AMETEK SLD Series - Manual (Page 51)

Sorensen SLD-Series DC Load Applications
M540075-01 Rev C 4-5
4.4
Constant Voltage (CV) Mode Application
Major applications: Current source testing, power supply current limit characteristic testing
Current Source Testing
Battery chargers are among the most common current sources; they are used to input current
to a rechargeable battery. The CV mode of electronic load can be used to simulate the terminal
voltage of a rechargeable battery, to test the current being generated by the battery charger.
For example, CV mode can be used to first set voltage and read the charge current from the
current meter on the load; then set CV voltage to 5V (example), then read the charge current
again. This method is used to test the load regulation of a current source.
Current Limit Testing
A lab power supply could use the fold-back current limit test for a switching power supply, to
find the constant current limit curve. CV mode is effective for such testing.
For example, the user can set CV voltage, record the output current, then run a series of
voltage and current to get an output current limit curve (Figure 4-5) of a power supply.
- +
DC
+
-
CURRENT
SOURCE
ELECTRONIC LOAD
CV MODE
INPUT
V
I
Lo
INPUT
VOLTAGE
CONSTANT VOLTAGE SETTING
A B C
A B C
V
I
CV SETTING
LOAD CURRENT
POWER SUPPLY CURRENT
LIMIT TESTING
Figure 4-5 Constant Voltage Mode Application