3

Getting Started

Introduction

This chapter is intended for the first time user of the supply. It provides four main discussions:

Front Panel Controls and Indicators

Turning on Your Supply

Checking Out Your Supply Using Local Control

Introduction to Remote Operation

First, the supply's front panel controls and indicators are briefly described. Some of the controls and indicators will be used in the Turn On and Checkout procedures that follow. Chapter 6 describes how to use all of the front panel controls.

Successful completion of the turn on and checkout procedures ensures with a high level of confidence that your supply is operating properly. Complete performance testing and troubleshooting procedures are given in the Service Manual (HP Part No. 5957-6379).

The checkout procedures are performed locally from the front panel. In addition to checking the operation of your supply, these simple step-by-step checkout procedures will help the first time user become familiar with operating the supply from the front panel.

When you have completed the checkout procedures, you are then introduced to the fundamentals of operating the supply remotely from a computer. You will learn how to send a command to the supply from the computer and how to get data back to the computer from the power supply. A few of the most often used power supply commands will be described to help you get started and become familiar with the basics of programming your supply.

After completing this chapter, you can proceed to Chapter 4 to find out how to make load connections to your supply's outputs and then to Chapter 5 (Remote Control) and/or Chapter 6 (Local Control) to learn all the details about operating your supply.

Front Panel Controls and Indicators

The power supply's controls and indicators are shown in Figure 3-1 and are described in Table 3-1. Note that the front panel controls are identical for HP Models 6621A-6624A, and 6627A, except for the number of OUTPUT annunciators (number 3 in Figure 3-1). The HP Model 6624A, shown in Figure 3-1, has four outputs (as does the HP 6627A), HP Models 6621A and 6622A each have two outputs, and HP Model 6623A has three outputs.

Table 3-1, in addition to providing a brief description of each control and indicator, lists the paragraphs in which the use of each control and indicator is described. Because most of the functions performed by the front panel controls can also be performed remotely by power supply commands, the corresponding paragraphs in Chapter 5 (Remote Operation) are listed in Table 3-1 where applicable.

Turning On Your Supply

The following paragraphs describe the power-on sequence which includes a self test of most of the power supply's circuits.

Before you turn on your supply, make sure that:

The line module on the rear panel is set to match your input line voltage.

Getting Started 31