User Manual
13
Front Panel Operation
The electronic load provides the following modes:
• Constant current (CC) operation mode
• Constant voltage (CV) operation mode
• Constant resistance (CR) operation mode
• Constant power (CW) operation mode
3.1 Local Mode/Remote Mode
The 8500B series can either be operated locally or remotely. When in “Remote” mode, the RMT indicator will be lit.
When in this mode, the front panel of the load is disabled and all commands are issued via the serial interface. In order
to exit “Remote” mode and work in “Local” mode, press the “Local” button. This is the small grey button on the left
hand side of the numeric keypad.
3.2 Constant Current (CC) Mode
In this mode, the load will draw the specied current as long as the source is capable of delivering it. The load uses
transistors in parallel to implement the load circuit, and as such there are some limits. For example, the load has a nite
minimum resistance determined by the RdsOn of the transistors. Next, given the resistance limits, there is a limit to the
amount of current that may be drawn for a given voltage. The datasheet shows curves for this limit in the section called
“Low Voltage Operation”. Please refer to the datasheet for details for each model.
3.2.1 Congure CC Parameters
There are several parameters that should be setup prior to operating in CC mode. First, enable the “CC” mode of
operation by pressing the CC mode key. Next, enter the setup menu by pressing “Shift” and then the “CV” key. Above
the “CV” key, “Setup” is written. The following are the available menu items, scroll through them with the up/down
arrow keys or by entering a value and pressing enter.
Range This denes the maximum allowed current set value. Use this limit to protect against acciden-
tally entering excessive current values either from the keypad or dial.
High This is the voltage high limit for the automatic test mode, it does not apply otherwise. During
automatic test mode, the device under test (DUT) must be operating below the congured value
for the test to PASS upon completion. If the DUT operates above the congured value, the test
will FAIL upon completion.
Low This parameter refers to the voltage low limit for the automatic test mode. During automatic
test mode, the DUT must be operating above the congured value for the test to PASS upon
completion. If the DUT operates below the congured value, the test will FAIL upon comple-
tion.
Rise Up/ Fall Down These parameters dene the current slew rate of the load as it changes to a new programmed
value. The programmed slew rate takes eect immediately when set, so if the transient or trig-
gered modes are active, it will apply immediately.