainTempco (TempChangeFromLastInternalCal)
+ ReferenceTempco (TempChangeFromLastExternalCal)
OffsetError = ResidualAIOffsetError + OffsetTempco
(TempChangeFromLastInternalCal) + INLError
Random Noise 3
NoiseUncertainty = for a coverage factor of 3 and averaging
100
100 points.

AI Absolute Accuracy Example

Absolute accuracy at full scale on the analog input channels is determined using the following
assumptions:
TempChangeFromLastExternalCal = 10 C
TempChangeFromLastInternalCal = 1 C
number_of_readings = 100
CoverageFactor = 3

For example, on the 10 V range, the absolute accuracy at full scale is as follows:
GainError = 60 ppm + 13 ppm 1 + 1 ppm 10 = 83 ppm
OffsetError = 20 ppm + 21 ppm 1 + 60 ppm = 101 ppm
280 3
NoiseUncertainty = = 84 V
100
AbsoluteAccuracy = 10 V (GainError) + 10 V (OffsetError) + NoiseUncertainty =
1,920 V

Analog Triggers
Number of triggers 1
Source AI <0..15>, APFI 0
Functions Start Trigger, Reference Trigger,
Pause Trigger, Sample Clock, Convert Clock,
Sample Clock Timebase

NI 6251 Device Specifications | National Instruments | 5

Source level
AI <0..15> Full scale
APFI 0 10 V
Resolution 10 bits, 1 in 1,024
Modes Analog edge triggering, analog edge triggering
with hysteresis, and analog window triggering
Bandwidth (-3 dB)
AI <0..15> 3.4 MHz
APFI 0 3.9 MHz
Accuracy 1%
APFI 0 characteristics
Input impedance 10 k
Coupling DC
Protection, power on 30 V
Protection, power off 15 V

Analog Output
Number of channels 2
DAC resolution 16 bits
DNL 1 LSB
Monotonicity 16 bit guaranteed
Accuracy Refer to the AO Absolute Accuracy section
Maximum update rate
1 channel 2.86 MS/s
2 channels 2.00 MS/s per channel
Timing accuracy 50 ppm of sample rate
Timing resolution 50 ns
Output range 5 V, 10 V, external reference on APFI 0
Output coupling DC
Output impedance 0.2
Output current drive 5 mA
Overdrive protection 25 V
Overdrive current 20 mA

6 | ni.com | NI 6251 Device Specifications

Power-on state 5 mV1
Power-on glitch 1.5 V peak for 1.5 s
Output FIFO size 8,191 samples shared among channels used
Data transfers
PCI/PCI Express/PXI/PXI Express DMA (scatter-gather), interrupts,
programmed I/O
USB USB Signal Stream, programmed I/O
AO waveform modes Non-periodic waveform, periodic waveform
regeneration mode from onboard FIFO,
periodic waveform regeneration from host
buffer including dynamic update
Settling time, full-scale step, 2 s
15 ppm (1 LSB)
Slew rate 20 V/s
Glitch energy at midscale transition, 10 V range
Magnitude 10 mV
Duration 1 s

AO Absolute Accuracy
Absolute accuracy at full-scale numbers is valid immediately following internal calibration
and assumes the device is operating within 10 C of the last external calibration.

Note Accuracies listed are valid for up to two years from the device external
calibration.

Table 3. AO Absolute Accuracy

Nominal Nominal Residual Residual Offset Absolute
Range Range Gain Error Gain Offset Tempco Accuracy
Positive Negative (ppm of Tempco Error (ppm (ppm of at Full
Full Scale Full Scale Reading) (ppm/C) of Range) Range/C) Scale (V)

10 -10 75 17 40 2 2,080

5 -5 85 8 40 2 1,045

Reference tempco 1 ppm/C

INL error 64 ppm of range

1 When the USB Screw Terminal device is powered on, the analog output signal is not defined until
after USB configuration is complete.

