User manual
Doc-ID: EAPCEN Page 13
Date: 16.12.2015
8.1 Sequencing
Sequencing requires to select a sequence file for a device, which is tested for compatibility. In case there are errors in
the file they are pointed out in a pop-up window. The installation of this software includes an example sequence file in
path “C:\Users\<user>\Documents\EAPowerControl\example_sequence_file.csv“ which is preselected after in the soft-
ware. You can use this file as a start and edit it according to your requirements.
Editing can done outside of EA Power Control or started from within the app window “SeqLog” or the “Options” win-
dow.
Before the start of sequencing the file is checked again in order to cover unnoticed external editing.
Basic rules:
All set values (U, I, P and R) must match the nominal values of the device for which the sequence file is going
to be opened. If you just open a sequence which was originally made for a 200 V model for an 80 V model, a
single voltage value in any row which exceeds 80 V will cause rejection of the file.
Time values have a minimum of 500 ms and vary in steps of 100 ms. Thus values of e.g. 1.25 s would not be
accepted.
A single sequence file can be opened for multiple identical devices to have parallel sequencing, as long as the
nominal values match. This is true for models PS 9080-170 and PSI 9080-170, even if the PS model does not
feature resistance mode, but would be true for ELR 9080-170 and PSI 9080-170, because they have a different
nominal power.
The app “SeqLog” can be started multiple times for up to 10 devices. For every device, a separate sequence
file can be selected. It is not possible to start Sequencing in all open SeqLog windows at once. For this, app
“Multi Control” can be used. See 12. App „Multi Control“.
After a valid sequence file has been opened and the device is in remote control, sequencing can be started in the app
window “SeqLog”. The current processed step is copied from the sequence file to the lower part of the window. The
progress bar indicates progression of one cycle of the sequence file. A countdown shows the remaining time of the
sequence (number of repetitions x total time of all rows in the sequence file), while a repetition counter counts the number
of repetitions, unless repetition was set to “Infinite loop”.
Following applies additionally:
Sequencing either stops automatically at the end of a sequence resp. if the desired number of repetitions has been
reached or because of device alarms like OV.
Sequencing cannot be paused. Every start after a stop, no matter if manually or due to a device alarm, will start the
sequence file all over
Logging can be started and also stopped automatically with sequencing. There are separate settings in the “Option”
windows, in tab “Logging”.
Logging can only be started, no matter if manually or automatically, if a log file has been defined, which must be
completely accessible for the software, i.e. not locked.
Paths and file names of sequence and logging files, once selected and assigned for a specific device, are stored in
an INI file and recalled the next time the device if detected by search for devices.
When opening a sequence file for a device which doesn’t feature resistance mode, the entries in columns “R set”
and “R mode” are shown as “N/A” (not available)
Tips for sequenced operation:
With the start of sequencing, the DC output/input of the device can be switched on or off and values are set as defined
by the 1
st
sequence row. This can lead to unexpected voltage steps on the DC output of a power supply. To avoid
this you might want to add another row as 1
st
row where the voltage set value is 0 and the DC input/output is set to
off.
With power supplies only: the voltage setting of in a sequence row can be very different to the voltage setting of the
previous or next row. In such a case, where the voltage has been set in the previous row to much higher than in the
current row, the voltage would have to sink first, which can take more time than defined for the current row, depending
on the load. This can even result in the next row not working as expected regarding voltage level and period of step.