8
Initial Operation
This section is a general introduction to the organisation of the instrument and is intended to be
read before using it for the first time. It is important to recognise that compliance quality
measurements cannot be taken by relying on the instrument defaults. A full understanding of the
various configuration options must be gained by studying the detailed descriptions of each
function which follow in the sections of this manual below, starting with Power Meter.
In this manual front panel keys and connectors are shown in capitals, e.g.
METER, VOLTAGE
MONITOR
; all soft-key labels, messages and data values displayed on the LCD are shown in a
different type font, e.g.
Setup Range, Load Declared Class A.
Switching On
With both the POWER and LOAD switches in the OFF position connect the
INSTRUMENT
POWER
lead to the standard AC supply and connect the
LOAD
POWER
lead to a suitable low
distortion AC source as described in the Installation section.
Switch the POWER switch to ON to turn the instrument power on; the display will show the
Initialisation screen for a few seconds followed by the Select screen. A 20 second time-out is
started, with a count down shown on the display. If no key is pressed during this time out, or if the
Resume Operation
soft-key (F5) is pressed, the instrument will continue operation using the
Test and Report parameters automatically stored at the last power
−
down; the parameter settings
stored are given in the table at the end of this chapter. The instrument will start up with the LCD
showing the Waveform Graph display. The display will show the load voltage waveform, which
will appear to be unstable for 4 to 5 seconds or more until the sampling clock synchronises
exactly with the incoming supply; the display will then show a single cycle of the voltage
waveform with the rising zero-crossing point at the left edge.
The second soft-key option on the Select screen is
Restore Defaults
; this continues
operation with all parameters defaulted to their original factory setting. The stored parameters
and their default settings are listed in the table at the end of this chapter.
The final soft-key option is
Setup,
which gives access to a further screen where the soft-keys
are
Restart
and
Update
Software
.
Restart
returns the instrument to the Initialisation
screen.
Update Software
selects the mode in which the instrument’s firmware can be
updated from a PC via its RS232 or USB port; see the section of the Firmware Update chapter of
this manual for details.
If the load is now connected and the
LOAD
switch also turned to
ON
the load current waveform
will also show in the display; the instrument will auto-range to show the current waveform at the
best resolution achievable. Load power is always disconnected, even if the LOAD switch is ON,
when INSTRUMENT POWER is turned off.
Safety Note:
Neither the POWER switch, nor the LOAD switch, fully disconnect their respective
AC supplies when switched to the OFF position. To fully disconnect from the AC supply unplug
the mains cords from the AC supply outlets; make sure that the means of disconnection are
readily accessible. Disconnect from the AC supplies when not in use.
Display Contrast
The contrast of the LCD may vary a little with changes of ambient temperature or viewing angle
but can be optimised for a particular environment by using the front panel contrast control. Insert
a small screwdriver or trimmer tool through the adjustment aperture marked LCD and rotate the
control for optimum contrast.