User`s guide

2 - General Information
22
Front Panel Controls
The front panel has both rotary (RPG) and keypad controls for setting the output voltage and current. The
panel display provides digital readouts of a number of output measurements. Annunciators display the
operating status of the dc source. System keys let you perform system functions such as setting the GPIB
address and recalling operating states. Front panel Function keys access the dc source function menus.
Front panel Entry keys let you select and enter parameter values. Refer to chapter 5 for a complete
description of the front panel controls.
Remote Programming
NOTE: When shipped, all units are set to the SCPI programming language. The language setting
is saved in non-volatile memory.
To change the programming language from SCPI to COMPatibility language, press the
front panel
Address key, use R
RR
R to scroll to the LANG command, press ä
ää
ä to select
COMP, then press
Enter. Refer to the chapters 6 through 8 for further information about
remote programming.
The dc source may be remotely programmed via the GPIB bus and/or from an RS-232 serial port. GPIB
programming is with SCPI commands (Standard Commands for Programmable Instruments), which make
the dc source programs compatible with those of other GPIB instruments. Dc source status registers
allow remote monitoring of a wide variety of dc source operating conditions. A Compatibility language
mode is also included to make the dc source compatible with the Agilent 6632A, 6633A, and 6634A
Series dc power supplies (refer to appendix E). Note that the compatibility features of this unit are
limited to the features that were originally available on Agilent 6632A, 6633A, and 6634A units.
Output Characteristic
The dc source's output characteristic is shown in the following figure. The output of the dc source may be
adjusted to any value within the boundaries shown.
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 seven milliseconds, the current limit amplifier will limit the
current to 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. Figure 2-1 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 1.2 amperes at the full
rated voltage, to 2.8 amperes at zero output voltage.