Agilent Technologies 6811B User manual

User’s Guide
AC Power Solutions
Agilent Models 6811B, 6812B, and 6813B
For instruments with Serial Numbers:
Agilent 6811B: US38390101-up
Agilent 6812B: US38390101-up
Agilent 6813B: US38390101-up
Agilent Part No. 5962-0829 Printed in U.S.A.
Microfiche No 5962-0830 December, 1998
Update April 2000

2
Warranty Information
CERTIFICATION
Agilent Technologies certifies that this product met its published specifications at time of shipment from the factory.
Agilent Technologies further certifies that its calibration measurements are traceable to the United States National
Bureau of Standards, to the extent allowed by the Bureau’s calibration facility, and to the calibration facilities of other
International Standards Organization members.
WARRANTY
This Agilent Technologies hardware product is warranted against defects in material and workmanship for a period
of three years from date of delivery. Agilent Technologies software and firmware products, which are designated by
Agilent Technologies for use with a hardware product and when properly installed on that hardware product, are
warranted not to fail to execute their programming instructions due to defects in material and workmanship for a
period of 90 days from date of delivery. During the warranty period Agilent Technologies will, at its option, either
repair or replace products which prove to be defective. Agilent Technologies does not warrant that the operation for
the software firmware, or hardware shall be uninterrupted or error free.
For warranty service, with the exception of warranty options, this product must be returned to a service facility
designated by Agilent Technologies. Customer shall prepay shipping charges by (and shall pay all duty and taxes)
for products returned to Agilent Technologies for warranty service. Except for products returned to Customer from
another country, Agilent Technologies shall pay for return of products to Customer.
Warranty services outside the country of initial purchase are included in Agilent Technologies product price, only if
Customer pays Agilent Technologies international prices (defined as destination local currency price, or U.S. or
Geneva Export price).
If Agilent Technologies is unable, within a reasonable time to repair or replace any product to condition as warranted,
the Customer shall be entitled to a refund of the purchase price upon return of the product to Agilent Technologies.
LIMITATION OF WARRANTY
The foregoing warranty shall not apply to defects resulting from improper or inadequate maintenance by the
Customer, Customer-supplied software or interfacing, unauthorized modification or misuse, operation outside of the
environmental specifications for the product, or improper site preparation and maintenance. NO OTHER
WARRANTY IS EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED. AGILENT TECHNOLOGIES SPECIFICALLY DISCLAIMS THE IMPLIED
WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.
EXCLUSIVE REMEDIES
THE REMEDIES PROVIDED HEREIN ARE THE CUSTOMER’S SOLE AND EXCLUSIVE REMEDIES. AGILENT
TECHNOLOGIES SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, OR
CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT, OR ANY OTHER LEGAL THEORY.
ASSISTANCE
The above statements apply only to the standard product warranty. Warranty options, extended support contacts,
product maintenance agreements and customer assistance agreements are also available. Contact your nearest
Agilent Technologies Sales and Service office for further information on Agilent Technologies’ full line of Support
Programs.

3
Safety Summary
The
f
ollowin
g
g
eneral sa
f
et
y
p
recautions must be observed durin
g
all
p
hases o
f
o
p
eration o
f
this instrument.
Failure to com
p
l
y
with these
p
recautions or with s
p
eci
f
ic warnin
g
s elsewhere in this manual violates sa
f
et
y
standards o
f
desi
g
n, manu
f
acture, and intended use o
f
the instrument. A
g
ilent Technolo
g
ies assumes no liabilit
y
f
or the customer’s
f
ailure to com
p
l
y
with these re
q
uirements.
WARNING: LETHAL VOLTAGES
Ac sources can supply 425 V peak at their output. DEATH on contact may result if the output terminals or circuits
connected to the output are touched when power is applied.
GENERAL
This product is a Safety Class 1 instrument (provided with a protective earth terminal). The protective features of
this product may be impaired if it is used in a manner not specified in the operation instructions.
Any LEDs used in this product are Class 1 LEDs as per IEC 825-1.
ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITONS
This instrument is intended for indoor use in an installation category II, pollution degree 2 environment. It is
designed to operate at a maximum relative humidity of 95% and at altitudes of up to 2000 meters. Refer to the
specifications tables for the ac mains voltage requirements and ambient operating temperature range.
BEFORE APPLYING POWER
Verify that the product is set to match the available line voltage, the correct fuse is installed, and all safety
precautions are taken. Note the instrument’s external markings described under "Safety Symbols".
GROUND THE INSTRUMENT
To minimize shock hazard, the instrument chassis and cover must be connected to an electrical ground. The
instrument must be connected to the ac power mains through a grounded power cable, with the ground wire firmly
connected to an electrical ground (safety ground) at the power outlet. Any interruption of the protective (grounding)
conductor or disconnection of the protective earth terminal will cause a potential shock hazard that could result in
personal injury.
ATTENTION: Un circuit de terre continu est essentiel en vue du fonctionnement sécuritaire de l’appareil.
Ne jamais mettre l'appareil en marche lorsque le conducteur de mise … la terre est d‚branch‚.
FUSES
Only fuses with the required rated current, voltage, and specified type (normal blow, time delay, etc.) should be
used. Do not use repaired fuses or short-circuited fuseholders. To do so could cause a shock or fire hazard.
DO NOT OPERATE IN AN EXPLOSIVE ATMOSPHERE
Do not operate the instrument in the presence of flammable gases or fumes.
DO NOT REMOVE THE INSTRUMENT COVER
Operating personnel must not remove instrument covers. Component replacement and internal adjustments must be
made only by qualified service personnel.
Instruments that a
pp
ear dama
g
ed or de
f
ective should be made ino
p
erative and secured a
g
ainst unintended
o
p
eration until the
y
can be re
p
aired b
y
q
uali
f
ied service
p
ersonnel.

