Datasheet

Model 2461 Interactive SourceMeter® Instrument User's Manual Section 8: Measuring I-V characteristics of a solar panel
2461-900-01 Rev. A / November 2015 8-5
7. Press the MENU key.
8. Under Measure, select Settings.
9. Select the button next to Sense and select 4-Wire Sense.
10. Press the MENU key.
11. Under Source, select Sweep.
12. Set the Start level to 0 V and select OK.
13. Set the Stop level to 20 V and select OK.
14. Select the button next to Definition and select Number of Points.
15. Select the button next to Points, enter 115, and select OK.
16. Swipe the SWEEP SETTINGS screen until you see Source Limit.
17. Select the button next to Source Limit, enter 4 A, and select OK.
18. Select the button next to Source Delay and select Specify Delay.
19. Enter 50 ms and select OK.
20. Select Generate. This sets up a trigger model for the sweep.
21. Press the MENU key.
22. Under Measure, select Reading Buffers.
23. Select defbuffer1.
24. Select Clear, select Yes, and select OK.
25. Press the MENU key.
26. Under Views, select Graph.
27. Press the TRIGGER key to initiate the trigger model. The output turns on and a RUN indicator is
visible at the top of the screen while the sweep is running.
28. Press the trigger key again to repeat the sweep.
The following figure shows an example of solar panel I-V measurements on the front-panel graph.
Note that the current is negative on the graph because the Model 2461 is sinking current.
Figure 45: Example of solar panel measurements on the Model 2461 front-panel graph