Filter
Top Products
General Information - 2
21
Output 1 Characteristic
The dc source's main output (output 1) characteristic is shown in the following figure. The main output of
the dc source may be adjusted to any value within the boundaries shown.
Output
Voltage
Output
Current
3A
15V
ISET
-2.8A
VSET
C
C
r
e
s
i
s
t
i
v
e
l
o
a
d
l
i
n
e
C
V
r
e
s
i
s
t
i
v
e
l
o
a
d
l
i
n
e
0
1
2
+-
5A
-1.2A
Peak Current
capability for up
to 7 ms shown
by dotted lines
Figure 2-1. Dc Source Output 1 Characteristic
The dc source is capable of providing a constant dc output of 15 volts with up to 3 amperes of current. It
is capable of sourcing peak currents of up to 5 amperes -- provided the peak current pulse does not
exceed 7 milliseconds, and the average current requirement does not exceed 3 amperes. If the unit
attempts to draw current for longer than 7 milliseconds, the current limit amplifier will limit the current
to a maximum of 3.0712 amps. The peak current capability is illustrated by the dotted line in Figure 2-1.
NOTE: To source up to 5 amperes of current for up to 7 milliseconds, the current limit must
be programmed for greater than 3 amperes (up to a maximum of 3.0712 A).
The dc source can operate in either constant voltage (CV) or constant current (CC) over the rated output
voltage and current. Although the dc source can operate in either mode, it is designed as a constant
voltage source. This means that the unit turns on in constant voltage mode with the output voltage rising
to its Vset value. There is no command for constant current operation. The only way to turn the unit on in
constant current mode is by placing a short across the output and then enabling or turning the output on.
Note that the dc source cannot be programmed to operate in a specific mode. After initial turn-on, the
operating mode of the unit will be determined by the voltage setting, current setting, and the load
resistance. In figure 2-1, operating point 1 is defined by the load line traversing the positive operating
quadrant in the constant voltage region. Operating point 2 is defined by the load line traversing the
positive operating quadrant in the constant current region.
Figure 2-1 also shows a single range − two quadrant capability. This means that the dc source is capable
of sourcing as well as sinking current over the output voltage range from zero volts to the rated voltage.
This negative current sinking capability provides fast downprogramming of the output of the dc source. It
can also be used to sink current from a battery charger, thus providing battery charger test capability. The
negative current is not programmable, and varies linearly from approximately 1.2 amperes at the full
rated voltage, to approximately 2.8 amperes at zero output voltage.