GW Instek PCS-1000 User manual

Precision Current Shunt Meter
PCS-1000
USER MANUAL
GW INSTEK PART NO. 82CS-1K000EB1
ISO-9001 CERTIFIED MANUFACTURER
99 Washington Street
Melrose, MA 02176
TestEquipmentDepot.com

This manual contains proprietary information, which is protected by
copyright. All rights are reserved. No part of this manual may be
photocopied, reproduced or translated to another language without
prior written consent of Good Will company.
The information in this manual was correct at the time of printing.
However, Good Will continues to improve products and reserves the
rights to change specification, equipment, and maintenance
procedures at any time without notice.
Good Will Instrument Co., Ltd.
No. 7-1, Jhongsing Rd., Tucheng Dist., New Taipei City 236, Taiwan.

Table of Contents
3
Table of Contents
SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS ................................................... 4
GETTING STARTED ........................................................... 8
PCS-1000 Overview ................................ 9
Appearance .......................................... 11
OPERATION .................................................................... 18
Set Up.................................................. 19
Basic Operation ................................... 25
COMMUNICATION INTERFACE ...................................... 42
Interface Configuration ........................ 44
Command Syntax ................................. 56
Command List ..................................... 59
Status Registers ................................... 86
Error Messages.................................... 87
APPENDIX ...................................................................... 88
PCS Default Settings ............................ 88
LED ASCII Table Character Set ............. 88
PCS-1000 Specifications....................... 89
PCS Dimensions .................................. 91
Declaration of Conformity .................... 92
INDEX............................................................................. 93

PCS-1000 User Manual
4
SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
This chapter contains important safety
instructions that you must follow during
operation and storage. Read the following before
any operation to insure your safety and to keep
the instrument in the best possible condition.
Safety Symbols
These safety symbols may appear in this manual or on the
instrument.
WARNING
Warning: Identifies conditions or practices that
could result in injury or loss of life.
CAUTION
Caution: Identifies conditions or practices that
could result in damage to the instrument or to
other properties.
DANGER High Voltage
Attention Refer to the Manual
Protective Conductor Terminal
Earth (ground) Terminal
Do not dispose electronic equipment as unsorted
municipal waste. Please use a separate collection
facility or contact the supplier from which this
instrument was purchased.

SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
5
Safety Guidelines
General
Guideline
CAUTION
Do not place any heavy object on the
instrument.
Avoid severe impact or rough handling that
leads to damaging the instrument.
Do not discharge static electricity to the
instrument.
Use only mating connectors, not bare wires, for
the terminals.
Do not block the cooling fan opening.
Do not disassemble the instrument unless you
are qualified.
(Measurement categories) EN 61010-1:2001 specifies the
measurement categories and their requirements as follows. The
instrument falls under category II (600VAC).
Measurement category IV is for measurement performed at the
source of low-voltage installation.
Measurement category III is for measurement performed in the
building installation.
Measurement category II is for measurement performed on the
circuits directly connected to the low voltage installation.
Measurement category I is for measurements performed on
circuits not directly connected to Mains.
Power Supply
WARNING
AC Input voltage range:
100V/120V/220V/240V ±10% (selectable range)
Frequency: 50/60Hz
To avoid electrical shock connect the protective
grounding conductor of the AC power cord to
an earth ground.
Cleaning the
Instrument
Disconnect the power cord before cleaning.
Use a soft cloth dampened in a solution of mild
detergent and water. Do not spray any liquid.
Do not use chemicals containing harsh material
such as benzene, toluene, xylene, and acetone.

