B+K precision 8500B Series User manual

Contents
1 Compliance Information 5
1.1 EMC ............................................................................. 5
1.2 IEC Measurement Category & Pollution Degree Denitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
1.3 Product End-of-Life Handling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
1.4 TermsandSymbols ................................................................ 7
2 Safety Notices 9
3 General Information 15
3.1 ProductOverview ................................................................ 15
3.2 Features ....................................................................... 16
3.3 Contents ....................................................................... 16
3.4 ProductDimensions ............................................................. 18
3.5 Rackmount Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
3.6 FrontPanelOverview ............................................................ 19
3.6.1 CombinationKeys ............................................................. 20
3.7 RearPanelOverview ............................................................ 21
3.8 DisplayOverview ................................................................ 22
4 Getting Started 23
4.1 Input Power and Fuse Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
4.2 Fuse Requirements and Replacements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
4.3 InputConnection ................................................................ 25
4.3.1 Current Carrying Capacity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
4.3.2 Noise and Impedance Eects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
4.4 Local/RemoteSense ............................................................. 27
4.5 PreliminaryCheck ............................................................... 28
5 Front Panel Operation 30
5.1 Keys ........................................................................... 30
5.1.1 FunctionKeys ................................................................. 30
5.1.2 Numeric Keys and ESC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
5.1.3 NavigationKeys ............................................................... 31
6 Operation Modes 32
6.1 StaticModes .................................................................... 33
6.1.1 RangeConguration ........................................................... 33
6.1.2 Slew Rate Conguration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
6.1.3 Constant Current Mode (CC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
6.1.4 CVMode ..................................................................... 36

3
6.1.5 CRMode ..................................................................... 37
6.1.6 CWMode .................................................................... 38
6.1.7 ShortMode ................................................................... 39
6.2 Transient Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
6.2.1 Continuous Transient Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
6.2.2 Congure Continuous Transient Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
6.2.3 PulseTransientMode .......................................................... 43
6.2.4 Congure Pulse Transient Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
6.2.5 Toggle Transient Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
6.2.6 Congure Toggle Transient Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
6.3 ListMode ....................................................................... 47
6.3.1 Create/Edit a List File . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
6.3.2 RunList ...................................................................... 49
6.4 BatteryMode ................................................................... 50
6.4.1 Battery Test Conguration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
6.4.2 RunBatteryTest .............................................................. 51
6.5 ProgramTest ................................................................... 52
6.5.1 Program Test Conguration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
6.5.2 RunaProgramTest ............................................................ 55
6.6 OCPTestMode ................................................................. 56
6.6.1 OCP Test Conguration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
6.6.2 RunanOCPTest .............................................................. 58
6.7 OPPTestMode ................................................................. 59
6.7.1 OPP Test Conguration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
6.7.2 RunanOPPTest .............................................................. 61
6.8 Current Monitoring (I Monitor) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
6.9 LEDTestMode .................................................................. 62
6.9.1 CongureLEDMode ........................................................... 62
7 System Menu 63
7.1 Navigating the System Menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
7.2 POWER-ON .................................................................... 64
7.3 BUZZER ....................................................................... 64
7.4 Knob ........................................................................... 65
7.5 TRIGGER ...................................................................... 65
7.6 MEMORY ...................................................................... 66
7.7 DISPLAY ....................................................................... 67
7.8 RS-232 ......................................................................... 67
7.9 PROTOCOL .................................................................... 67
7.10 ADDRESS ...................................................................... 68
7.11 RUNMODE ..................................................................... 68
7.12 DEFAULT ....................................................................... 68

4
8 Conguration Menu 69
8.1 Navigating the Conguration Menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70
8.2 Protect ......................................................................... 70
8.2.1 MAX-P ....................................................................... 70
8.2.2 A-LIMIT ...................................................................... 71
8.2.3 P-LIMIT ...................................................................... 71
8.2.4 TIMER ....................................................................... 71
8.3 MEASURE ..................................................................... 72
8.3.1 V-RANGE .................................................................... 72
8.3.2 FILTER ....................................................................... 72
8.3.3 TIME-V1 ..................................................................... 72
8.3.4 TIME-V2 ..................................................................... 72
8.4 Sense .......................................................................... 72
8.5 VON ........................................................................... 73
8.5.1 LIVING ....................................................................... 73
8.5.2 LATCH ....................................................................... 73
8.6 RESET ......................................................................... 73
9 Specications 74
10 Service Information 76
11 LIMITED THREE-YEAR WARRANTY 77

