KEPCO BOP 1KW as Solar Device Tester Quick Start Guide User Manual
Page 3
KEPCO, INC. " 131-38 SANFORD AVENUE " FLUSHING, NY. 11355 U.S.A. " TEL (718) 461-7000 " FAX (718) 767-1102
http://www.kepcopower.com " email: [email protected]
120409
228-1684
3
FIGURE 2. Solar Device Tester Subvi
The Real Time Output, BOP Parameters and Ramp Char-
acteristics, shown in Figure 2, function as described for the
demonstration application. When the subvi is invoked by
an application, the subvi calculates a Settings Array as
shown in Figure 2. The settings array shows the sequential
setpoints for the main channel as determined by the start
and end points and the number of points supplied. An
arrow to the left of the settings array allows the user to
scroll and view each point. To the right of the settings array
are the Measured Current and Voltage arrays, showing the
measured values at each point from the previous execution
of the subvi.
At each point the BOP 1KW main channel is set to a level,
and after the user-programmable delay (using the Millisec-
onds to Wait input under Ramp Characteristics), the subvi
requests voltage and current measurements. These
requests are made with a single command line to insure
the voltage and current measurements are from the same
sample. The programmable delay is adjustable from 20 mS
to 2 Seconds. If the BOP 1KW is connected to a solar cell,
the best timing has been found to be 25 mS.
When all measurements are completed, the Measure Cur-
rent and Voltage arrays to the right of the Settings array are
updated to show the measured values at each point. (In the
demonstration application the two arrays of points are used
to update the I-V curve. The Imp and Vmp values update
the cursor position.)
At the left, under Real Time Output, the user can monitor
the test in progress by viewing the instantaneous outputs of
the solar device under test: Voltage and Current. Voltage
Maximum Power (Vmp), Current Maximum Power (Imp)
and the Maximum Power Point (Pmp) are calculated in real
time, and are viewable when the characterization is com-
plete.