Answers to Electronic Load Questions 
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  • How much pulse power can I run on the load?
    Read the specification of that load. In most cases the Pulse Power can exceed the average power of the Electronic Load. The limiting factor is getting the heat out of the electronic load and into the heat sink.

     
  • Can I use a function generator connected to the load to control the current?
    Yes you can use a function generator to control the load. The current will follow whatever wave shape the generator puts out.

     
  • Can I use an offset in the function generator to have, base line power to start from?
    Yes, you can offset the base ( + only ) to some current. Remember never run the wave below the 0 volts line. The load responds to positive voltage only.

     
  • What is the maximum slew rate the Electronic Load can follow?
    Check the Specification of the Electronic Load you are using.

     
  • Can I increase the slew rate of the electronic load?
    NO, but you can add electronic loads in parallel, this will increase the slew rate with each load that is added. 
     
  • If the input slew rate of the load is exceeded what happens to the output?
    You can not damage the load, the output will follow as fast as the control circuits will allow it.

     
  • Battery Testing!........ How low can we go?
    Well it really depends on the ON-Resistance of the Electronic Load & the current you want to measure. 
    BUT YES , you can check / 3.3Vdc / 2.0 Vdc / 1.0 Vdc / 0.5 Vdc / 0.30 Vdc / and even lower.

     
  • Should we use a coax / shielded wire to connect to the Electronic Load control pins?
    Yes the coax / shielded wire will help keep noise out of the load that may be added to the output signal.

     
  • Can we use complex wave forms to control the load?
    Yes, any wave shape is fine, ( so long as it does not exceed the slew rate ).

     
  • What happens if the UUT power source I am pulling current from has noise?
    If the noise slew rate is slower than the electronic loads feedback it will try to follow the noise with the current feedback. If the noise is faster than the electronic loads feedback, the load will ignore it as if it was not there, or average it out.

     
  • Can noise effect my current reading?
    Yes, large noise spikes can change the meter readings.

     
  • When I am using a Function Generator is the load running in constant current?
    Yes, the load is running in constant current and all of the protection circuits & start-up are disabled
     
  • Can I use the electronic load to charge batteries?
    Yes, but you can only use it the way we have shown in the PDF files.  You can't use it as a top side type of switch. The files shows a bottom source control that will suite most needs. 
 

Executive Engineering Home

Terminology of Electronic Loads

Current Ctrl of Electronic Loads

Powering the Electronic Loads

Heat Sinks for Loads

Using DtoA's & AtoD's

Selecting an Electronic Load

 

Bookmarks

 

Pulse Power

Using a Function Generator

Maximum Slew Rate

Generator Offset Voltage

Exceeding the Slew Rate

Testing Low Voltages

Using shielded wire

Complex Wave Forms

Power Source Noise

Function Generator & CC

Charging Batteries

 
 
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