Keysight E3632A, Service Manual, Page: 24 / 73

1 Calibration Procedures
26 Keysight E3632A Service Guide
Electronic load
Many of the test procedures require the use of a variable load resistor capable of
dissipating the required power. Using a variable load resistor requires that
switches be used to connect, disconnect, and short the load resistor. An
electronic load, if available, can be used in place of a variable load resistor and
switches. The electronic load is considerably easier to use than load resistors. It
eliminates the need for connecting resistors or rheostats in parallel to handle
power, it is much more stable than carbon-pile load, and it makes easy work of
switching between load conditions as is required for the load regulation and load
transient response tests. Substitution of the electronic load requires minor
changes to the test procedures in this chapter.
Current-monitoring resistor
To eliminate output current measurement error caused by the voltage drops in the
leads and connections, connect the current monitoring resistor between the (–)
output terminal and the load as a four-terminal device. Connect the
current-monitoring leads inside the load-lead connections directly at the
monitoring points on the resistor element (see R
M
in Figure 1-1 ).
Programming
Most performance tests can be performed only from the front panel. However, a
GPIB or RS-232 controller is required to perform the voltage and current
programming accuracy and readback accuracy tests.
The test procedures are written assuming that you know how to program the
power supply either from the front panel or from a GPIB or RS-232 controller.
Complete instructions on front panel and remote programming are given in the
E3632A User's Guide .