Agilent Technologies Electronic
Loads are ideally suited for battery
test applications. Their many features
makethe test system easy to config-
ure and provide safe, reliable, and
repeatable operation.
The Agilent 6060A Electronic Load
and 6050A Electronic Load mainframe
have the required constant-current
modes as well as constant-resistance
and constant-voltage modes. Built-in
voltmeters and ammeters eliminate
the need for external meters and pro-
vide measurement accuracy which, in
most cases, greatly exceeds the 0.5 to
1% that is typically required.
These electronic loads can be con-
trolled from their front panel, from
a computer via GPIB, or by a 0 to
10 volt analog signal. By varying the
analog control input (up to 10 kHz),
a battery’s effective internal impedance
can be easily measured. The electronic
load’s built-in GPIB interface makes it
simple to connect any computer that
supports GPIB. Agilent’s electronic
loads are not limited to just being
controlled over the bus. Measured
current, voltage, power and complete
status can also be read back over the
bus so that time consuming discharge
tests can be attended automatically.
Agilent’s electronic loads truly provide
a “One Box” solution.
Testing cells down to an EODV of
0.9 volts is easily done with the Agilent
6060A, 6063A, 60501A, 60502A,
60503A, or 60504A Electronic Loads.
While the operating characteristics
of these loads are guaranteed to meet
all specifications above 3 volts, the
DC operating characteristics extend
below 3 volts (see Figure 8). This figure
shows that at 0.9 volts the Agilent
6060A Electronic Load is capable of
reliably drawing up to 27 amperes.
That means an 80 Ah battery could
be discharged to an EODV of 0.9 volts
at a discharge rate of C/3. For appli-
cations requiring V/I characteristics
below the operating curve of Figure 8,
Agilent offers a full family of DC power
supplies to be used as an offset supply.
Agilent’s full featured Electronic Load
Family offers quality and reliability
backed with a three year warranty.
Refer to the 1990/91 DC Power Supply
Catalog with Electronic Loads (Part
Number 5952-4203) for more informa-
tion about Electronic Loads.
By internet, phone, or fax, get assistance
with all your test and measurement needs.
Online Assistance

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Product specifications and descriptions in this
document subject to change without notice.
Copyright © 1988, 1991, 2000 Agilent Technologies
Printed in U.S.A. 9/00
5952-4191
Battery Testing with Agilent Electronic Loads
Figure 8. Operating Characteristics of an Agilent Electronic Load