PCS-1000 User Manual
6
Operation
Environment
Location: Indoor, no direct sunlight, dust free,
almost non-conductive pollution (Note below)
Relative Humidity: Full accuracy to 80% RH, at
40°C
Altitude: < 2000m
Temperature: 0°C to 50°C
(Pollution Degree) EN 61010-1:2001 specifies the pollution degrees
and their requirements as follows. The instrument falls under
degree 2.
Pollution refers to “addition of foreign matter, solid, liquid, or
gaseous (ionized gases), that may produce a reduction of dielectric
strength or surface resistivity”.
Pollution degree 1: No pollution or only dry, non-conductive
pollution occurs. The pollution has no influence.
Pollution degree 2: Normally only non-conductive pollution
occurs. Occasionally, however, a temporary conductivity caused
by condensation must be expected.
Pollution degree 3: Conductive pollution occurs, or dry, non-
conductive pollution occurs which becomes conductive due to
condensation which is expected. In such conditions, equipment
is normally protected against exposure to direct sunlight,
precipitation, and full wind pressure, but neither temperature
nor humidity is controlled.
Storage
environment
Location: Indoor
Temperature: -40°C to 70°C
Relative Humidity: <90%
Disposal
Do not dispose this instrument as unsorted
municipal waste. Please use a separate collection
facility or contact the supplier from which this
instrument was purchased. Please make sure
discarded electrical waste is properly recycled to
reduce environmental impact.

SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
7
Power cord for the United Kingdom
When using the instrument in the United Kingdom, make sure the
power cord meets the following safety instructions.
NOTE: This lead/appliance must only be wired by competent persons
WARNING: THIS APPLIANCE MUST BE EARTHED
IMPORTANT: The wires in this lead are coloured in accordance with the
following code:
Green/ Yellow:
Earth
Blue:
Neutral
Brown:
Live (Phase)
As the colours of the wires in main leads may not correspond with
the coloured marking identified in your plug/appliance, proceed
as follows:
The wire which is coloured Green & Yellow must be connected to
the Earth terminal marked with either the letter E, the earth symbol
or coloured Green/Green & Yellow.
The wire which is coloured Blue must be connected to the terminal
which is marked with the letter N or coloured Blue or Black.
The wire which is coloured Brown must be connected to the
terminal marked with the letter L or P or coloured Brown or Red.
If in doubt, consult the instructions provided with the equipment
or contact the supplier.
This cable/appliance should be protected by a suitably rated and
approved HBC mains fuse: refer to the rating information on the
equipment and/or user instructions for details. As a guide, a cable
of 0.75mm2should be protected by a 3A or 5A fuse. Larger
conductors would normally require 13A types, depending on the
connection method used.
Any exposed wiring from a cable, plug or connection that is
engaged in a live socket is extremely hazardous. If a cable or plug is
deemed hazardous, turn off the mains power and remove the cable,
any fuses and fuse assemblies. All hazardous wiring must be
immediately destroyed and replaced in accordance to the above
standard.

PCS-1000 User Manual
8
GETTING STARTED
This chapter describes the instrument in a
nutshell, including its main features and front /
rear panel introduction.
PCS-1000 Overview ........................................................... 9
Main Features.............................................................................................. 9
Accessories ................................................................................................10
Appearance ..................................................................... 11
Front Panel ................................................................................................11
Rear Panel..................................................................................................16

GETTING STARTED
9
PCS-1000 Overview
The PCS-1000 uses five high-precision shunt resistors as the basis
for accurate current and voltage measurements. The 5 shunt ranges
are 0.001Ω, 0.01Ω, 0.1Ω, 1Ω, 10Ω with a current measurement range
of 300A, 30A, 3A, 300mA and 30mA, respectively.
Main Features
Performance
Wide DC/AC voltage range
(200mV ~ 600VAC/1000VDC)
Wide AC/DC current range (30mA ~ 300A)
Low drift at all ranges
Low temperature coefficients
Features
Shunts: 0.001Ω, 0.01Ω, 0.1Ω, 1Ω, 10Ω
Current Meter (6 1/2 digits current meter)
Voltage Meter (6 1/2 digits voltage meter)
Current Monitor
Voltage and current can be measured at the
same time.
Interface
USB
GPIB for SCPI commands

PCS-1000 User Manual
10
Accessories
Standard
Accessories
Part number
Description
Region dependant
User manual
Region dependant
Power cord
GTL-105A
Alligator clip test leads (3A
max): 1x red, 1x black
GTL-207
Banana plug test leads:
1x red, 1x black
GTL-240
USB Cable
PCS-001
Basic Accessory Kit:
Bolt HMS M8*16 x2
Nut hexagon M8*0.75P x2
Spring washer M8
8.4*13.7*1.5T x2
Plain washer M8
8.4*16*1.6T x2
Optional
Accessories
Part number
Description
GRA-419-J
Rack mount adapter (JIS)
GRA-419-E
Rack mount adapter (EIA)

