
Page 46
Intepro Systems
www.inteproate.com
PS 9000 3U Series
3.2.2 Current regulation / constant current / current limiting
Current regulation is also known as current limitation or constant current mode (CC).
The DC output current is held constant by the power supply as soon as the output current flowing to the load
reaches the adjusted current set value. The actual current results from the output voltage and the load’s true
resistance. As long as the output current is lower than the adjusted current set value, the device will be either in
constant voltage or constant power mode. If, however, the power consumption reaches the adjusted power set
value, the device will automatically switch to power limitation and set the output current according to I
MAX
= P
SET
/
U
IN
, even if the current set value is higher.
While the DC output is switched on and constant current mode is active, then the condition “CC mode active” will be
indicated on the display by the abbreviation CC, as well stored as status which can also be read via digital interface.
3.2.3 Power regulation / constant power / power limiting
Power regulation, also known as power limiting or constant power (CP), keeps
the DC output power of a power supply constant if the current flowing to the load
in relation to the actual output voltage and the resistance of the load reaches the
adjusted power set value according to P = U * I resp. P = U² / R. The power limiting
then regulates the output current according to I = sqr(P / R), where R is the load’s
resistance.
Power limiting operates according to the auto-range principle such that at lower
output voltages higher current flows and vice versa, all to maintain constant power
within the range P
N
(see diagram to the right)
.
Constant power operation primarily impacts the output current. This means, the
adjusted maximum output current can’t be achieved if the maximum power value
limits the output current according to I = P / U. The adjustable set value of current,
as indicated in the display, is always only an upper limit.
While the DC output is switched on and constant power mode is active, then the condition “CP mode active” will be
shown on the display by the abbreviation CP, as well stored as status which can also be read via digital interface.