4
SAFETY SYMBOLS
Direct current
Alternating current
Both direct and alternating current
Three-phase alternating current
Earth (ground) terminal
Protective earth (ground) terminal
Frame or chassis terminal
Terminal is at earth potential. Used for measurement and control circuits designed to be
operated with one terminal at earth potential.
Terminal for Neutral conductor on permanently installed equipment
Terminal for Line conductor on permanently installed equipment
On (supply)
Off (supply)
Standby (supply). Units with this symbol are not completely disconnected from ac mains when
this switch is off. To completely disconnect the unit from ac mains, either disconnect the power
cord or have a qualified electrician install an external switch.
In position of a bi-stable push control
Out position of a bi-stable push control
Caution, risk of electric shock
Caution, hot surface
Caution (refer to accompanying documents)
WARNING The WARNING si
g
n denotes a hazard. It calls attention to a
p
rocedure,
p
ractice, or the like,
which, if not correctl
y
p
erformed or adhered to, could result in
p
ersonal in
j
ur
y
. Do not
p
roceed
be
y
ond a WARNING si
g
n until the indicated conditions are full
y
understood and met.
Caution The CAUTION si
g
n denotes a hazard. It calls attention to an o
p
eratin
g
p
rocedure, or the like,
which, if not correctl
y
p
erformed or adhered to, could result in dama
g
e to or destruction of
p
art
or all of the
p
roduct. Do not
p
roceed be
y
ond a CAUTION si
g
n until the indicated conditions
are full
y
understood and met.

5
Declaration Page
DECLARATION OF CONFORMITY
according to ISO/IEC Guide 22 and EN 45014
Manufacturer’s Name: Agilent Technologies, Inc.
Manufacturer’s Address: 140 Green Pond Road
Rockaway, New Jersey 07866
U.S.A.
declares that the Product
Product Name: a) AC Power Source/Analyzer
b) Harmonic/Flicker Test System
Model Number(s): a) Agilent 6811B, 6813B, 6812B, 6811A, 6812A, 6813A
b) Agilent 6841A, 6842A
conforms to the following Product Specifications:
Safety: IEC 1010-1:1990+A1(1992) / EN 61010-1:1993
EMC: CISPR 11:1990 / EN 55011:1991 - Group 1 Class A
IEC 801-2:1991 / EN 50082-1:1992 - 4 kV CD, 8 kV AD
IEC 801-3:1984 / EN 50082-1:1992 - 3 V / m
IEC 801-4:1988 / EN 50082-1:1992 - 0.5 kV Signal Lines
1 kV Power Lines
Supplementary Information:
The product herewith complies with the requirements of the Low Voltage Directive
73/23/EEC and the EMC Directive 89/336/EEC and carries the CE-marking accordingly.
New Jersey January 1997 __ __
Location Date Bruce Krueger / Quality Manager
European Contact: Your local Agilent Technologies Sales and Service Office or Agilent Technologies GmbH,
Department TRE, Herrenberger Strasse 130, D-71034 Boeblingen (FAX:[phone])

