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Series 2600B System SourceMeter® Instrument Reference Manual
Section 4: Theory of operation
2600BS-901-01 Rev. C / August 2016
4-19
Make sure to take into account that reversing the polarity may destroy some power sources. To
prevent a negative charge, monitor the SMU’s measurement of the battery voltage and stop the
discharge before the the Series 2600B starts to operate in quadrant III (negative voltage). You can
stop the discharge by changing the programmed current source level or by disconnecting the SMU
from the device.
In the following figure, as the battery drains, the battery voltage is lowered as shown by the green
arrow. Operation will continue in this direction until the user stops operation or the voltage reaches
the voltage compliance limit line.
Since the battery is a power source, operation in this example is limited by the capability of the
battery to deliver 50 mA (see the following figure).
Figure 99: Considerations when sourcing current and sinking power