Compliance Information
1.1 EMC
EC Declaration of Conformity - EMC
Compliance was demonstrated to the following specications listed in the Ocial Journal of the European
Communities: EMC Directive 2014/30/EU.
EN 61010-1:2010 Safety requirements for electrical equipment for measurement, control,
and laboratory use Part 1: General requirements

Compliance Information 6
1.2 IEC Measurement Category & Pollution Degree Denitions
Measurement Category (CAT) - classication of testing and measuring circuits according to the types
of mains circuits to which they are intended to be connected.
Measurement Category other than II, III, or IV : circuits that are not directly connected
to the mains supply.
Measurement Category II (CAT II) : test and measuring circuits connected directly to
utilization points (socket outlets and similar prints) of the low-voltage mains installation.
Measurement Category III (CAT III) : test and measuring circuits connected to the
distribution part of a building’s low-voltage mains installation.
Measurement Category IV (CAT IV) : test and measuring circuits connected at the
source of the building’s low-voltage mains installation.
Mains Isolated : is for measurements performed on circuits not directly connected to a
mains supply.
Pollution - addition of foreign matter, solid, liquid, or gaseous (ionized gases) that may produce a
reduction of dielectric strength or surface resistivity.
Pollution Degree 2 (P2) - only non-conductive pollution occurs except that occasionally a
temporary conductivity caused by condensation is expected

Compliance Information 7
1.3 Product End-of-Life Handling
The equipment may contain substances that could be harmful to the environment or human health if
improperly handled at the product’s end of life. To avoid release of such substances into the environment
and to reduce the use of natural resources, we encourage you to recycle this product to an appropriate
system that will ensure that most of the materials are reused or recycled appropriately.
This product is subject to Directive 2012/19/EU of the European Parliament and the
Council of the European Union on waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE), and
in jurisdictions adopting that Directive, is marked as being put on the market after August
13, 2005, and should not be disposed of as unsorted municipal waste. Please utilize your
local WEEE collection facilities in the disposition of this product.
1.4 Terms and Symbols
Terms
A caution statement calls attention to an operating procedure,
practice, or condition, which, if not followed correctly, could result
in damage to or destruction of parts or the entire product.
A warning statement calls attention to an operating procedure,
practice, or condition, which, if not followed correctly, could result
in injury or death to personnel.
A note statement calls attention to an operating procedure, practice, or condition,
which, should be noted before proceeding.

Compliance Information 8
Symbols
WARNING - HIGH VOLTAGE - possibility of electric shock.
CAUTION – Statements or instructions that must be consulted in
order to nd out the nature of the potential hazard and any actions
which must be taken.
On (Supply). This is the AC mains connect/disconnect switch on the front of the
instrument.
O (Supply). This is the AC mains connect/disconnect switch on the front of the
instrument.
Alternating current
Chassis (earth ground) symbol
Earth (ground) TERMINAL - Refer to the instructions accompanying this symbol
in this manual.

Safety Notices
The following safety precautions apply to both operating and maintenance personnel and must be followed
during all phases of operation, service, and repair of this instrument.
Before applying power to this instrument:
• Read and understand the safety and operational information in this manual.
• Apply all the listed safety precautions.
• Verify that the voltage selector at the line power cord input is set to the correct line voltage. Operating
the instrument at an incorrect line voltage will void the warranty.
• Make all connections to the instrument before applying power.
• Do not operate the instrument in ways not specied by this manual or by B&K Precision.
Failure to comply with these precautions or with warnings elsewhere in this manual violates the safety
standards of design, manufacture, and intended use of the instrument. B&K Precision assumes no
liability for a customer’s failure to comply with these requirements.
Electrical Power
This instrument is intended to be powered from a CATEGORY II mains power environment. The mains
power should be 115 V RMS or 230 V RMS. Use only the power cord supplied with the instrument and
ensure it is appropriate for your country of use.
Do not use this instrument in an electrical environment with a
higher category rating than what is specied in this manual for this
instrument.
You must ensure that each accessory you use with this instrument
has a category rating equal to or higher than the instrument’s
category rating to maintain the instrument’s category rating. Failure
to do so will lower the category rating of the measuring system.

