Agilent Technologies E3632A User manual

User’s Guide
Part Number: E3632-90001
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 E3632A
DC Power Supply

The Agilent E3632A is a high performance 120 watt-dual range 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
• Dual range
• Easy-to-use knob control settings
• Highly visible vacuum-fluorescent display meters
• High accuracy and high resolution
• Remote voltage sensing
• Overvoltage and overcurrent protection
• Output on/off
• 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
• Software calibration, no internal adjustments required
Agilent E3632A
DC Power Supply

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The Front Panel at a Glance
1 15V/7A range selection key
230V/4A range selection key
3Overvoltage protection key
4Overcurrent protection key
5Display limit key
6Recall operating state key
7Store operating state/Local key
8Error/Calibrate key
9I/O Configuration/Secure key
10 Output On/Off key
11 Control knob
12 Resolution selection keys
13 Voltage/current adjust selection key

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1 15V/7A range selection key Selects the 15V/7A range and allows the full rated output
to 15V/7A.
2 30V/4A range selection key Selects the 30V/4A range and allows the full rated output
to 30V/4A.
3 Overvoltage protection key Enables or disables the overvoltage protection function,
sets trip voltage level, and clears the overvoltage condition.
4 Overcurrent protection key Enables or disables the overcurrent protection function,
sets trip current level, and clears the overcurrent condition.
5 Display limit key Shows voltage and current limit values on the display and allows
knob adjustment for setting limit values.
6 Recall operating state key Recalls a previously stored operating state from location
‘‘1’’, ‘‘2’’, or ‘‘3’’.
7 Store 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.
8 Error / Calibrate key2Displays error codes generated during operation, self-test and
calibration / or enables calibration mode (the power supply must be unsecured before
performing calibration). See Service Guide for more details on calibration.
9 I/O Configuration / Secure key3Configures the power supply for remote interfaces
/ or secure or unsecure the power supply for calibration. See Service Guide for more
details on how to secure or unsecure the power supply.
10 Output On/Off key Enables or disables the power supply output. This key toggles
between on and off.
11 Control knob Increases or decreases the value of the blinking digit by turning
clockwise or counter clockwise.
12 Resolution selection keys Move the blinking digit to the right or left.
13 Voltage/current adjust selection key Selects the knob control function for voltage
or current adjustment.
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.

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Front-Panel Voltage and Current Limit Settings
You can set the voltage and current limit values from the front panel using the
following method.
1Select the desired range using the range selection keys after turning on the power
supply.
2Press the key to show the limit values on the display.
3Move the blinking digit to the appropriate position using the resolution selection keys
and change the blinking digit value to the desired voltage limit by turning the control
knob. If the display limit times out, press the key again.
4Set the knob to current control mode using the voltage/current adjust selection key.
5Move the blinking digit to the appropriate position using the resolution selection keys
and change the blinking digit value to the desired current limit by turning the control
knob.
6Press the key to enable the output. After about 5 seconds, the
display will go to output monitoring mode automatically to display the voltage and
current at the output or the display will go to output monitoring mode immediately by
pressing the key again.
Note All front panel keys and controls can be disabled with remote interface
commands. The Agilent E3632A 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 voltage and current limit values.
Display Limit
Display Limit
Output On/Off
Output On/Off

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Display Annunciators
Adrs Power supply is addressed to listen or talk over a remote interface.
Rmt Power supply is in remote interface mode.
15V Shows the 15V/7A range is selected.
30V Shows the 30V/4A range is selected.
OVP The overvoltage protection function is enabled when the annunciator
turns on or the overvoltage protection circuit has caused the power
supply to shutdown when the annunciator blinks.
OCP The overcurrent protection function is enabled when the annunciator
turns on or the overcurrent protection circuit has caused the power
supply to shutdown when the annunciator blinks.
CAL The power supply is in calibration mode.
Limit The display shows the limit values of voltage and current.
ERROR Hardware or remote interfacecommand errors are detected and the error
bit has not been cleared.
OFF The output of the power supply is disabled (See page 52 for more
information).
Unreg The output of the power supply is unregulated (output is neither CV
nor CC).
CV The power supply is in constant voltage mode.
CC The power supply is in constant current mode.
To review the display annunciators, hold down key as you
turn on the power supply.
Display Limit

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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 E3632A power
supply.
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.
If your Agilent E3632A fails within one year of purchase, Agilent will
repair or replace it free of charge. Call 1-800-258-5165 ("Express
Exchange") in the United States, or contact your nearest Agilent
Technologies Sales Office.

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Contents
Contents
Chapter 1 General Information
Safety Considerations 14
Safety and EMC Requirements 14
Options and Accessories 15
Options 15
Accessories 15
Description 16
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 30
Chapter 3 Front-Panel Operation
Front-Panel Operation Overview 35
Constant Voltage Operation 36
Constant Current Operation 38
Storing and Recalling Operating States 40
Programming Overvoltage Protection 42
Setting the OVP Level and Enable the OVP Circuit 42
Checking OVP Operation 43
Clearing the Overvoltage Condition 43
Programming Overcurrent Protection 45
Setting the OCP Level and Enable the OCP Circuit 45
Checking OCP Operation 46
Clearing the Overcurrent Condition 46
Remote Voltage Sensing 48
CV Regulation 48
Output Rating 48
Output Noise 48
Stability 49
Remote Voltage Sensing Connections 49