GETTING STARTED
11
Appearance
Front Panel
Local AC / DC 300A / 30A 3A Range
Func
AC / DC Range
RMT ACA 30A Auto
mA
A
CURRENT
ACV DCV Auto
mV
V
VOLTAGE
PCS-1000
: Long Push
Auto
DC 1000V
AC 600V
MAX
Current
Monitor
3A
MAX
30A
MAX
DCA 300A ERROR
CAT II 600V
Func Select
Auto
Enter
( No Fuse ) ( Fused )
POWER INPUT INPUT OUTPUT INPUT
1
6
914
23 54
1512 13
78 10 11
1. Power Switch
POWER
Turn on or off the main power.
2. AC/DC 30A
Terminal
30A
MAX
( No Fuse )
INPUT
Accepts DC/AC. 30A maximum
current input.
Warning: The maximum
voltage difference between the
negative terminal and earth
cannot exceed 500Vpeak.

PCS-1000 User Manual
12
3. AC/DC 3A
Terminal
3A
MAX
( Fused )
INPUT
Accepts DC/AC. 3A maximum
current input. Internally, there is a
fuse which protects the instrument
from over current:
Fuse Rating: T3.5A, 600V
Note: If the fuse is damaged,
please contact your dealer or a
GW Instek service center to
replace the fuse.
Warning: The maximum
voltage difference between the
negative terminal and earth
cannot exceed 500Vpeak.
4. Current
Monitor
Sensor
Current
Monitor
OUTPUT
Current Monitor Output.
Range 0~300mV (0~full scale of
selected input range).
5. AC/DC
Voltage
Terminal
DC 1000V
AC 600V
MAX
INPUT
Accepts DC 1000V or AC 600V
maximum voltage input.
Warning: The maximum
voltage difference between the
negative terminal and earth
cannot exceed 500Vpeak.

GETTING STARTED
13
6. Local
Func
Func
AC / DCLocal
Local: Press to switch to local
mode.
Func
(long push)
Func: Long push to enter the
Function menu. The Function
menu is used to configure the
instrument.
7. ◄Func ►
Func
AC / DCLocal
Func
Use the Func arrows keys to
scroll through each function
when in the Function menu.
8. AC/DC
(Current)
Func
Func
AC / DCLocal
Selects DC or AC current
measurement.
9. 300A/30A
Select
Auto
3A Range300A / 30A
Manually select the 300A or
30A measurement range.
10. ▼Select ▲
Auto
3A Range300A / 30A
Select
Use the Select arrow keys to
edit parameter values when
in the Function menu.
11. 3A Range
Select
Auto
3A Range300A / 30A
3A Range: Manually Select
the 30mA, 300mA, or 3A
measurement range.
Auto
(long push)
Auto: Long push to
automatically select 30mA,
300mA or 3A measurement
ranges.

PCS-1000 User Manual
14
12. AC/DC
(Voltage)
AC / DC
Selects DC or AC voltage
measurement.
13. Range
Enter
Auto
Range
Manually select the voltage
measurement range:
DC: 200mV, 2V, 20V, 200V,
1000V
AC: 200mV, 2V, 20V, 200V,
600V
Enter
Secondary function that
confirms selections when in
the Function menu.
Auto
(long push)
Voltage auto range.
14. Current Meter
RMT ACA 30A Auto
mA
A
CURRENT
ACV DCV Auto
mV
V
VOLTAGE
DCA 300A ERROR
Displays current measurement.
RMT
The RMT icon will turn on when
the instrument is in remote mode.
ACA
AC current measurement mode
indicator.
DCA
DC current measurement mode
indicator.
300A
300A measurement range
indicator. Equivalent to choosing
the rear panel 300A terminal.
30A
30A measurement range indicator.
Equivalent to choosing the front
panel 30A terminal.