Safety Notices 10
Ground the Instrument
To minimize shock hazard, the instrument chassis and cabinet must
be connected to an electrical safety ground. This instrument is
grounded through the ground conductor of the supplied, three-
conductor AC line power cable. The power cable must be plugged
into an approved three-conductor electrical outlet. The power jack
and mating plug of the power cable meet IEC safety standards.
Do not alter or defeat the ground connection. Without the safety
ground connection, all accessible conductive parts (including
control knobs) may provide an electric shock. Failure to use a
properly-grounded approved outlet and the recommended three-
conductor AC line power cable may result in injury or death.
Unless otherwise stated, a ground connection on the instrument’s
front or rear panel is for a reference of potential only and is not
to be used as a safety ground. Do not operate in an explosive or
ammable atmosphere.

Safety Notices 11
Environmental Conditions
This instrument is intended to be used in an indoor pollution degree 2 environment. The operating
temperature range is 0∘C to 40∘C and 20% to 80% relative humidity, with no condensation allowed.
Measurements made by this instrument may be outside specications if the instrument is used in non-
oce-type environments. Such environments may include rapid temperature or humidity changes, sunlight,
vibration and/or mechanical shocks, acoustic noise, electrical noise, strong electric elds, or strong
magnetic elds.
Do not operate the instrument in the presence of ammable gases or
vapors, fumes, or nely-divided particulates.
The instrument is designed to be used in oce-type indoor
environments. Do not operate the instrument
• In the presence of noxious, corrosive, or ammable fumes,
gases, vapors, chemicals, or nely-divided particulates.
• In relative humidity conditions outside the instrument’s
specications.
• In environments where there is a danger of any liquid being
spilled on the instrument or where any liquid can condense on
the instrument.
• In air temperatures exceeding the specied operating temperatures.
• In atmospheric pressures outside the specied altitude limits or
where the surrounding gas is not air.
• In environments with restricted cooling air ow, even if the air
temperatures are within specications.
• In direct sunlight.

Safety Notices 12
Do not operate instrument if damaged
If the instrument is damaged, appears to be damaged, or if any
liquid, chemical, or other material gets on or inside the instrument,
remove the instrument’s power cord, remove the instrument from
service, label it as not to be operated, and return the instrument to
B&K Precision for repair. Notify B&K Precision of the nature of any
contamination of the instrument.
Hazardous voltages may be present in unexpected locations in
circuitry being tested when a fault condition in the circuit exists.
Clean the instrument only as instructed
Do not clean the instrument, its switches, or its terminals with
contact cleaners, abrasives, lubricants, solvents, acids/bases,
or other such chemicals. Clean the instrument only with a clean
dry lint-free cloth or as instructed in this manual. Not for critical
applications.

Safety Notices 13
Do not touch live circuits
Instrument covers must not be removed by operating personnel.
Component replacement and internal adjustments must be made
by qualied service-trained maintenance personnel who are aware
of the hazards involved when the instrument’s covers and shields
are removed. Under certain conditions, even with the power cord
removed, dangerous voltages may exist when the covers are
removed.
To avoid injuries, always disconnect the power cord from the instrument, disconnect all other connections
(for example, test leads, computer interface cables, etc.), discharge all circuits, and verify there are
no hazardous voltages present on any conductors by measurements with a properly-operating voltage-
sensing device before touching any internal parts. Verify the voltage-sensing device is working properly
before and after making the measurements by testing with known-operating voltage sources and test for
both DC and AC voltages.
Do not attempt any service or adjustment unless another person capable of rendering rst aid and
resuscitation is present.
General Safety
Do not insert any object into an instrument’s ventilation openings or
other openings.
This instrument is not authorized for use in contact with the human
body or for use as a component in a life-support device or system.

Safety Notices 14
Servicing
Do not substitute parts that are not approved by B&K Precision or
modify this instrument. Return the instrument to B&K Precision for
service and repair to ensure that safety and performance features
are maintained.
Fuse replacement must be done by qualied service-trained
maintenance personnel who are aware of the instrument’s fuse
requirements and safe replacement procedures. Disconnect the
instrument from the power line before replacing fuses. Replace
fuses only with new fuses of the fuse types, voltage ratings, and
current ratings specied in this manual or on the back of the
instrument. Failure to do so may damage the instrument, lead to a
safety hazard, or cause a re. Failure to use the specied fuses will
void the warranty.
For continued safe use of the instrument
• Do not place heavy objects on the instrument.
• Do not obstruct cooling air ow to the instrument.
• Do not place a hot soldering iron on the instrument.
• Do not pull the instrument with the power cord, connected probe, or connected test lead.
• Do not move the instrument when a probe is connected to a circuit being tested.

