Section 3: Functions and features
Model 2281S-20-6 DC Power Supply and Battery Simulator Reference Manual
3-54
077114601 / March 2019
Sink operation
When the 2281S is operating as a sink, current has opposite polarity and the instrument is absorbing
power rather than sourcing it. The instrument can be forced into sink operation by an external source,
such as a battery, or an energy storage device, such as a capacitor. For detail on the sink region, see
the following figure. The sink current is nonprogrammable and the maximum sink current is
1 A ± 10 percent.
Figure 95: Sink operation
For example, if a 12 V battery is connected to the voltage source (HI to battery high) that is
programmed for +10 V, sink operation occurs in quadrant IV (V and measure
–I).
The 2281S always absorbs current at its maximum capacity, which is approximately 1 A. This
sink current is not programmable. If the maximum output current of the battery under test is
less than 1 A, you should connect a resistor between the instrument and the battery to
prevent the battery from switching into protection mode or being damaged.