NI 6251 Device Specifications | National Instruments | 7

AO Absolute Accuracy Equation
AbsoluteAccuracy = OutputValue (GainError) + Range (OffsetError)
GainError = ResidualGainError + GainTempco (TempChangeFromLastInternalCal) +
ReferenceTempco (TempChangeFromLastExternalCal)
OffsetError = ResidualOffsetError + AOOffsetTempco
(TempChangeFromLastInternalCal) + INLError

External Reference
APFI 0 characteristics
Input impedance 10 k
Coupling DC
Protection, device on 30 V
Protection, device off 15 V
Range 11 V
Slew rate 20 V/s

Figure 4. AO External Reference Bandwidth

10
FFFF
0
10 BFFF
Normalized AO Amplitude

20
8FFF
Attenuation (dB)

30
83FF
40
80FF
50
60 803F
70 800F
80 8003 DAC Output CODE (HEX)
90
100 1k 10 k 100 k 1M
Frequency (Hz)

Digital I/O/PFI
Static Characteristics
Number of channels 24 total, 8 (P0.<0..7>),
16 (PFI <0..7>/P1, PFI <8..15>/P2)
Ground reference D GND

8 | ni.com | NI 6251 Device Specifications

Direction control Each terminal individually programmable as
input or output
Pull-down resistor 50 k typical, 20 k minimum
Input voltage protection 20 V on up to two pins2

Waveform Characteristics (Port 0 Only)

Terminals used Port 0 (P0.<0..7>)
Port/sample size Up to 8 bits
Waveform generation (DO) FIFO 2,047 samples
Waveform acquisition (DI) FIFO 2,047 samples
DI Sample Clock frequency
PCI/PCI Express/PXI/PXI Express 0 MHz to 10 MHz, system and bus activity
dependent
USB 0 MHz to 1 MHz, system and bus activity
dependent
DO Sample Clock frequency
PCI/PCI Express/PXI/PXI Express
Regenerate from FIFO 0 MHz to 10 MHz
Streaming from memory 0 to 10 MHz, system and bus activity
dependent
USB
Regenerate from FIFO 0 MHz to 10 MHz
Streaming from memory 0 MHz to 1 MHz, system and bus activity
dependent
Data transfers
PCI/PCI Express/PXI/PXI Express DMA (scatter-gather), interrupts,
programmed I/O
USB USB Signal Stream, programmed I/O
DI or DO Sample Clock source3 Any PFI, RTSI, AI Sample or Convert Clock,
AO Sample Clock, Ctr n Internal Output, and
many other signals

2 Stresses beyond those listed under Input voltage protection may cause permanent damage to the
device.
3 The digital subsystem does not have its own dedicated internal timing engine. Therefore, a sample
clock must be provided from another subsystem on the device or an external source.

NI 6251 Device Specifications | National Instruments | 9

PFI/Port 1/Port 2 Functionality
Functionality Static digital input, static digital output,
timing input, timing output
Timing output sources Many AI, AO, counter, DI, DO timing signals
Debounce filter settings 125 ns, 6.425 s, 2.56 ms, disable; high and
low transitions; selectable per input

Recommended Operating Conditions

Level Minimum Maximum

Input high voltage (VIH) 2.2 V 5.25 V

Input low voltage (VIL) 0V 0.8 V

Output high current (IOH) P0.<0..7> -24 mA

Output high current (IOH) PFI <0..15>/P1/P2 -16 mA

Output low current (IOL) P0.<0..7> 24 mA

Output low current (IOL) PFI <0..15>/P1/P2 16 mA

Electrical Characteristics
Level Minimum Maximum

Positive-going threshold (VT+) 2.2 V

Negative-going threshold (VT-) 0.8 V

Delta VT hystersis (VT+ - VT-) 0.2 V

IIL input low current (Vin = 0 V) -10 A

IIH input high current (Vin = 5 V) 250 A

10 | ni.com | NI 6251 Device Specifications

Digital I/O Characteristics
Figure 5. P0.<0..7>: Ioh versus Voh

0
5 55 C; Vdd = 4.5 V
25 C; Vdd = 5.0 V
10
0 C; Vdd = 5.5 V
15
20
Ioh (mA)

25
30
35
40
45
50
2 3 4 5 6
Voh (V)

Figure 6. PFI <0..15>/P1/P2: Ioh versus Voh

0
5
10
15
20
Ioh (mA)

25
30
35
55 C; Vdd = 4.5 V
40 25 C; Vdd = 5.0 V
45 0 C; Vdd = 5.5 V
50
2 3 4 5 6
Voh (V)

NI 6251 Device Specifications | National Instruments | 11

 Figure 7. P0.<0..7>: Iol versus Vol

40

35

30
Iol (mA) 25

20

15

10 55 C; Vdd = 4.5 V
25 C; Vdd = 5.0 V
5 0 C; Vdd = 5.5 V
0
0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0 1.2
Vol (V)

Figure 8. PFI <0..15>/P1/P2: Iol versus Vol

40

35 55 C; Vdd = 4.5 V
25 C; Vdd = 5.0 V
30 0 C; Vdd = 5.5 V

25
Iol (mA)

20

15

10

0
0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0 1.2
Vol (V)

