The National Instruments 778636-02, known as the PXI-1042Q, is a technologically advanced eight-slot PXI chassis designed to meet the demanding power and cooling requirements of modern PXI applications. This chassis is particularly suitable for office, laboratory, and educational environments where minimizing acoustic noise is essential. It features a detachable, high-performance AC power supply and supports both 3U PXI and CompactPCI modules, making it highly versatile.

The chassis incorporates a robust 8-slot PXI backplane and an optimized structural design to enhance usability across a variety of applications. The modular architecture facilitates easy maintenance, resulting in a low mean time to repair (MTTR). It accepts PXI and CompactPCI (PICMG 2.0 R3.0) modules, further increasing its adaptability to diverse system requirements. The 3U chassis benefits from an automated voltage and frequency range on its universal AC input, eliminating the need for AC-input fuses, and includes a push-reset circuit breaker for over-current protection.

A significant advantage of this model is its detachable modular power-supply shuttle, which simplifies maintenance. The chassis boasts an accessible On/Off (Standby) switch on the front panel, along with remote voltage monitoring capabilities via a rear-panel connector. Its built-in temperature-sensing module enhances cooling efficiency by adjusting fan speeds according to air intake temperatures, contributing to reduced audible noise levels. The front-panel LED indicators offer real-time monitoring of power supply status, informing users promptly in the event of a failure.

Designed with portability in mind, the 778636-02 includes a carrying handle and tilt feet for bench-top applications. Its forced air cooling system employs two 51 CFM fans within a sophisticated design that directs airflow from the bottom rear, effectively managing cooling across slots with a per-slot capacity of 25 W. Overall, the PXI-1042Q chassis combines reliability, versatility, and user-friendliness, making it a stellar choice for any PXI-based system.