Mesa 7i76E Overview & Single Ended vs Differential Mode Signals

In this video I talk about the Mesa 7i76E CNC controller card. I look at how power is applied to the logic and I/O sections, as well as single ended and differential signals for the stepper controllers. I also take a look at the 7i76E version vs the 7i76ED version which has sinking outputs. For the field inputs I talk about why it a good idea, if using proximity sensors, to select PNP type vs NPN.
If you see any errors or something I missed please mention it in the comment section below.
Chapters...
0:00 - Intro
0:15 - Logic Section, Input/Output Section, and Power Connectors
1:25 - Logic Section Power Input
2:15 - I/O Section Power Input (Orange Connector)
3:39 - Powering On the Board, LED indicators Light Up
4:06 - Vin Terminal and W1 Jumper
5:26 - Isolated Field Power for 5VDC Field I/O
8:00 - 5 Volt Field Power... Not Recommended
8:25 - 7i76E vs. 7i76ED version - Sourcing Outputs vs. Sinking Outputs
9:43 - Sinking Outputs Feature of 7i76ED Only Applies to Outputs not Inputs
9:57 - PNP Proximity Sensors (PNP, NC) for Field Inputs
10:23 - Single Ended Mode vs. Differential Mode Step and Direction
10:56 - Single Ended Mode Wiring for Step and Direction Signals
11:43 - Differential Mode Wiring for Step and Direction Signals
12:24 - Conclusion and Images of the 7i76E with Color Keyed Connector IDs

[@i_might_be_lying]

Amazing card description! So far the best video that I saw on 7i76e. Thanks a lot!

[@joat_mon]

Thanks!
...and, your welcome.

[@The_Unobtainium]

I agree

[@JR-qs5kx]

This is SUPER helpful, thank you for the clear explanation!

[@DZ-gj6qz]

Great video, it helps a lot in understanding the 7i76e. This is the best resource for the 7i76e! Thank you

[@rusticagenerica]

Thank you SO MUCH for all the work you put into this very detailed explanation. God bless you.

[@BenM0]

super useful information,thanks a lot for sharing 👍🙏

[@Unl0gic]

Great video, very informative!

[@joat_mon]

Thanks.

[@wiremonkeyshop]

Bravo!

[@BillUhde]

Thank you for that !

[@joat_mon]

You're welcome.

[@44mod]

I really like the way you explain everything so a old country boy like myself can understand and keep up with. what card would your recommend to use with a CNC mill or lathe. The lathe is a G0602 the Mill is Harbor freight. I am going to use Linux CNC. Both of these I will have to convert into CNC. Just starting my research. Any advice would be helpful.

[@joat_mon]

I'm not really the one to ask. This is my first LinuxCNC build too. When I was doing research many people recommended the Mesa 7i76E card. It has plenty of I/O, Spindle control, and encoder input. I mainly chose the Mesa 7i76E because I wasn't (and aren't) really sure how much I'm going to build out the G0704 Mill. Power drawbar? Tool changer? The Mesa card provides me with the option to do as much as I want to.
That said. I've been reading on-line, that Mesa is out of stock at the moment (Fall of 2022) do to IC chip availability. Hopefully that will get sorted out by sometime in the first half of 2023.

[@adammontgomery7980]

Great information. I want to get one of these cards soon to play around with. A few questions: what kind of enclosure is that? And doesn't the 7i76ED allow higher current devices to be driven since it's syncing current?

[@joat_mon]

The Enclosure is a Qilipsu 20-inch which can be found here...
www.amazon.com/gp/product/B092QL1745/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
...and I talk about it in this video: czcams.com/video/w0xYw-2frEo/video.html
Regarding the output current of the 7I76ED... The documentation states (all caps in the documentation, I'm not yelling):
FIELD OUTPUT CURRENT ---- 350 mA Per output
(RESISTIVE LOADS AND INDUCTIVE LOADS WITH FLYBACK DIODE)
FIELD OUTPUT CURRENT ---- 60 mA Per output
(INDUCTIVE LOADS WITH NO FLYBACK DIODE)
PER DRIVER CHIP CURRENT ---- 1.4A Per chip
This is for both the 7I76E and 7I76ED versions.
My board has OnSemi NCV7608 Octal Configurable Low/High Side Driver chips for the field output drivers.
The current rating, from the data sheet, is the same for both sinking and sourcing (which is stated above).
So, to answer your question, no the 7I76ED does not allow higher current devices due to its sinking current configuration... based on my research.
Hope this helps.
Edited for typo.

[@ashgork]

Hello, Where can I buy it in Europe ? Thank you in advance !

[@joat_mon]

Sorry, I'm not affiliated with Mesa Electronics so I don't have that information first hand.
That said, the LinuxCNC forum is a good place to look for information. Have a look in the LinuxCNC forum under... Hardware & Machines -> Driver Boards -> Mesa Suppliers.
Good luck with your CNC build.