Agilent Technologies 6051A, 6050A manual Introduction, Operation Overview

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Operation Overview

Introduction

The Agilent 6050A and Agilent 6051A Multiple Input Electronic Load Mainframes are used for design, manufacturing, and evaluation of dc power supplies, batteries, and power components. Other applications include use as a power circuit breaker or crowbar, high-current function or pulse generator, fuel-cell and photovoltaic cell test, and de-energizing superconducting magnets.

The mainframe contains six (two) slots for load modules. Load modules occupy either 1 or 2 slots, depending on the power rating of the module. The mainframe can dissipate up to 300 watts per slot, to a total of 1800 (600) watts for a fully loaded mainframe. An individual module may have either 1 or 2 channels, each of which has its own channel number. Each module contains its own input connectors. The mainframe contains a processor, GPIB connector and interface circuits, trigger circuits, front-panel keypad and display, and other circuits common to all the load modules.

Each module can operate independently in constant current (CC) mode, constant voltage (CV) mode , or constant resistance (CR) mode. In addition, each input can be turned on or off (open circuit) or short circuited.

Features include built-in GPIB interface and built-in pulse generator, both standard. Pulse mode allows dynamic testing of power supplies and components, without giving the device under test time to heat up. The flexible pulse mode provides six triggering methods, allowing synchronization with a wide variety of events. A Save/Recall feature allows you to save up to 7 complete instrument setups, one of which can be saved in non-volatile memory so that it is recalled automatically at power- on. Also standard is GPIB readback of actual input voltage and current, and extensive protection and status reporting capability.

The mainframe contains two (one) cooling fans whose speed automatically increases or decreases as the module temperatures rise and fall. This feature reduces overall noise level because the fans do not run at maximum speed at all times.

The input power rating curve for each module is shown in the module-specific pages. See the extended power paragraphs in this section for a description of the power rating curves. Note that regardless of a module’s power rating, input current is derated linearly from 2 volts down to 0 volts.

Each load module can be individually controlled either via GPIB or locally via the front panel. Once a channel is selected or addressed, all subsequent commands go to that channel until another channel is selected or addressed. Operation of all models is similar, regardless of power ratings. Therefore, the operating instructions given in this manual are generic, and apply to all modules. The module-specific pages provided with each module include specifications and other information pertinent just to a particular model. Some examples described here may use values that are not appropriate for your module, but the example is valid. Some descriptions refer to ranges, limits, full-scale values, and similar terms (for example, low range and high range). Refer to the module-specific pages provided with each module for the actual values.

Programs written for the Agilent 6060 series of single Electronic Loads can be used with the multiple loads, easing program development for applications using various members of the Agilent Electronic Load family. (Triggering via the ac line frequency or the load’s internal timer is available only in the multiple load mainframe.)

If your application requires a greater power or current capacity than one module can provide, load modules can be connected in parallel in CC or CR mode.

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