Agilent Technologies E3640A User manual

User’s Guide
Part Number: E3640-90001
January 2000.
For Safety information, Warrantie , and Regulatory information,
ee the page behind the Index.
© Copyright Agilent Technologie 1999 - 2000
All Right Re erved.
Agilent E364xA Single Output
DC Power Supplies

The Agilent Technologies E3640A/E3641A (30 watt), E3642A/E3643A (50 watt),
and E3644A/E3645A (80 watt) are high per ormance single-output dual range
programmable DC power supplies with GPIB and RS-232 inter aces. The
combination o bench-top and system eatures in these power supplies
provides versatile solutions or your design and test requirements.
Convenient bench-top features
• Single-output dual range
• Output on/o
• High accuracy and high resolution
• Excellent load and line regulation
• Low ripple and noise
• Overvoltage protection
• Five Operating states storage
• Easy-to-use controls
• Remote voltage sensing
• Front and Rear output terminals
• Portable, ruggedized case with non-skid eet
• Highly visible vacuum- luorescent displays
• Error messages available on the display
Flexible system features
• GPIB (IEEE-488) and RS-232 inter aces are standard
• SCPI (Standard Commands or Programmable Instruments) compatibility
• I/O setup easily done rom ront-panel
• So tware calibration, no internal physical adjustments
Agilent Technologies E364xA
Single Output DC Power Supplies

2
The Front Panel at a Glance
1 Low voltage range selection Key
2 High voltage range selection Key
3 Overvoltage protection Key
4 Display limit Key
5 Voltage/Current adjust selection Key
6 Stored state Recall/Reset enu
7 State storage menu/Local Key
8 View menu/Calibrate Key
9 I/O Configuration menu/Secure Key
10 Output On/Off Key
11 Resolution selection Keys
12 Knob

3
Front-Panel Menu/Key Reference
This section gives an overview o the ront-panel keys/menus. The menus are
designed to automatically guide you through all parameters required to
con igure a particular unction or operation.
1 Low voltage range selection key Selects the low voltage range and allows
its full rated output to the output terminals.
2 High voltage range selection key Selects the high voltage range and allows
its full rated output to the output terminals.
3 Overvoltage protection key Enables or disables the overvoltage protection
function, sets trip voltage level, and clears the overvoltage condition.
4 Display limit key Shows voltage and current limit values on the display and
allows the knob adjustment for setting limit values.
5 Voltage/C rrent adj st selection key Selects the knob control function for
voltage or current adjustment.
6 Stored state recall men Recalls a stored operating state from location ‘‘1
through ‘‘5 and resets the power supply to the power-on state (*RST
command) from the front panel by selecting the ‘‘RESET from this menu.
7 State storage men / Local key1 Stores up to five power supply s states in
non-volatile memory and assigns a name to each of the storage locations / or
returns the power supply to local mode from remote interface mode.
8 View men / Calibrate key2 Views the error codes and the text of the error
message, calibration string, and system firmware revision / or enables
calibration mode.
9 I/O Config ration / Sec re key3 Configures the power supply for remote
interfaces / or secures or unsecures the power supply for calibration.
10 O tp t On/Off key Enables or disables the power supply output. This key
toggles between on and off.
11 Resol tion selection keys Move the flashing digit to the right or left and
adjust the scrolling speed of the text being displayed in the View menu.
12 Knob Increases or decreases the value of the flashing digit by turning
clockwise or counter clockwise.
1The key can be used as the ‘‘Local’’ key when the power supply is in the remote
inter ace 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.

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.
1Select the desired voltage range using the voltage range selection keys after
turning on the power supply.
2Press 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 key again.
4Set the knob to current control mode by pressing 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 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.
Note All front panel keys and controls can be disabled with remote interface commands.
The power supply 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.
+
Low
High
Or
Display
Limit
Display
Limit
Current
Voltage
On/Off
Output

5
isplay Annunciators
Adrs Power supply is addressed to listen or talk over a remote interface.
Rmt Power supply is in remote interface mode.
8V* Shows the low voltage range is selected.
20V* Shows the high voltage range is selected.
35V** Shows the low voltage range is selected.
60V** Shows the high voltage 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.
CAL The power supply is in calibration mode.
Limit The display shows the limit values of voltage and current.
ERROR Hardware or remote interface command errors are detected and
the error bit has not been cleared.
OFF The output of the power supply is disabled (See page 54 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 ann nciators, hold down key as yo t rn on
the power s pply.
Display
Limit
*For E3640A/42A/44A model. **For E3641A/43A/45A model.

