Agilent Technologies E3631A User manual

User’s Guide
Part Number: E3631-90002
Eighth Edition, October 25, 2013
For Safety information, Warranties, and Regulatory information,
see the page behind the Index.
© Copyright Agilent Technologies, Inc. 2000–2013
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

3
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

4
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 key1Stores an operating state in location “1”, “2”,
or “3” / or returns the power supply to local mode from remote interface mode.
6Error / Calibrate key2Displays 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 key3Configures 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.
1The key can be used as the “Local” key when the power supply is in the remote
interface mode.
2You can enable the “calibration mode” by holding down this key when you
turn on the power supply.
3You can use it as the “Secure” or “Unsecure” key when the power supply is
in the calibration mode.

5
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

6
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 cleared.
OFF The three outputs 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

7
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

8
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.

9
Environmental Conditions
This instrument is designed for indoor use and in an area with low condensation. The
table below shows the general environmental requirements for this instrument.
Environmental condition Requirements
Temperature Operating condition
• 0 °C to 40 °C
Storage condition
• –20 °C to 70 °C
Humidity Up to 80% RH
Altitude Up to 2000 m
Installation category II
Pollution degree 2

10
Declaration of Conformity
The Declaration of Conformity (DoC) for this instrument is available on the Agilent
website. You can search the DoC by its product model or description at the web address
below.
http://regulations.corporate.agilent.com/DoC/search.htm
Note If you are unable to search for the respective DoC, please contact your local Agilent
representative.

11
Contents
Chapter 1 General Information
Safety Considerations- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 17
Safety and EMC Requirements - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 17
Options and Accessories - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 18
Options - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 18
Accessories - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 18
Description- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 19
Installation - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 21
Initial Inspection - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 21
Cooling and Location- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 21
Input Power Requirements - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 24
Power-Line Cord- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 24
Power-Line Voltage Selection - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 24
Chapter 2 Initial Operation
Preliminary Checkout- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 29
Power-On Checkout- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 30
Output Checkout - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 31
Voltage Output Checkout - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 31
Current Output Checkout - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 33
Chapter 3 Front-Panel Operation
Front-Panel Operation Overview - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 37
Constant Voltage Operation - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 38
Constant Current Operation- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 40
Tracking Operation - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 42
Storing and Recalling Operating States - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 43
Disabling the Outputs- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 45
Knob Locking - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 45
System-Related Operations - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 46
Self-Test - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 46
Error Conditions - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 47
Display Control - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 48
Firmware Revision Query- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 49
SCPI Language Version - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 49
Remote Interface Configuration - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 50
Remote Interface Selection - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 50
GPIB Address- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 51
Baud Rate Selection (RS-232)- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 51

12
Parity Selection (RS-232)- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 51
To Set the GPIB Address - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 52
To Set the Baud Rate and Parity (RS-232) - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 53
GPIB Interface Configuration - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 55
RS-232 Interface Configuration - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 56
RS-232 Configuration Overview - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 56
RS-232 Data Frame Format - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 56
Connection to a Computer or Terminal- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 57
DTR/DSR Handshake Protocol - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 58
RS-232 Troubleshooting - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 59
Calibration Overview- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 60
Calibration Security - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 60
Calibration Count - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 64
Calibration Message - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 64
Chapter 4 Remote Interface Reference
SCPI Command Summary - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 67
Simplified Programming Overview - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 72
Using the APPLy Command- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 72
Using the Low-Level Commands - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 72
Reading a Query Response- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 73
Selecting a Trigger Source - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 73
Programming Ranges and Output Identifiers - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 74
Using the APPLy Command - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 75
Output Setting and Operation Commands - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 76
Output Selection Commands - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 76
Measurement Commands - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 78
Output On/Off and Tracking Operation Commands - - - - - - - - - - 79
Output Setting Commands - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 79
Triggering Commands - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 81
Trigger Source Choices - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 81
Triggering Commands - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 83
System-Related Commands - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 84
Calibration Commands- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 87
RS-232 Interface Commands- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 89
The SCPI Status Registers - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 90
What is an Event Register? - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 90
What is an Enable Register? - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 90
What is a Multiple Logical Output? - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 90
SCPI Status System- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 92
The Questionable Status Register - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 93
The Standard Event Register- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 95

13
The Status Byte Register - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 96
Using Service Request (SRQ) and Serial POLL - - - - - - - - - - - - - 97
Using *STB? to Read the Status Byte- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 98
Using the Message Available Bit (MAV) - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 98
To Interrupt Your Bus Controller Using SRQ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 98
To Determine When a Command Sequence is Completed - - - - - - 99
Using *OPC to Signal When Data is in the Output Buffer - - - - - - 99
Status Reporting Commands - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 100
An Introduction to the SCPI Language - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 104
Command Format Used in This Manual - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 105
Command Separators- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 106
Using the MIN and MAX parameters - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 106
Querying Parameter Settings- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 107
SCPI Command Terminators - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 107
IEEE-488.2 Common Commands - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 107
SCPI Parameter Types - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 108
Halting an Output in Progress - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 109
SCPI Conformance Information- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 110
IEEE-488 Conformance information - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 113
Chapter 5 Error Messages
Execution Errors - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 117
Self-Test Errors- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 123
Calibration Errors - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 124
Chapter 6 Application
Programs
Agilent BASIC Programs - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 128
C and QuickBASIC Language Programs - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 128
Using the APPLy Command - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 129
Using the Low-Level Commands - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 133
Using the Status Registers- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 137
RS-232 Operation Using QuickBASIC - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 139
Chapter 7 Tutorial
Overview of Agilent E3631A Operation - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 143
Output Characteristics - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 145
Unregulated State - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 147
Unwanted Signals - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 147
Connecting the Load - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 149
Output Isolation - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 149
Multiple Loads - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 149

14
Load Consideration - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 150
Extending the Voltage - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 152
Series Connections - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 152
Remote Programming - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 153
Reliability - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 155
Chapter 8 Specifications
Performance Specifications- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 159
Supplemental Characteristics - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 161

1
1
General Information

16
General Information
This chapter provides a general description of your power supply. This
chapter also contains instructions for initial inspection, location and cooling for bench
and rack operation, selecting the power-line voltage, and
connecting your power supply to ac power.

