User Manual    AMETEK Programmable Power 
RS Series    107 
are always available. This chapter covers issues that relate to defining, downloading and 
managing custom waveforms. 
4.4.1  Standard Waveforms 
For most AC applications, a sine wave shape is used. The sine wave is one of the standard 
waveforms provided on all RS Series models. This standard sine wave is always available and is 
the default waveform at power-on.  On RS models with the 3Pi controller, two more standard 
waveforms are available, square and clipped. 
 
Figure 4-28: Selecting a Waveform 
The square wave provides a high frequency content waveform with relative fast rise and fall 
times. Due to AC amplifier bandwidth limitations, the frequency content of the standard square 
wave has been kept within the amplifier’s capabilities. As the fundamental frequency is 
increased, the relative contribution of higher harmonics is reduced. 
The clipped sine wave may be used to simulate voltage distortion levels to the unit under test. 
The total harmonic distortion level may be programmed in percent using the CLIP LEVEL field of 
the WAVEFORMS menu. Changing the distortion level of the CLIP waveform forces the AC 
source to regenerate the CLIPPED sine wave’s data points and reload the waveform register 
with the newly requested data. This process requires the output to be dropped briefly. To avoid 
interrupting the voltage output to the unit under test, select a different waveform such as the 
standard sine wave first, change the clip level and change the waveform back to the CLIPPED 
sine wave. This will avoid any output interruption. 
4.4.2  Phase Selection 
   
Figure 4-29: Selecting Waveforms for Single Phase or All Phases 
Different waveforms may be selected for each phase. The number of custom waveforms from 
which to select remains 50 but each phase can be assigned a different custom or standard 
waveform. The specific output phase for which the wave shape is programmed is selected with 
the PHASE key on the front panel. The selected phase is always shown in the top right hand 
corner of the WAVEFORMS display. 
To select the same wave shape for all three phases in a three-phase configuration, press the 
PHASE key until the “øABC” enunciator appears in the top right corner of the WAVEFORMS 
menu. Waveform selections made in this mode will apply to all three phases. 
4.4.3  Creating Custom Waveforms 
The 3Pi controller provides four groups of 50 custom defined waveforms each for a total of 200 
waveforms in addition to the 3 standard waveforms. Of these four groups, one may be active at 
a time. The active group is selected in the INITIAL SETUP menu. 
Custom waveforms cannot be created from the front panel of the RS Series. Rather, they have 
to be downloaded through one of the remote control interfaces. A Windows based program is 
included with the RS Series that allows waveforms to be created and downloaded easily. This