© National Instruments Corporation 25 NI Digital Multimeters Getting Started Guide
Appendix B: Chassis Recommendations and System Considerations
This appendix specifies the recommended chassis components and conditions for a system that includes 
National Instruments DMMs.
PXI Chassis Recommendations
The NI PXI-4060/4065 and NI PXI-407x are designed to operate in any PXI-compliant chassis. 
Temperature on these DMMs can vary with slot position in the chassis. Complete the following 
recommendations to minimize this temperature variation and ensure normal operating conditions for 
these DMMs:
• Perform routine maintenance of the chassis cooling fan filters, including cleaning. Such 
maintenance ensures continuous cooling effectiveness, keeps dust off the components of the PXI 
DMMs, and ensures accurate high-resistance measurements. NI recommends cleaning the chassis 
fan filters at a maximum interval of six months and keeping the chassis environment clean to 
minimize dust that enters the chassis. For more information about cleaning the chassis fan filters, 
refer to your chassis documentation.
• Install PXI filler panels in all empty slots.
• Verify the PXI chassis fans that provide forced air remain unobstructed and can allow for proper 
cooling of the PXI chassis, devices, and controller.
PXI Express Chassis
Some PXI Express chassis provide hybrid slots. A hybrid slot can accept either PXI Express modules 
or PXI Express compatible modules, but not standard PXI modules.
To determine if your chassis contains hybrid slots, refer to your chassis documentation. For more 
information about hybrid slots, visit 
ni.com/support, and enter PXI Express FAQ in the Search 
field.
Refer to the PXI Express Compatibility section of the NI Digital Multimeters Help, located at Start»
All Programs»National Instruments»NI-DMM»Documentation»NI Digital Multimeters Help, 
to determine if your DMM is PXI or PXI Express compatible and for more information about 
PXI Express compatibility.
PCI Chassis Recommendations
The NI PCI-4060, NI PCI-4065, and NI PCI-4070 are designed to operate in any ATX-compliant 
industrial or personal computer. Complete the following recommendations to ensure normal operating 
conditions for these DMMs:
Caution For optimal electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) performance and input protection, 
you must install the front panel screw.
• Verify the PCI front panel brackets on the NI PCI-4060, NI PCI-4065, and NI PCI-4070 have 
a firm, direct, metal-to-metal mounting connection for proper grounding. Some computer 
manufacturers use a securing lever made of plastic; such a lever is unacceptable for safety reasons, 
and you must remove it. Also, you must screw down the PCI devices. If the computer chassis does 
not allow you to meet these requirements, you must use a different computer chassis.
• Install all covers for the industrial chassis or personal computer.
• Install PCI filler panels in all unused PCI slots.