Agilent Technologies E3632A Remote Voltage Sensing, CV Regulation, Output Rating, Output Noise

Chapter 3 Front-Panel Operation

Remote Voltage Sensing

Remote Voltage Sensing

Remote voltage sensing is used to maintain regulation at the load and reduce the degradation of regulation that would occur due to the voltage drop in the leads between the power supply and the load.

By connecting the power supply for remote voltage sensing, voltage is sensed at the load rather than at the power supply’s output terminals. This will allow the power supply to automatically compensate for the voltage drop in applications with long lead lengths as well as to accurately read back the voltage directly across the load.

When the power supply is connected for remote sensing, the OVP circuit senses the voltage at the sensing points (load) and not the output terminals.

CV Regulation

The voltage load regulation specification in chapter 8 applies at the output terminals of the power supply. When remote sensing, add 5 mV to this specification for each 1 V drop between the positive sensing point and (+) output terminal due to the change in load current. Because the sense leads are part of the power supply’s feedback path, keep the resistance of the sense leads at or below 0.5 9 per lead to maintain the above specified performance.

Output Rating

The rated output voltage and current specifications in chapter 8 apply at the output terminals of the power supply. With remote sensing, any voltage dropped in the load leads must be added to the load voltage to calculate maximum output voltage. The performance specifications are not guaranteed when the maximum output voltage is exceeded. If the excessive demand on the power supply forces the power supply to lose regulation, the Unreg annunciator will turn on to indicate that the output is unregulated.

Output Noise

Any noise picked up on the sense leads also appears at the output of the power supply and may adversely affect the voltage load regulation. Twist the sense leads to minimize external noise pickup and run them parallel and close to the load leads. In noisy environments it may be necessary to shield the sense leads. Ground the shield at the power supply end only. Do not use the shield as one of the sense conductors.

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