Keysight Technologies N6700 - Current Priority Mode Operation

Source Operating Modes Appendix E
Keysight N6700 User’s Guide 123
When the output current reaches either the positive or negative current
limit, the unit no longer operates in constant voltage mode and the
output voltage is no longer held constant. Instead, the power supply will
now regulate the output current at its current limit setting. Either a LIM+
(positive current limit), or LIM− (negative current limit) status flag is set
to indicate that a current limit has been reached.
As shown by the vertical portions of the load line, when the unit is
sinking power, the output voltage may continue to increase in the
positive or negative direction as more current is forced into the unit.
When the output voltage exceeds either the positive or negative over-
voltage setting, the output will shut down, the output relays will open,
and either the OV or OV- and the PROT status bits will be set. Either the
user-defined over-voltage setting or the local over-voltage function can
trip the over-voltage protection.
Current Priority Mode
In current priority mode, the output current should be programmed to
the desired positive or negative value. A positive voltage limit value
should also be set. The voltage limit should always be set higher than
the actual output voltage requirement of the external load. With tracking
enabled, the negative voltage limit tracks the positive voltage limit
setting. With tracking disabled, you can set different values for the
positive and negative voltage limits.
The following figure shows the current priority operating locus of the
power modules. The area in the white quadrants shows the output as a
source (sourcing power). The area in the shaded quadrants shows the
output as a load (sinking power).
I setting
-V limit
+V limit
+20 V
+6 V
-20 V
-6 V
+OV
OC
− Voltage
operation
applies to
N6784A
only
OC
Key
Sourcing power
Sinking power
Programmable
+ Current
+ Voltage
-8 A
-3 A
-1 A
+8 A
+3 A
+1 A