IviDCPwrBase Capability Group

CVI/LabWindows IVI Class Driver

previous page next page

IviDCPwrBase Capability Group

The IviDCPwrBase capability group supports the most basic DC power supply capabilities. You can enable or disable output channels, specify the DC voltage to generate, specify output limits, and control the behavior of the power supply when the output is greater than or equal to one of the limits.

This document uses the following terms to describe the power supply's output: Voltage Level, OVP Limit, Current Limit, Current Limit Behavior, Constant Voltage Mode, Constant Current Mode, and Unregulated Mode. Refer to IviDCPwr Terminology for more information on these terms.

The signal that the power supply produces depends on the values of the voltage level, OVP limit, and current limit that you supply, and the impedance of the load to which the power supply is attached. Therefore, the power supply might not produce the exact voltage or current that you configure. The following diagram shows the possible output scenarios.

Power Supply Output Diagram

At Point 1, the power supply's output has reached the voltage level before it reached the current limit. This is an example of the power supply operating in the constant voltage mode. Note that any point on the vertical line defined by the voltage level would also cause the power supply to operate in the constant voltage mode.

At Point 2, the power supply's output has reached the current limit before it reached the voltage level. If the current limit behavior is set to regulate, this is an example of the power supply operating in the constant current mode. If the current limit behavior is set to trip, the power supply disables the output. Note that any point on the horizontal line defined by the current limit would also cause the power supply to operate in the constant current mode when the current limit behavior is set to regulate.

At point 3, the power supply's output has reached neither the voltage level or the current limit. This is an example of the power supply operating in the unregulated mode. Note that any point within the rectangle defined by the voltagelevel and current limit would also cause the power supply to operate in the unregulated mode.

At point 4, the power supply's output has reached the OVP limit. If OVP is enabled, the power supply disables the output. Note that any point on the vertical line defined by the OVP limit would also cause the power supply to disable the output when OVP is enabled.