General Information
3.1 Product Overview
The 8500B Series DC Electronic Loads are versatile instruments used for static and dynamic testing of
DC power supplies, batteries, DC-to-DC converters, battery chargers, and other applications including
fuel-cell, and solar cell test. Primary modes include constant voltage (CV), constant current (CC),
constant resistance (CR), and constant power (CW). A wide range of dynamic loading applications can
also be simulated through user-programmable slew rates, load levels, duration, and conducting voltage.
Further, transient, list mode, battery mode, and LED modes further extend testing capabilities. Versatile
triggering options allow the dynamic load behavior to be synchronized with other events. The DC load is
remotely programmable via the TTL serial interface. This interface requires 0-5V signal levels and can
connect to typical serial ports via an adapter such as the IT-E132B.
Model 8542B 8500B 8502B 8510B 8514B
Power 150 W 300 W 300 W 600 W 1500 W
Rated Voltage 150 V 150 V 500 V 120 V 120 V
Rated Current 30 A 30 A 15 A 120 A 240 A
Table 3.1 HVL Series Models
Figure 3.1 8500B

General Information 16
3.2 Features
• 16-bit voltage and current measurement system providing up to 0.1 mV / 0.1 mA resolution
• Supports both SCPI and backwards compatible 8500 series protocol
• CC/CV/CR/CW operating modes
• List mode
• Transient mode up to 10 kHz in CC mode
• Measurement speed up to 40 kHz
• Remote sense function
• Battery test function
• OCP and OPP automatic test
• CR-LED function
• Store/recall up to 100 setups
• Analog current monitoring
• Adjustable slew rate in CC mode
• OVP/OCP/OPP/OTP and reverse voltage protection
3.3 Contents
Please inspect the instrument mechanically and electrically upon receiving it. Unpack all items from the
shipping carton, and check for any obvious signs of physical damage that may have occurred during
transportation. Report any damage to the shipping agent immediately.
Save the original packing carton for possible future reshipment. Every instrument is shipped with the
following contents:
• 8500B series DC Electronic load
• IT-E132B USB to TTL adapter
• AC Power Cord
• Certicate of Calibration

General Information 17
Verify that all items above are included in the shipping container. If anything is
missing, please contact B&K Precision.

General Information 18
3.4 Product Dimensions
All models are designed to t in a standard 19-inch rackmount. The dimensions are shown in table 3.2.
Model Dimensions (W x H x D) Weight
8542B 8500B
8502B 8.5” x 3.5” x 14” (214.5 x 88.2 x 354.6 mm) 10.3 lbs (4.7 kg)
8510B 8.5” x 3.5” x 18.5” (214.5 x 88.2 x 470 mm) 15.8 lbs (7.2 kg)
8514B 17.2” x 3.5” x 18.5” (436.5 x 88.2 x 470 mm) 45 lbs (20.5 kg)
Table 3.2 Dimensions and Weight
3.5 Rackmount Installation
The instrument can be installed in a standard 19 inch rack. For half-rack models, the optional rackmount
kit IT-E151 is required. Figure 3.2 shows one of the half-rack sized units using the IT-E151 rackmount
kit. This rackmount kit also accommodates up to two half-rack models installed side by side. The full
size 8514B includes rack mounting ears.
Figure 3.2 Half-Rack sized Unit

General Information 19
3.6 Front Panel Overview
Figure 3.3 Front Panel
Item Name Description
1 Display Vacuum Fluorescent Display
2 Power Button Toggles the instrument ON or OFF.
3 Numeric Keypad Used to enter precise values and call advanced
functions.
4 Function Keys See section 5.1.1 for details.
5 Navigation Keys Used to navigate menus or congure parameters.
6 Rotary Knob Used to navigate menus or congure parameters.
7 Input Terminals Front terminals providing spade connection and 4mm
banana plug.
Table 3.3 Front Panel Overview

General Information 20
3.6.1 Combination Keys
Press button rst and then other keys to activate the more advanced functions.
+Turn short circuit on or o.
+Start or stop transient condition.
+Set LIST operation parameters.
+Store the DC Load state in non-volatile memory.
+Turn on or o battery testing function.
+Enter auto test function.
+Display product’s Model/SN/Version.
+System menu setting
+Congure menu setting
+Press this button if you need a pause when running an auto test le.
+Cause an immediate trigger.
+Enter OCP test function.
+Set detailed parameters in CC/CV/CW/CR mode.
+Enter OPP test function.
+Recall the DC Load state from non-volatile memory.
+Key lock function