6
Acoustic Noise Information
Herstellerbescheinigung
Diese Information steht im Zusammenhang mit den Anforderungen der
Maschinenläminformationsverordnung vom 18 Januar 1991.
* Schalldruckpegel Lp <70 dB(A)
* Am Arbeitsplatz
* Normaler Betrieb
* Nach EN 27779 (Typprüfung).
Manufacturer’s Declaration
This statement is provided to comply with the requirements of the German Sound Emission Directive,
from 18 January 1991.
* Sound Pressure Lp <70 dB(A)
* At Operator Position
* Normal Operation
* According to EN 27779 (Type Test).
Printing History
The edition and current revision of this manual are indicated below. Reprints of this manual containing
minor corrections and updates may have the same printing date. Revised editions are identified by a new
printing date. A revised edition incorporates all new or corrected material since the previous printing
date.
Changes to the manual occurring between revisions are covered by change sheets shipped with the
manual. In some cases, the manual change applies only to specific instruments. Instructions provided on
the change sheet will indicate if a particular change applies only to certain instruments.
This document contains proprietary information protected by copyright. All rights are reserved. No part
of this document may be photocopied, reproduced, or translated into another language without the prior
consent of Agilent Technologies. The information contained in this document is subject to change
without notice.
Copyright 1995, 1997, 1998 Agilent Technologies, Inc. Edition 1 _________August, 1995
Edition 2 _________February, 1997
Edition 3 _________March, 1998
Edition 4 _________December 1998
Update _________April 2000

7
Table of Contents
Warranty Information 2
Safety Summary 3
Declaration of Conformity 5
Acoustic Noise Information 6
Printing History 6
Table of Contents 7
1 GENERAL INFORMATION 11
Document Orientation 11
Earlier AC Source Models 12
Safety Considerations 12
Options and Parts 12
Description 13
Capabilities 14
Front Panel/Remote Operation 14
Steady-state Output Characteristic 15
Peak Current/Dynamic Power Capability 16
Peak Current Limit 16
Peak Inrush Example 16
RMS Current Limit Circuit 17
Voltage Regulation 18
Real Time Regulation 18
RMS Regulation 18
Output Impedance 18
Output Coupling 19
2 INSTALLATION 21
Inspection 21
Damage 21
Packaging Material 21
Items Supplied 21
Cleaning 21
Location 22
Bench Operation 22
Rack Mounting 22
Input Connections 23
Input Source and Line Fuse 23
Installing the Power Cord 23
Output Connections 24
Wire Considerations 25
Voltage Drops 25
Remote Sense Connections 25
Remote Sensing and OVP Considerations 27
Trigger Connections 27
Digital Connections 27
Controller Connections 28
GPIB Connector 28
RS-232 Interface 28

8
3 TURN-ON CHECKOUT 31
Introduction 31
Preliminary Checkout 31
Using the Keypad 32
Checkout Procedure 32
In Case of Trouble 34
Error Messages 34
Line Fuse 35
4 FRONT PANEL OPERATION 37
Introduction 37
Front Panel Description 37
System Keys 39
Function Keys 40
Immediate Action Keys 40
Scrolling Keys 40
Meter Display Keys 41
Output Control Keys 42
Protection and Status Control Keys 44
Trigger and List Control Keys 45
Entry Keys 46
Examples of Front Panel Programming 47
1 - Setting the Output Voltage Amplitude 47
2 - Setting the Output Frequency 47
3 - Setting the DC Offset 48
4 - Setting a Protection Feature 48
5 - Clearing Protection Conditions 49
6 - Using Transient Voltage Modes 50
7 - Trigger Delays and Phase Synchronization 53
8 - Using Slew Rates to Generate Waveforms 55
9 - Measuring Peak Inrush Current 57
10 - Setting the GPIB Address and RS-232 Parameters 58
11 - Saving and Recalling Operating States 58
A SPECIFICATIONS 59
Specifications 59
Supplemental Characteristics 61
Operation Below 45 Hz 53
B VERIFICATION AND CALIBRATION 65
Introduction 65
Equipment Required 65
Test Setup 66
Performing the Verification Tests 67
Turn-On Checkout Procedure 67
AC Voltage Programming and Measurement Accuracy 67
DC Voltage Programming and Measurement Accuracy 68
RMS Current Accuracy Test 68
Performing the Calibration Procedure 71
Front Panel Calibration Menu 71
Front Panel Calibration 72

9
Enable Calibration Mode 72
Calibrating and Entering Voltage Offset Values 72
Calibrating and Entering DC Voltage Gain Values 73
Calibrating and Entering AC rms Voltage Gain Values 73
Calibrating the OVP Trip Point 74
Calibrating and Entering rms Current Values 74
Calibrating and Entering rms Current Measurement Values 75
Calibrating the Output Impedance 75
Saving the Calibration Constants 75
Changing the Calibration Password 76
Calibration Error Messages 76
Calibration Over the GPIB 76
Agilent Calibration Program Listing 76
C ERROR MESSAGES 81
Error Number List 81
D LINE VOLTAGE CONVERSION 85
Open the Unit 85
Check the Jumper Wire (Model Agilent 6811B/6812B only) 85
Check the Line Jumpers (all Models) 85
Check the Power Transformer Connector (all Models) 85
Close the Unit 86
INDEX 87