AMETEK MX CTSH - Manual (Page 82)

California Instruments Revision H 82
User Manual MX Series CTSH Compliance Test System
6.3.1 Entering User Data
Prior to running a test, you should enter information concerning the EUT, the person or department
performing the test and any other information that may be relevant to interpreting or using the test results
obtained from the CTS system. Several fields are provided for this purpose along the bottom of the main
test window.
The information entered in these fields is added to the test data file and any reports that are printed. The
date and time of the test run is automatically added based on the PC’s real-time clock.
6.3.2 Selecting the Test Period
The default test time for Flicker tests is 120 minutes which provides 12 short term flicker values of 10
minutes each. The user can set the test time anywhere from 0.5 minutes to 1440 minutes or up to 24 hours
if needed. The test period needs to be set long enough to cover the entire operating cycle of the unit under
test. If a test time less than 120 minutes is entered, the Plt will be evaluated using 12 Psti values and
deeming the non measured 10 minute periods to have a zero Psti.
Equipment that is unlikely to produce long term flicker based on its typical operating cycle need not be
tested for Plt. This can significantly reduce the test time. If you are unsure however of the EUT’s behavior,
you are advised to perform a 2 hour test (120 minutes) to verify compliance with IEC 61000-3-11.
6.3.3 Test Data Files
The CTSMXH Software can save the flicker test waveform and result during the test if the saving option is
enabled. The file will be saved in the data_files subdirectory. For test #25, the file will be F-
000025.cts_data. This file can be replayed later with the same software.
6.3.4 Setting the Test Margin
The CTS system offers the user the choice of setting a test margin around the IEC limits. This means a
user specified factor can be applied to the IEC test limits. The default value used is 100 % which essentially
means the actual IEC limits are applied to determine a pass or fail result. This is the mode to use for actual
compliance testing.
Setting this margin to a value below 100 % can be useful for pre-compliance testing. Selecting a lower
margin means the test is more stringent. If the EUT can pass the more stringent test, it is more than likely to
pass when submitted to an independent test lab.
Setting the margin above 100 % means you are “loosening” the limits allowing EUT’s to pass that would
normally fail. This mode is not recommended.
6.3.5 Running the Flicker Test
Before starting a test, make sure all user fields are set correctly. Changes to these fields are no longer
possible once a test is in progress. Also make sure the EUT is connected to the AC output of the PACS-3-
75 unit and the correct AC line voltage is programmed on the AC source.
A test run is started by clicking on the Start button.
During the test execution, the CTSMXH Software will continuously evaluate EUT Flicker against the
appropriate IEC limits. The Pass or Fail indication is updated in real-time. If the test fails early in a long test
period, you may elect to abort the test prematurely rather than wait till the end.