6
The Rear Panel at a Glance
Note: The supplier code o the C-Tick or the E3643A/45A is N10149.
Use the front-panel key to:
• Select the GPIB or RS-232 interface (see chapter 3).
• Set the GPIB address (see chapter 3).
• Set the RS-232 baud rate and parity (see chapter 3).
1 AC inlet
2 Power-line fuse-holder assembly
3 Power-line module
4 RS-232 interface connector
5 GPIB (IEEE-488) interface connector
6 Rear output terminals
I/O
Config

7
In This Book
Quick Start Chapter 1 helps you get amiliar with a ew o the power supply’s
the ront panel eature.
General Information Chapter 2 contains a general description o your
power supply. This chapter also provides instructions or installation o your
power supply and the output connections.
Front-Panel Operation Chapter 3 describes in detail the use o ront-panel
keys and how they are used to operate the power supply rom the ront panel.
This chapter also shows how to con igure the power supply or the remote
inter ace and gives a brie introduction to the calibration eatures.
Remote Interface Reference Chapter 4 contains re erence in ormation to
help you program the power supply over the remote inter ace. This chapter
also explains how to program or status reporting.
rror Messages Chapter 5 lists the error messages that may appear as you
are working with the power supply. Each listing contains in ormation to help
you diagnose and solve the problem.
Application Programs Chapter 6 contains some remote inter ace
applications to help you develop programs or your application.
Tutorial Chapter 7 describes basic operation o linear power supplies and
gives speci ic details on the operation and use o your power supply.
Specifications Chapter 8 lists the power supply’s speci ications.
Service Information Contains guidelines to return your power supply to
Agilent Technologies or servicing, procedures or veri ication & calibration,
and replaceable parts list and component locator diagram & schematics.
If you have questions relating to the operation of the power supply, call
1-800-452-4844 in the United tates, or contact your nearest Agilent
Technologies ales Office.
If your power supply fails within three years of purchase, Agilent will repair
or replace it free of charge. Call 1-800-258-5165 ("Express Exchange") in
the United tates, or contact your nearest Agilent Technologies ales Office.

8

9
Contents
Contents
Chapter 1 Quick Start
Preliminary Checkout- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 17
Output Checkout- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 18
Voltage Output Checkout - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 18
Current Output Checkout - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 19
I the Power Supply Does Not Turn On - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 20
Line Voltage Conversion- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 21
To Adjust the Carrying Handle- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 23
To Rack Mount the Instrument - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 24
Chapter 2 General Information
Sa ety Considerations- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 29
Sa ety and EMC Requirements - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 29
Options and Accessories - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 30
Options- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 30
Accessories - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 30
Description - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 31
Installation - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 33
Initial Inspection - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 33
Cooling and Location - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 33
Output Connections - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 34
Current Ratings - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 34
Voltage Drops - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 35
Load Consideration - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 35
Remote Voltage Sensing Connections - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 36
Multiple Loads - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 38
Chapter 3 Front-Panel Operation and Features
Front-Panel Operation Overview - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 41
Constant Voltage Operation - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 42
Constant Current Operation- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 44
Con iguring the Remote Inter ace - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 46
GPIB Con iguration - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 46
RS-232 Con iguration - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 47
Storing and Recalling Operating States - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 48
Programming Overvoltage Protection - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 50
Setting the OVP Level and Enable the OVP Circuit - - - - - - - - 50
Checking OVP Operation - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 51
Clearing the Overvoltage Condition - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 51
Disabling the Output- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 54
Disconnecting the Output Using an External Relay - - - - - - - 54