General-Purpose Counters/Timers
Number of counter/timers 2
Resolution 32 bits
Counter measurements Edge counting, pulse, semi-period, period,
two-edge separation
Position measurements X1, X2, X4 quadrature encoding with
Channel Z reloading; two-pulse encoding
Output applications Pulse, pulse train with dynamic updates,
frequency division, equivalent time sampling

12 | ni.com | NI 6251 Device Specifications

Internal base clocks 80 MHz, 20 MHz, 0.1 MHz
External base clock frequency 0 MHz to 20 MHz
Base clock accuracy 50 ppm
Inputs Gate, Source, HW_Arm, Aux, A, B, Z,
Up_Down
Routing options for inputs Any PFI, RTSI, PXI_TRIG, PXI_STAR,
analog trigger, many internal signals
FIFO 2 samples
Data transfers
PCI/PCI Express/PXI/PXI Express Dedicated scatter-gather DMA controller for
each counter/timer; interrupts, programmed I/O
USB USB Signal Stream, programmed I/O

Frequency Generator
Number of channels 1
Base clocks 10 MHz, 100 kHz
Divisors 1 to 16
Base clock accuracy 50 ppm

Output can be available on any output PFI or RTSI terminal.

Phase-Locked Loop (PLL)

Note PCI/PCI Express/PXI/PXI Express devices only.

Number of PLLs 1
Reference signal PXI_STAR, PXI_CLK10, RTSI <0..7>
Output of PLL 80 MHz Timebase; other signals derived from
80 MHz Timebase including 20 MHz and
100 kHz Timebases

External Digital Triggers

Source Any PFI, RTSI, PXI_TRIG, PXI_STAR
Polarity Software-selectable for most signals

NI 6251 Device Specifications | National Instruments | 13

Analog input function Start Trigger, Reference Trigger,
Pause Trigger, Sample Clock, Convert Clock,
Sample Clock Timebase
Analog output function Start Trigger, Pause Trigger, Sample Clock,
Sample Clock Timebase
Counter/timer function Gate, Source, HW_Arm, Aux, A, B, Z,
Up_Down
Digital waveform generation (DO) Sample Clock
function
Digital waveform acquisition (DI) Sample Clock
function

Device-to-Device Trigger Bus

PCI/PCI Express RTSI <0..7>4
PXI/PXI Express PXI_TRIG <0..7>, PXI_STAR
USB source None
Output selections 10 MHz Clock, frequency generator output,
many internal signals
Debounce filter settings 125 ns, 6.425 s, 2.56 ms, disable; high and
low transitions; selectable per input

Bus Interface
PCI/PXI 3.3 V or 5 V signal environment
PCI Express
Form factor x1 PCI Express, specification v1.0a compliant
Slot compatibility x1, x4, x8, and x16 PCI Express slots5
PXI Express
Form factor x1 PXI Express peripheral module,
specification rev 1.0 compliant
Slot compatibility x1 and x4 PXI Express or PXI Express hybrid
slots

4 In other sections of this document, RTSI refers to RTSI <0..7> for the PCI/PCI Express devices or
PXI_TRIG <0..7> for PXI/PXI Express devices.
5 Some motherboards reserve the x16 for graphics use. For PCI Express guidelines, refer to ni.com/
pciexpress.

14 | ni.com | NI 6251 Device Specifications

USB USB 2.0 Hi-Speed or full-speed6, 7
DMA channels (PCI/PCI Express/ 6, can be used for analog input, analog output,
PXI/PXI Express) digital input, digital output, counter/timer 0,
counter/timer 1
USB Signal Stream 4, can be used for analog input, analog output,
digital input, digital output, counter/timer 0,
counter/timer 1

The PXI device supports one of the following features:

May be installed in PXI Express hybrid slots
Or, may be used to control SCXI in PXI/SCXI combo chassis

Table 4. PXI/SCXI Combo and PXI Express Chassis Compatibility

SCXI Control in PXI/SCXI PXI Express Hybrid Slot
M Series Part Number Combo Chassis Compatible

191325D-03/191325E-03L No Yes
191325D-13/191325E-13L Yes No
191325C-0x/191325B-0x Yes No

The PXI Express device can be installed in PXI Express slots or PXI Express hybrid slots.