Chapter 1 General Information
Safety Considerations
17
1
Safety Considerations
This power supply is a Safety Class I instrument, which means that it has a protective
earth terminal. That terminal must be connected to earth ground through a power
source with a 3-wire ground receptacle.
Before installation or operation, check the power supply and review this manual for
safety markings and instructions. Safety information for specific procedures is located
at the appropriate places in this manual. See also “Safety” at the beginning of this
manual for general safety information.
Safety and EMC Requirements
This power supply is designed to comply with the following safety and EMC
(Electromagnetic Compatibility) requirements:
Safety
• IEC 1010-1
• CAN/CSA-C22.2 No. 1010.1-92
EMC
• IEC 61326-1:2005/EN61326-1:2006
• CISPR11:2003/EN55011:2007
• Canada: ICES/NMB-001:Issue 4, June 2006
• Australia/New Zealand: AS/NZS CISPR 11:2004

Chapter 1 General Information
Options and Accessories
18
Options and Accessories
Options
Options 0EM, 0E3,and 0E9 determine which power-line voltage is selected at
the factory. The standard unit is configured for 115 Vac ± 10%, 47-63 Hz input voltage.
For more information about changing the power-line voltage setting, see ‘‘Power-Line
Voltage Selection’’, starting on page 24 in this chapter.
Option Description
0EM 115 Vac ± 10%, 47-63 Hz input voltage
0E3 230 Vac ± 10%, 47-63 Hz input voltage
0E9 100 Vac ± 10%, 47-63 Hz input voltage
1CM Rack mount kit (Agilent part number 5062-3957)
0L2 Extra English manual set (local language manual files are included
on the CD-ROM, Agilent part number 5964-8251.)
Accessories
The accessories listed below may be ordered from your local Agilent Technologies
Sales Office either with the power supply or separately.
Agilent No. Description
10833A GPIB cable, 1 m (3.3 ft.)
10833B GPIB cable, 2 m (6.6 ft.)
34398A RS-232, 9 pin (f) to 9 pin (f), 2.5 m (8.2 ft.) cable; plus 9 pin (m)
to 25 pin (f) adapter
34399A RS-232 adapter kit (contains 4 adapters):
9 pin (m) to 25 pin (m) for use with PC or printer
9 pin (m) to 25 pin (f) for use with PC or printer
9 pin (m) to 25 pin (m) for use with modem
9 pin (m) to 9 pin (m) for use with modem

Chapter 1 General Information
Description
19
1
Description
The Agilent E3631A power supply features a combination of programming
capabilities and linear power supply performance that makes it ideal for power
systems applications. The triple power supply delivers 0 to ± 25 V outputs rated at 0
to 1 A and 0 to +6 V output rated at 0 to 5 A. The ± 25Vsupplies also provide 0 to ±
25 V tracking output to power operational amplifiers and circuits requiring
symmetrically balanced voltages. The 0 to ± 25V outputs track each other within
±(0.2% output + 20 mV) in the track mode. The ± 25V outputs can also be used in
series as a single 0 to 50 V/1 A supply.
The voltage and current of each supply can be adjusted independently from the front
panel or programmed over the GPIB or RS-232 interface. Using the front panel keys
and the control knob, you can adjust the voltage and current of a selected output;
enable or disable track mode; store and recall operating states; enable or disable three
outputs; calibrate the power supply including changing the calibration security; return
the power supply to local operating mode; and configure the power supply for remote
interface operation.
From the front-panel VFD (vacuum-fluorescent display), you can monitor actual
values of output voltage and current (meter mode) or voltage and current limit values
(limit mode), check the operating status of the power supply from the annunciators,
and check the type of error from the displayed error codes (messages).
When operated over the remote interface, the power supply can be both a listener and
a talker. Using an external controller, you can instruct the power supply to set outputs
and to send the status data back over the GPIB or RS-232. Readback capabilities
include reading back output voltage and current; present and stored status; and error
messages. The following functions are implemented over the GPIB or RS-232:
• Voltage and current programming
• Voltage and current readback
• Enable or disable track mode
• Present and stored status readback
• Programming syntax error detection
• Voltage and current calibration
• Output on or off
•Self-test

Chapter 1 General Information
Description
20
The front panel includes a VFD for displaying the output voltage and current. Two
4-digit voltage and current meters accurately show the actual or limit values of a
selected supply simultaneously. Three meter selection keys choose the voltage and
current of any one output to be monitored on the display.
Connections to the power supply's output and to chassis ground are made to binding
posts on the front panel. The +25V and -25V supply's outputs share a common output
terminal which is isolated from chassis ground. The positive and negative terminals
of each output can be grounded, or each output can be kept within ±240 Vdc from the
chassis ground. The power supply is shipped with a detachable, 3-wire grounding
type power cord. The ac line fuse is an extractor type on the rear panel.
The power supply can be calibrated from the front panel directly or with a controller
over the GPIB or RS-232 interface using calibration commands. Correction factors
are stored in non-volatile memory and are used during output programming.
Calibration from the front panel or a controller eliminates the need to remove the top
cover or even the need to remove the power supply from your system cabinet. You
can guard against unauthorized calibration by using the “Secured”calibration
protection function.