GETTING STARTED
15
Auto
Autorange indicator for the 30mA,
300mA and 3A ranges. If the
Autorange indicator is off, then
that indicates that the range has
been manually selected.
mA
Milliamp unit indicator.
A
Ampere unit indicator.
15. Voltage Meter
RMT ACA 30A Auto
mA
A
CURRENT
ACV DCV Auto
mV
V
VOLTAGE
DCA 300A ERROR
Displays voltage measurement.
ERROR
Indicates an interface error. The
SYSTem:ERRor? query can be
used to read back error messages.
See page 87 and 74 for details.
ACV
AC voltage measurement mode
indicator.
DCV
DC voltage measurement mode
indicator.
Auto
Autorange indicator. If the Auto
indicator is off, then that indicates
that the range has been manually
selected.
mV
Millivolt unit indicator.
V
Volt unit indicator.
Warning:
For the 3A, 30A and 300A terminals on the front and
rear panels, the maximum voltage difference
between the negative terminal and earth cannot
exceed 500Vpeak.

PCS-1000 User Manual
16
Rear Panel
GPIB
300A MAX.
50 / 60 Hz 35VA MAX.
LINE RATING
FUSE LINE
100VAC
120VAC
220VAC
240VAC
T200mA
SER.NO. LABEL
AND TEST LEADS BEFORE
DISCONNECT POWER CORD
REPLACING FUSE
INPUT
T100mA
( NO FUSE )
17 18
16 20
19
16. Power Cord
Socket
Fuse Socket
100
220
120
240
Accepts the power cord.
Input: AC 100/120/220/240V
±10%
Line frequency: 50Hz/60Hz
Power: 35VA Max
Fuse rating: T200mA, 250V for
AC 100/120V; T100mA, 250V for
AC 220/240V
17. GPIB
Communicati
on Port
GPIB used for remote control.
18. USB
Communicati
on Port
USB B device port. Used for
remote control and firmware
update.

GETTING STARTED
17
19. AC/DC 300A
Terminal
300A MAX.
INPUT ( NO FUSE )
Accepts AC/DC.
300A maximum
current input.
20. Fan
Temperature controlled fan.

PCS-1000 User Manual
18
OPERATION
Set Up............................................................................. 19
Power Up ................................................................................................... 19
Rack Mount ...............................................................................................20
Wire Gauge Considerations ......................................................................21
Input Terminals .........................................................................................22
Basic Operation .............................................................. 25
Selecting AC/DC Current .......................................................................... 25
Selecting the Current Range...................................................................... 25
Selecting AC/DC Voltage........................................................................... 26
Selecting the Voltage Range...................................................................... 27
Voltage Range Conversion Table .............................................................. 28
Crest Factor Table ..................................................................................... 29
Using the Current Monitor Output........................................................... 30
How to Use the Function Menu ............................................................... 31
View the Software Version......................................................................... 33
Default Settings ......................................................................................... 34
Setting the USB-UART Baud Rate............................................................. 35
Setting the GPIB Address.......................................................................... 36
Setting the AD Speed ................................................................................ 37
Setting the Averaging Mode...................................................................... 38
Setting the Averaging Number for the DCV/ACV/DCA/ACA .................. 39
Setting the Autozero Function ..................................................................40
Beeper Settings.......................................................................................... 41

OPERATION
19
Set Up
Power Up
Steps
1. Connect the power cord to the rear panel
socket.
2. Press the power switch.
The unit will perform a calibration data and
ROM check and then display the software
version momentarily before it is ready to be
used.
RMT ACA 30A Auto
mA
A
CURRENT
ACV DCV Auto
mV
V
VOLTAGE
DCA 300A ERROR
Note
In the event the calibration data and ROM check
fails, CAL DATA FAIL will be displayed on the
screen, as shown below. If the calibration data and
ROM check fails, return the unit to an authorized
GW Instek service center.
RMT ACA 30A Auto
mA
A
CURRENT
ACV DCV Auto
mV
V
VOLTAGE
DCA 300A ERROR
Note: The CAL DATA FAIL message will remain on
the display until it is cleared. Press any key to clear
the error message.

PCS-1000 User Manual
20
Rack Mount
Background
The PCS-1000 has two types of the racks, GRA-
419-E and the GRA-419-J for the EIA and JIS
standards, respectively. Both types of the racks
are 2U height racks and can fit 1 or 2 units. See
the GRA-419 assembly manual for details.
GRA-419-E
GRA-419-J