Combining output channels of 651x

[rmoss78]

I'm using the PXI 6514 Industrial Digital I/O board to drive a single load and am wondering if it the output channels can be connected together in order to get more current drive capability. For example, if one channel can source 75mA, should I physically short all 8 output on the port together and write the same value to the whole port in order to get a current capability of 600mA? The user's manual doesn't seem to address this issue.

Thanks,
Robert

[kekin]

I believe that you cannot do that.

The reason being that whenever the 0V to 5V or 5V to 0V transition happens; all the outputs will not change at the same time & hence for short period of time the 5V supply & GND(i.e 0V) will get shorted & there will be large current flow which can damage the card.

The shorting is possible only if the outputs are open collector type & not TTL type.You can Google on these topics to learn more.

However why don't u use the darlington pair current drives to supply that much large current at each output line?