Question regarding electronic loads - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: Pack34
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 27, 2019, 03:30:20 pm
content: I have an application where I need to ramp a resistive load from 10-ohm to 550-ohm and back down as part of a calibration routine for some ADCs. I was thinking of hooking up a couple DMMs and an electronic load to measure the voltage and current of the system as the load ramps up and down.Would this work?

author: colorado.rob
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 27, 2019, 03:40:35 pm
content: The Rigol DL3021A shows a resistive load range from 2.0 - 15k, so in theory it should work. You probably don't need a DMM as it should show you current and voltage. It is certainly worth trying.

author: Pack34
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 27, 2019, 04:39:26 pm
content: Quote from: colorado.rob on March 27, 2019, 03:40:35 pmI'm looking at taking advantage of the 5ksps of the Keysight DMM I have, then wrap everything in an automated Python script.

author: TurboTom
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 27, 2019, 04:51:39 pm
content: An electronic load needs considerable time to settle in CR-Mode and also requires some "macroscopic" current to flow (depending on brand/model), otherwise it cannot control the resistance. Also please consider that on all loads (that I'm familiar with at least -- which are Rigol, Maynuo and similar ones, Applent, Chroma), there's a considerable capacitance present across their input terminals.If you need the resistance for small signal calibration, you may consider a different option like those digital trimpots (i.e.AD5270or the like), maybe equipped with a floating supply / digital isolators. Or maybe, you can include these devices directly in your design to facilitate calibration.If you need a set of fixed resistances, you may be better off (and possibly more accurate) if you use a set of fixed resistors / preset trimmers and a bunch of reed relays, or maybe an R-2R cascade to form a primitive resistive D/A converter.Cheers,Thomas

author: Keysight DanielBogdanoff
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 27, 2019, 07:33:27 pm
content: This is a pretty common way to do things like this.Here's an app note we just recently put together on eloads that might be useful. Direct PDF download:http://bit.ly/eLoadAppNotePDFIt's mostly focused around our new load, but has some useful info in it.

author: mairo
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 27, 2019, 09:56:24 pm
content: Hi Daniel, do these new N6790 Series loads compatible with older N6705A/B series mainframes?Pack34, sorry for jumping in your topic with a different question.

author: LapTop006
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 30, 2019, 01:56:57 pm
content: Quote from: mairo on March 27, 2019, 09:56:24 pmGiven how recently the 6705B was discontinued you'd hope so, although given the final firmware for them still says Agilent I suspect it's unlikely.Which is a shame. I have a 6705A, which could be excellent with just a few UI tweaks, until then it's useful for specialist things (to be fair, that was the goal), and the new load modules would go well in mine.