KEPCO EL Series Electronic Load Operator Manual P/N 243-1295 Firmware Version 3.12 (Unit Rev 2) - Manual (Page 11)

SERIES EL 070110
1-1
SECTION 1 - INTRODUCTION
1.1 SCOPE OF MANUAL
This manual contains instructions for the installation, operation and service of the Series EL
Electronic loads manufactured by KEPCO, Inc., Flushing, New York, U.S.A., and applies to
units with Firmware Version and Unit Revision number indicated on the Title page. Firmware
Version is obtained in the response to *IDN? query. The Unit Revision number is visible on the
side of the unit, directly behind the top left side of the front panel (looking from the front).
WARNING
DANGEROUS AND LETHAL POTENTIALS AND CURRENTS
ARE PRESENT, BOTH WITHIN THIS ELECTRONIC LOAD, AND
AT THE OUTPUT!
Before proceeding to use the electronic load, read this manual very care-
fully. Caution must be used when working with, and making connections
to, this load. Use only wires with the proper current rating and proper volt-
age rating for high voltage connections.
1.2 INTRODUCTION
The Series EL Electronic Loads (Figure 1-1) are modular, air-cooled, electronic loads. Typically
these loads are used to test DC power sources, such as batteries, power supplies, generators,
chargers, fuel cells etc.
Table 1-1 lists the rated power, voltage and current for Kepco’s Series EL electronic loads. For
example. Kepco Model 3K-600-90 Electronic Load uses 1000-volt devices allowing 600 volt
operation and is rated at a maximum current capability of 90 amperes and a power rating of
3000 Watts.
Model numbers with a D suffix indicate a dual-channel load. These models are essentially com-
prised of two independent loads within a single chassis.
1.3 GENERAL DESCRIPTION
The Series EL load system is comprised of two elements—the load and a control source. The
load dissipates power from the UUT—i.e. the source of electrical energy being tested by the
load. The source of control is either the load front panel or an external computer or other device
that can communicate using the interface protocols for which the Series EL is configured.
The load is rack-mountable. Local front panel control allows mode selection and provides: mode
indications; display of load current, voltage and power measurements; control parameter adjust-
ment; local/remote control status; fault indications; and power on/off control of the load.
The load has high-current rear panel LOAD Terminals used to connect the UUT to the load,
analog control and monitoring terminals, master/slave communications connections, USB 2.0
and RS-232 connectors for remote control, and a mains power connector with fuse. The load
can also be configured with optional Ethernet and GPIB interfaces.
Values of load current, voltage and power, as well as fault information can be reported to a com-
puter for display and analysis. SCPI-compliant commands transmitted to the load set the load
operating parameters. Special commands allow the user to configure the load measurement
system and to perform diagnostic tests.