User manual

Doc-ID: EAPCEN Page 15
Date: 16.12.2015
8.1.2 The sequence file format
The sequence file has to be in file format CSV, but with values separated by semicolons instead of commas, as MS
Excel creates them. The reason to use semicolons here is because commas are used for decimal places of numbers in
most european countries.
The installed example_sequence_file.csv depicts the required format of the sequence file.
It’s recommended to store the example sequence file as template for any new sequence file to be made.
The sequence file format (example) is built like this:
Note: compared to previous versions of EA Power Control, Sequencing now supports resistance mode (where featured)
and the sequence file has been extended by two columns. Older sequence files are compatible and can be used, be-
cause the two columns are not required.
The sequence file also has to follow these rules:
 Row 1 is used as headline and must not be used as 1
st
sequence step.
 The texts in columns A and B are not required, but are intended to help describing (column B) and counting (column
A) the steps.
 All values in columns C thru E, unless left empty – which is allowed, must not exceed the corresponding nominal
values of the device which the file is opened for, else the sequence is rejected and the software will pop up an error
list. Example: you create a sequence file for an 80 V model and in one row you define 50 V. This sequence file could
not be loaded for a 40 V model.
 Columns G thru J must only not be empty and must only contains number.
 Column K is only checked for validity if the sequence is loaded for a device which features resistance mode. Entries
in this column can be empty or contain the string OFF (=resistance mode UIR not active) or ON.
 Column L is only checked for validity if the sequence is loaded for a device which features resistance mode. Entries
in this column can be empty or if they’re not empty, the must contain a value which has to be within the minimum and
maximum resistance definition for the particular device model.
8.2 Logging
Device data can be recorded at almost any time, also while the device is not in remote control. It means, it is possible
to control a device via its analog interface (except for PS 5000 series) and record data through a digital interface in EA
Power Control, to do logging that is.
Logging can be started manually by pressing a button or automatically along with Sequencing, if this option is enabled
and a log file has been defined. The “Options” windows offers the necessary settings.
Following generally applies for Logging:
 Logging can be started anytime if a log file has been defined and set up for the particular device.
 In case Logging is started automatically with Sequencing, it also can be stopped anytime manually or it stops auto-
matically once Sequencing stops or if “Stop Logging on error” is enabled and an error occurs.
 The “Options” window gives the choice to either create a new log file or open one for reuse.
o Attention! Be careful with the record mode “Overwrite” when opening existing files from disk! Previously rec-
orded data is lost if the setting is “Overwrite” and Logging is started the next time.
 If Logging is automatically started with Sequencing and the log interval matches the time values in the sequence file,
the device has to receive and set the values of the current sequence row first. Afterwards, the device can be read by
Logging to record the updated values. This will cause the log file to have at least one row offset regarding the set
values and related actual values. The bigger the log interval, the bigger the time difference between sequence file
row and corresponding log file row.
o Example: the time values in the sequence file are all 1 s, the log interval also is 1 s. Sequencing and Logging
are started simultaneously. In row 5 it defines a voltage value of 30, which will cause a power supply to set 30
V as soon as row 5 is processed. In the same moment, the log file receives an entry in row 5, but probably a
different actual value, because the 30 V are not yet set. So the log file will record the actual value corresponding
to 30 V at least one row later.