Power Requirements
Current draw from bus during no-load condition8
PCI/PXI
+5 V 0.03 A
+3.3 V 0.725 A
+12 V 0.35 A
PCI Express
+3.3 V 0.925 A
+12 V 0.35 A

6 If you are using an USB M Series device in full-speed mode, device performance will be lower and
you will not be able to achieve maximum sample/update rates.
7 Operating on a full-speed bus may result in lower performance.
8 Does not include P0/PFI/P1/P2 and +5 V terminals.

NI 6251 Device Specifications | National Instruments | 15

 PXI Express
+3.3 V 0.45 A
+12 V 0.5 A
Current draw from bus during AI and AO overvoltage condition8
PCI/PXI
+5 V 0.03 A
+3.3 V 1.2 A
+12 V 0.38 A
PCI Express
+3.3 V 1.4 A
+12 V 0.38 A
PXI Express
+3.3 V 0.48 A
+12 V 0.71 A

Caution USB devices must be powered with an NI offered AC adapter or a

National Electric Code (NEC) Class 2 DC source that meets the power requirements
for the device and has appropriate safety certification marks for country of use.

USB power supply requirements 11 to 30 VDC, 20 W, locking or non-locking

power jack with 0.080 in. diameter center pin,
5/16-32 thread for locking collars

Current Limits
Caution Exceeding the current limits may cause unpredictable behavior by the
device and/or PC/chassis.

PCI, +5 V terminal 1 A maximum9

PCI Express
Without disk drive power connector installed
+5 V terminals combined 0.35 A maximum9
P0/PFI/P1/P2 and +5 V 0.39 A maximum
terminals combined

9 Older revisions have a self-resetting fuse that opens when current exceeds this specification. Newer
revisions have a traditional fuse that opens when current exceeds this specification. This fuse is not
customer-replaceable; if the fuse permanently opens, return the device to NI for repair.

16 | ni.com | NI 6251 Device Specifications

 With disk drive power connector installed
+5 V terminal 1 A maximum9
P0/PFI/P1/P2 combined 0.39 A maximum
PXI/PXI Express
+5 V terminal 1 A maximum9
P0/PFI/P1/P2 and +5 V terminals 2 A maximum
combined
USB
+5 V terminal 1 A maximum9
P0/PFI/P1/P2 and +5 V terminals 2 A maximum
combined
Power supply fuse 2 A, 250 V

Physical Characteristics
Dimensions
PCI printed circuit board 10.6 cm 15.5 cm (4.2 in. 6.1 in.)
PCI Express printed circuit board 9.9 cm 16.8 cm (3.9 in. 6.6 in.)
(half-length)
PXI/PXI Express Standard 3U PXI
printed circuit board
USB Screw Terminal enclosure 26.67 cm 17.09 cm 4.45 cm
(includes connectors) (10.5 in. 6.73 in. 1.75 in.)
USB BNC enclosure 28.6 cm 17 cm 6.9 cm
(includes connectors) (11.25 in. 6.7 in. 2.7 in.)
USB Mass Termination 18.8 cm 17.09 cm 4.45 cm
enclosure (includes connectors) (7.4 in. 6.73 in. 1.75 in.)
USB OEM Refer to the NI USB-622x/625x/628x OEM
User Guide
Weight
PCI 149 g (5.2 oz)
PCI Express 161 g (5.7 oz)
PXI 222 g (7.8 oz)
PXI Express 208 g (7.3 oz)
USB Screw Terminal 1.2 kg (2 lb 10 oz)

NI 6251 Device Specifications | National Instruments | 17

 USB Mass Termination 816 g (1 lb 12.8 oz)
USB OEM 140 g (4.9 oz)
I/O connector
PCI/PCI Express/PXI/PXI Express 1 68-pin VHDCI
USB Screw Terminal 64 screw terminals
USB BNC 21 BNCs and 30 screw terminals
Mass Termination 1 68-pin SCSI
PCI Express disk drive power Standard ATX peripheral connector
(not serial ATA)
USB Screw Terminal/BNC screw terminal 16 to 28 AWG
wiring

Calibration
Recommended warm-up time
PCI/PXI/PCI Express/PXI Express 15 minutes
USB 30 minutes
Calibration interval 2 years

Maximum Working Voltage

Maximum working voltage refers to the signal voltage plus the common-mode voltage.

Channel-to-earth 11 V, Measurement Category I

Measurement Category I is for measurements performed on circuits not directly connected to

the electrical distribution system referred to as MAINS voltage. MAINS is a hazardous live
electrical supply system that powers equipment. This category is for measurements of voltages
from specially protected secondary circuits. Such voltage measurements include signal levels,
special equipment, limited-energy parts of equipment, circuits powered by regulated low-
voltage sources, and electronics.

