Ametek Amrel PLA 2U, Operation Manual

Page: 89 / 162

M470039-01 REV-F Page 88
STEP FUNCTION
The eLoa d provides 256 points for self-pro gra mming ca pability for which pa ra meters ca n be progra mmed in the Menu
function. This feature a llows the users to crea te a mini progra m a nd automa te the control of the eLoad without the need
of computer, GPIB, USB, ETHERNET or RS -232 communication interfa ce. The user is a ble to set Pro gra mming Points,
Loop Number, Step Mode a nd Time Dura tion (dwell time).
At the Meter Mode, press the STEP key. This will lea d eLoa d to its step entry menu. Press the STEP menu button to
select between time dura tion (dwell time) a nd step va lue for ea ch step number. To cha nge va lue a nd time dura tion for
ea ch step press a nd hold the encoder to select a nd clea r to exit. Turn the encoder to increment/decrement the step
number.
After configuring ea ch step, the step sequence will need to be defined. Two pa ra meters will determine the beha vior of the
overa ll step cycle. Under MENU
→
LOAD CONTROL
→
STEP PARAM. , there a re two pa ra meters, (STEP) COUNT
a nd (STEP) MODE.
STEP COUNT
COUNT is the number of loops the step progra m will be repea ted. The stepping function provides loop control with
COUNT, which instructs the eLoa d to repea t the stepping function, ba sed on the COUNT. For insta nce, if the COUNT is
set to 10 a nd the eLoa d will cycle the desired steps 10 times. If the COUNT is infinity, then eLoa d will cycle the stepping
infinitely.
To configure the Step Count pa ra meter, Press the "Menu/Loca l" key press ENTER, then use the encoder

to select the
STEP PARAM. function then the "ENTER" key. Turn the encoder

to select the Step COUNT then press the
"ENTER” key twice to enter the va lue or use the encoder

to increment or decrement the va lue. Press the “ENTER”
key to confirm the selection. Press “CLEAR” key to exit from the STEP Configuration Menu.
STEP MODE
MODE provides selection to the different types of step opera tion: STEP, STEP AUTO, a nd STEP ONCE.
1. Step will initia te step opera tion without a trigger signa l a nd repea t until end of the loop number.
2. Step Auto will wa it for a *TRG comma nd or TRIG (via PC SCPI comma nd) or front pa nel trigger to initia te the
step opera tion a nd will end a t the end of the loop number.
3. Step Once will a ctiva te one step for every trigger signa l received.
To configure the Step MODE pa ra meter, Press the "Menu/Loca l" key press ENTER, then use the encoder

to select
the STEP PARAM. function then the "ENTER" key. Turn the encoder

to select the Step MODE then press the
"ENTER” key. Different step MODE selections will a ppea r, select the a ppropria te choice using the encoder

a nd
press “ENTER”” to confirm the selection. Press the “ENTER” key to confirm the selection. Press “CLEAR” key to exit
from the STEP Configura tion Menu.
ENTERING STEP MODE VALUES
Exa mple:
The test applica tion requires (3) steps to be performed in the Step Mode with the following criteria . Step (1) in the CC
mode with 5 a mps for 800 ms, step (2) in the CC mode with 10 a mps for 400 ms, a nd step (3) in the CC mode with 50
a mps for 200 ms.
Note: CC Mode has 3 ranges. Therefore, if stepping values are in the manual high range, main level value must be set to
high range or switch to auto range to cover all current step entries.
1. Choose the STEP tra nsient mode by toggling the Step Pa rameters selection to Step via the Menu
→
Loa d Control ->
Step Pa ra meters. Pre ss enter to choose the menu selection a nd turn the encoder

to se lect the STEP tra nsient
mode a nd press ENTER key to confirm.