ECE 110/Equipment/Keysight 36311A

Introduction

The DC power supply is used to generate either a constant voltage (CV) or a constant current (CC). That is, it may be used as either a DC voltage source or as a DC current source. You will be using it primarily as a voltage source in this course. In this mode, the DC power supply’s behavior is similar to a battery. DC is an acronym for direct current. However, the meaning of the term “DC” has evolved into “constant with respect to time.” It is not unusual to hear the phrase “DC voltage” or “DC current” meaning that the voltage/current is constant with respect to time. This document relates specifically to the E36311A 80W Triple Output Power Supply from Keysight.

Voltage Value and Current Limit Settings

From E36300 Series User's Guide from Keysight, p. 15. Note that the E36312A is actually shown - the E36311A does not have the USB port at the left. Furthermore, on the E36311A, the middle (green) and right (blue) outputs share a single common (black) jack.

The Keysight E3631A DC power supply has three outputs, and each output has different voltage and current ranges

• The first output (yellow, left) has a voltage range of 0 - +6 V and a current limit of 5 A.
• The second output (green, middle) has a voltage range of 0 - +25 V and a current limit of 1 A.
• The third output (blue, right) has a voltage range of 0 - -25 V and a current limit of 1 A.

To set a voltage level and a current limit, you first need to choose which output you are setting by clicking the appropriate button at the top right of the power supply (indicted by (2) in the figure). Once you push the 1, 2, or 3 button, the appropriate section of the display (indicated by (1) in the figure) will become brighter. At that point, you can set the voltage level and the current limit using the Voltage and Current knobs on the right below the output selection buttons (indicated by (3) in the figure).

More on Current Limits

Current limiting is important when protecting sensitive devices and to ensure that maximum power limits are not exceeded. Current limiting allows the power supply to be set such that it will not generate more current than desired. Current limiting can prevent damage to equipment and parts that may be unable to handle excessive currents. Current limiting is achieved for this power supply by setting the “Current” value for each output source. The output voltage or current settings can be adjusted by turning the appropriate knobs or by typing in the desired values on the numeric keypad. When the current limit is reached, the device switches from being voltage controlled to current controlled. This will result in a change from CV (Constant Voltage) to CC (Constant Current) on the display for the relevant output.

Warning

Do not allow the terminals of the DC power supply to touch each other. (Do you know why? If you are unsure, ask your teaching assistant.)

References

• E36311A product page from Keysight
• E36300 Series User's Guide from Keysight
• E36300 Series Data Sheet from Keysight