Caution Do not use for measurements within Categories II, III, or IV.

Note Measurement Categories CAT I and CAT O (Other) are equivalent. These test
and measurement circuits are not intended for direct connection to the MAINS
building installations of Measurement Categories CAT II, CAT III, or CAT IV.

18 | ni.com | NI 6251 Device Specifications

Environmental
Operating temperature
PCI/PXI/PXI Express 0 C to 55 C
PCI Express 0 C to 50 C
USB 0 C to 45 C
Storage temperature -20 C to 70 C
Humidity 10% RH to 90% RH, noncondensing
Maximum altitude 2,000 m
Pollution Degree (indoor use only) 2

Indoor use only.

Shock and Vibration (PXI and PXI Express

Only)
Operational shock 30 g peak, half-sine, 11 ms pulse (Tested in
accordance with IEC 60068-2-27. Test profile
developed in accordance with
MIL-PRF-28800F.)
Random vibration
Operating 5 Hz to 500 Hz, 0.3 grms
Nonoperating 5 Hz to 500 Hz, 2.4 grms (Tested in accordance
with IEC 60068-2-64. Nonoperating test
profile exceeds the requirements of
MIL-PRF-28800F, Class 3.)

Safety
This product is designed to meet the requirements of the following electrical equipment safety
standards for measurement, control, and laboratory use:
IEC 61010-1, EN 61010-1
UL 61010-1, CSA 61010-1
Note For UL and other safety certifications, refer to the product label or the Online
Product Certification section.

NI 6251 Device Specifications | National Instruments | 19

Electromagnetic Compatibility
This product meets the requirements of the following EMC standards for electrical equipment
for measurement, control, and laboratory use:
EN 61326-1 (IEC 61326-1): Class A emissions; Basic immunity
EN 55011 (CISPR 11): Group 1, Class A emissions
AS/NZS CISPR 11: Group 1, Class A emissions
FCC 47 CFR Part 15B: Class A emissions
ICES-001: Class A emissions

Note In the United States (per FCC 47 CFR), Class A equipment is intended for
use in commercial, light-industrial, and heavy-industrial locations. In Europe,
Canada, Australia, and New Zealand (per CISPR 11) Class A equipment is intended
for use only in heavy-industrial locations.

Note Group 1 equipment (per CISPR 11) is any industrial, scientific, or medical
equipment that does not intentionally generate radio frequency energy for the
treatment of material or inspection/analysis purposes.

Note For EMC declarations and certifications, refer to the Online Product
Certification section.

CE Compliance
This product meets the essential requirements of applicable European Directives, as follows:
2014/35/EU; Low-Voltage Directive (safety)
2014/30/EU; Electromagnetic Compatibility Directive (EMC)
2011/65/EU; Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS)

Online Product Certification

Refer to the product Declaration of Conformity (DoC) for additional regulatory compliance
information. To obtain product certifications and the DoC for this product, visit ni.com/
certification, search by model number or product line, and click the appropriate link in the
Certification column.

Environmental Management
NI is committed to designing and manufacturing products in an environmentally responsible
manner. NI recognizes that eliminating certain hazardous substances from our products is
beneficial to the environment and to NI customers.

20 | ni.com | NI 6251 Device Specifications

For additional environmental information, refer to the Minimize Our Environmental Impact
web page at ni.com/environment. This page contains the environmental regulations and
directives with which NI complies, as well as other environmental information not included in
this document.

Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE)

EU Customers At the end of the product life cycle, all NI products must be
disposed of according to local laws and regulations. For more information about
how to recycle NI products in your region, visit ni.com/environment/weee.

RoHS
National Instruments
(RoHS) National Instruments RoHS
ni.com/environment/rohs_china(For information about China RoHS
compliance, go to ni.com/environment/rohs_china.)

