Agilent Technologies E3631A User manual

User’s Guide
Part Number: E3631-90002
October 2007.
For Safety information, Warranties, and Regulatory information,
see the pages behind the Index.
© Copyright Agilent Technologies, Inc. 2000-2007
All Rights Reserved.
Agilent E3631A
Triple Output
DC Power Supply

The Agilent E3631A is a high performance 80 watt-triple output DC power
supply with GPIB and RS-232 interfaces. The combination of bench-top and
system features in this power supply provides versatile solutions for your
design and test requirements.
Convenient bench-top features
• Triple output
• Easy-to-use knob control for voltage and current settings
• Highly visible vacuum-fluorescent display for voltage and current meters
• Tracking operation for ± 25V outputs
• Excellent load and line regulation and low ripple and noise
• Operating states storage
• Portable, ruggedized case with non-skid feet
Flexible system features
• GPIB (IEEE-488) and RS-232 interfaces are standard
• SCPI (Standard Commands for Programmable Instruments) compatibility
• I/O setup easily done from front-panel
Agilent E3631A
Triple Output
DC Power Supply

2
The Front Panel at a Glance
1 Meter and adjust selection keys
2Tracking enable/disable key
3Display limit key
4Recall operating state key
5Store operating state/Local key
6Error/Calibrate key
7 I/O Configuration / Secure key
8 Output On/Off key
9Control knob
10 Resolution selection keys
11 Voltage/current adjust selection key

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1Meter and adjust selection keys Select the output voltage and current of any one
supply (+6V, +25V, or -25V output) to be monitored on the display and allow knob
adjustment of that supply.
2Tracking enable / disable key Enables / disables the track mode of ±25V supplies.
3Display limit key Shows the voltage and current limit values on the display and
allows knob adjustment for setting limit values.
4Recall operating state key Recalls a previously stored operating state from
location “1”, “2”, or “3”.
5Store operating state / Local key
1
Stores an operating state in location “1”, “2”,
or “3” / or returns the power supply to local mode from remote interface mode.
6Error / Calibrate key
2
Displays error codes generated during operations, self-test
and calibration / or enables calibration mode (the power supply must be unsecured
before performing calibration).
7I/O Configuration / Secure key
3
Configures the power supply for remote
interfaces / or secure and unsecure the power supply for calibration.
8Output On/Off key Enables or disables all three power supply outputs. This key
toggles between two states.
9Control knob Increases or decreases the value of the blinking digit by turning
clockwise or counter clockwise.
10 Resolution selection keys Move the flashing digit to the right or left.
11 Voltage/current adjust selection key Selects the knob function to voltage control or
current control.
1
The key can be used as the “Local” key when the power supply is in the remote
interface mode.
2
You can enable the “calibration mode” by holding down this key when you
turn on the power supply.
3
You can use it as the “Secure” or “Unsecure” key when the power supply is
in the calibration mode.

4
Front-Panel Voltage and Current Limit Settings
You can set the voltage and current limit values from the front panel
using the following method.
1Press the key after turning on the power supply.
2Set the knob to the voltage control mode or current control mode using the
voltage/current adjust selection key.
3Move the blinking digit to the appropriate position using the resolution selection keys.
4Change the blinking digit to the desired value using the control knob.
5Press the key to enable the output. After about 5 seconds, the
display will go to the output monitor mode automatically to display the voltage
and current at the output.
Note All front panel keys and controls can be disabled with remote interface
commands. The Agilent E3631A must be in “Local” mode for the front panel
keys and controls to function.
Use the voltage/current adjust selection key, the resolution selection keys, and
the control knob to change the monitoring or limiting value of voltage or current.
Display Limit
Output On/Off

5
Display Annunciators
Adrs Power supply is addressed to listen or talk over a remote interface.
Rmt Power supply is in remote interface mode.
+6V Displays the output voltage and current for +6V supply. Knob is active for
+6V supply.
+25V Displays the output voltage and current for +25V supply. Knob is active for
+25V supply.
-25V Displays the output voltage and current for -25V supply. Knob is active for
-25V supply.
CAL power supply is in calibration mode.
Track The outputs of +25V and -25V supplies are in track mode.
Limit The display shows the voltage and current limit value of a selected supply.
ERROR Hardware or remote interface command errors are detected and also the
error bit has not been.
OFF The three ouputs of the power supply are disabled.
Unreg The displayed output is unregulated (output is neither CV nor CC).
CV The displayed output is in constant-voltage mode.
CC The displayed output is in constant-current mode.
To review the display annunciators, hold down key as you
turn on the power supply.
Display Limit

6
The Rear Panel at a Glance
Use the front-panel key to:
• Select the GPIB or RS-232 interface (see chapter 3).
• Set the GPIB bus address (see chapter 3).
• Set the RS-232 baud rate and parity (see chapter 3).
1Power-line voltage setting
2Power-line fuse-holder assembly
3AC inlet
4Power-line module
5GPIB (IEEE-488) interface connector
6RS-232 interface connector
I/O Config

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In This Book
General Information Chapter 1 contains a general description of your
power supply. This chapter also provides instructions for checking your
power supply, connecting to ac power, and selecting power-line voltage.
Initial Operation Chapter 2 ensures that the power supply develops its
rated outputs and properly responds to operation from the front panel.
Front-Panel Operation Chapter 3 describes in detail the use of
front-panel keys and how they are used to operate the power supply from
the front panel. This chapter also shows how to configure the power supply
for the remote interface and gives a brief introduction to the calibration
features.
Remote Interface Reference Chapter 4 contains reference information
to help you program the power supply over the remote interface. This
chapter also explains how to program for status reporting.
Error Messages Chapter 5 lists the error messages that may appear as you
are working with the power supply. Each listing contains information to help
you diagnose and solve the problem.
Application Programs Chapter 6 contains some remote interface
applications to help you develop programs for your application.
Tutorial Chapter 7 describes basic operation of linear power supplies and
gives specific details on the operation and use of the Agilent E3631A power
supplies.
Specifications Chapter 8 lists the power supply’s specifications.
If you have questions relating to the operation of the power supply, call
1-800-829-4444 in the United States, or contact your nearest Agilent
Technologies Sales Office.

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9
Contents
Contents
Chapter 1 General Information
Safety Considerations- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 15
Safety and EMC Requirements - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 15
Options and Accessories - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 16
Options - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 16
Accessories- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 16
Description - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 17
Installation - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 19
Initial Inspection - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 19
Cooling and Location- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 19
Input Power Requirements- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 22
Power-Line Cord - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 22
Power-Line Voltage Selection - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 22
Chapter 2 Initial Operation
Preliminary Checkout- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 27
Power-On Checkout - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 28
Output Checkout- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 29
Voltage Output Checkout - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 29
Current Output Checkout - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 31
Chapter 3 Front-Panel Operation
Front-Panel Operation Overview - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 35
Constant Voltage Operation - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 36
Constant Current Operation- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 38
Tracking Operation- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 40
Storing and Recalling Operating States - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 41
Disabling the Outputs- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 43
Knob Locking - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 43
System-Related Operations - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 44
Self-Test - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 44
Error Conditions - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 45
Display Control - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 46
Firmware Revision Query - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 47
SCPI Language Version - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 47