NI GPIB-140A | National Instruments GPIB Extender 2-Port

Description Product Introduction GPIB cables are limited to 20 meters total length and 14 devices. That’s fine for a single rack, but what if your instruments are in different rooms? The GPIB-140A sits between two GPIB segments and extends that distance—up to 300 meters with fiber, 20 meters with copper. It’s completely transparent to the controller and your software. What’s the difference between the 140A and the older 140? The “A” revision added support for higher data rates and improved handshake timing. In my experience, the 140A is the go-to when you need to locate a noisy spectrum analyzer or power supply away from the control PC. Two units required—one at each end. No configuration, no drivers. Just connect and go. Key Technical Specifications Parameter Value Model GPIB-140A Part Number 778078-140A Brand National Instruments Product Type GPIB Extender / Repeater Compliance IEEE 488.1, IEEE 488.2 Maximum Distance (Fiber) 300 meters (1,000 ft) Maximum Distance (Copper) 20 meters (65 ft) Connectors GPIB (IEEE 488) on front, fiber/copper expansion port on rear Data Rate Up to 1.5 MB/s (typical) Number of Devices per Segment 14 maximum (per extender) Transparency Transparent to software—no driver changes needed LED Indicators Power, transmit, receive, error Power Supply External 9 VDC (included) Temperature Rating 0 °C to 55 °C operating Mounting Desktop or rack-mount optional Dimensions Compact benchtop enclosure Firmware / Software Versions & Upgrade Notes Here’s the straightforward part: the GPIB-140A is a hardware extender. No firmware. No software configuration. No User Firmware: The unit uses fixed logic for signal repeating. There’s nothing to flash or upgrade. Hardware Revision: Look for Rev 2 or later on the bottom label. Rev 1 had a known issue with the fiber optic transceiver sensitivity—it would occasionally drop packets at long distances. Rev 2 upgraded the transceiver. Configuration: Zero configuration required. Just: Connect GPIB cable from controller to first 140A Connect fiber or copper cable between the two 140A units Connect second 140A to the remote GPIB devices Apply power to both units Compatibility: Works with any GPIB controller and any GPIB instrument. No NI-488.2 driver updates needed—it looks like a standard GPIB segment to both ends. LED Diagnostics: Green Power = unit on Yellow TX = transmitting data Yellow RX = receiving data Red Error = communication error (check cable, distance, or second unit) Compatibility & Replacement Matrix Use this when extending GPIB distances or troubleshooting communication issues. Original Model Replacement Model Compatibility Level Key Notes GPIB-140A GPIB-140A Drop-in Identical part. Direct replacement. GPIB-140 GPIB-140A Drop-in GPIB-140 is the older version. 140A supersedes it with better fiber transceivers. Same function, same connectors. Direct replacement. GPIB-140A GPIB-120A Incompatible GPIB-120A is an expander (increases device count), not an extender. Different function. GPIB-140A GPIB-130 Incompatible GPIB-130 is a fiber optic extender for long distances (2 km). Different hardware, but similar concept. Requires different transceivers. GPIB-140A GPIB-USB-HS Incompatible GPIB-USB-HS is a controller interface, not an extender. ACH550-PD-06A9-4 PLC ACH550-UH-031A-2 PLC ACH550-UH-08A8-4 ACS101-2K1-1 PLC ACS103-4K1-1 PLC ACS103K75-1 DCS Email: [email protected] Phone: 86 15340683922 Sales:Wu Jiedong Our products are guaranteed for 1 year, with new and original production stopped and imported spare parts. All prices listed on the official website are subject to confirmation by contact: Wu Jiedong (manager). Our product: brand new original packaging Our warranty: All new or repaired parts have a 12 month warranty period beginning Our payment: 100% telegraphic transfer of inventory items before shipment, conditions can be proposed! If you have any downtime spare parts that you cannot find, please feel free to call or use email to contact me. If there are issues that the product cannot solve, please contact me. Product prices can be negotiated. Please do not consider contacting me!