NI 6251 Device Specifications | National Instruments | 21

Device Pinouts
Figure 9. NI PCI/PCIe/PXI/PXIe-6251 Pinout

AI 0 68 34 AI 8
AI GND 67 33 AI 1
AI 9 66 32 AI GND
AI 2 65 31 AI 10

CONNECTOR 0
AI GND 64 30 AI 3

(AI 0-15)
AI 11 63 29 AI GND
AI SENSE 62 28 AI 4
AI 12 61 27 AI GND
AI 5 60 26 AI 13
AI GND 59 25 AI 6
AI 14 58 24 AI GND
AI 7 57 23 AI 15 TERMINAL 68 TERMINAL 34
AI GND 56 22 AO 0
AO GND 55 21 AO 1
AO GND 54 20 APFI 0
D GND 53 19 P0.4
P0.0 52 18 D GND
P0.5 51 17 P0.1
D GND 50 16 P0.6
P0.2 49 15 D GND
P0.7 48 14 +5 V
P0.3 47 13 D GND
PFI 11/P2.3 46 12 D GND TERMINAL 35 TERMINAL 1
PFI 10/P2.2 45 11 PFI 0/P1.0
D GND 44 10 PFI 1/P1.1
PFI 2/P1.2 43 9 D GND
PFI 3/P1.3 42 8 +5 V
PFI 4/P1.4 41 7 D GND
PFI 13/P2.5 40 6 PFI 5/P1.5
PFI 15/P2.7 39 5 PFI 6/P1.6
PFI 7/P1.7 38 4 D GND
PFI 8/P2.0 37 3 PFI 9/P2.1
D GND 36 2 PFI 12/P2.4
D GND 35 1 PFI 14/P2.6

22 | ni.com | NI 6251 Device Specifications

 Figure 10. NI USB-6251 Screw Terminal Pinout

17 AI 4 81 PFI 8/P2.0
AI 0 1 P0.0 65
18 AI 12 82 D GND
AI 8 2 P0.1 66
19 AI GND 83 PFI 9/P2.1
AI GND 3 P0.2 67
20 AI 5 84 D GND
AI 1 4 P0.3 68
21 AI 13 85 PFI 10/P2.2
AI 9 5 P0.4 69
22 AI GND 86 D GND
AI GND 6 P0.5 70
23 AI 6 87 PFI 11/P2.3
AI 2 7 P0.6 71
24 AI 14 88 D GND
AI 10 8 P0.7 72
25 AI GND 89 PFI 12/P2.4
AI GND 9 PFI 0/P1.0 73
26 AI 7 90 D GND
AI 3 10 PFI 1/P1.1 74
27 AI 15 91 PFI 13/P2.5
AI 11 11 PFI 2/P1.2 75
28 AI GND 92 D GND
AI GND 12 PFI 3/P1.3 76
29 APFI 0 93 PFI 14/P2.6
AI SENSE 13 PFI 4/P1.4 77
30 AI GND 94 D GND
AI GND 14 PFI 5/P1.5 78
31 AO 1 95 PFI 15/P2.7
AO 0 15 PFI 6/P1.6 79
32 AO GND 96 +5 V
AO GND 16 PFI 7/P1.7 80

NI 6251 Device Specifications | National Instruments | 23

 Figure 11. NI USB-6251 BNC Front Panel and Pinout

24 | ni.com | NI 6251 Device Specifications

Figure 12. NI USB-6251 Mass Termination Pinout

AI 8 34 68 AI 0
AI 1 33 67 AI GND
AI GND 32 66 AI 9
AI 10 31 65 AI 2
AI 3 30 64 AI GND
AI GND 29 63 AI 11
AI 4 28 62 AI SENSE
AI GND 27 61 AI 12
AI 13 26 60 AI 5
AI 6 25 59 AI GND
AI GND 24 58 AI 14
AI 15 23 57 AI 7
AO 0 22 56 AI GND
AO 1 21 55 AO GND
APFI 0 20 54 AO GND
P0.4 19 53 D GND
D GND 18 52 P0.0
P0.1 17 51 P0.5
P0.6 16 50 D GND
D GND 15 49 P0.2
+5 V 14 48 P0.7
D GND 13 47 P0.3
D GND 12 46 PFI 11/P2.3
PFI 0/P1.0 11 45 PFI 10/P2.2
PFI 1/P1.1 10 44 D GND
D GND 9 43 PFI 2/P1.2
+5 V 8 42 PFI 3/P1.3
D GND 7 41 PFI 4/P1.4
PFI 5/P1.5 6 40 PFI 13/P2.5
PFI 6/P1.6 5 39 PFI 15/P2.7
D GND 4 38 PFI 7/P1.7
PFI 9/P2.1 3 37 PFI 8/P2.0
PFI 12/P2.4 2 36 D GND
PFI 14/P2.6 1 35 D GND

CONNECTOR 0
(AI 015)
TERMINAL 68 TERMINAL 35

TERMINAL 34 TERMINAL 1

NI 6251 Device Specifications | National Instruments | 25

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375213C-01 Jun16