IviDCPwr Terminology
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.
Voltage Level—The DC voltage the power supply attempts to generate. You configures the voltage level with the IVIDCPWR_ATTR_VOLTAGE_LEVEL attribute.
OVP—OVP is an acronym for Over-Voltage Protection.
OVP Limit and OVP Enabled—If the OVP limit is enabled, the power supply disables the output when the output voltage is greater than or equal to the OVP limit. You configure the OVP limit with the IVIDCPWR_ATTR_OVP_LIMIT attribute, and enable or disable the OVP limit with the IVIDCPWR_ATTR_OVP_ENABLED attribute.
Current Limit and Current Limit Behavior—The current limit behavior determines the behavior of the instrument when the output current is greater than or equal to the current limit. When the current limit behavior is trip, the power supply disables the output when the output current is greater than or equal to the current limit. When the current limit behavior is regulate, the power supply restricts the output voltage such that the output current is not greater than the current limit. You configure the current limit and current limit behavior with the IVIDCPWR_ATTR_CURRENT_LIMIT and IVIDCPWR_ATTR_CURRENT_LIMIT_BEHAVIOR attributes.
Constant Voltage Mode—The power supply is said to be in the constant voltage mode when the power supply's output signal reaches the voltage level before it reaches the current limit. In the constant voltage mode, the power supply's output voltage remains constant at the voltage level and its output current can vary.
Constant Current Mode—The power supply is said to be in the constant current mode when the power supply's output signal reaches the current limit before it reaches the voltage level, and the current limit behavior is set to regulate. In the constant current mode, the power supply's output current remains constant at the current limit and its output voltage varies.
Unregulated Mode—The power supply is said to be in the unregulated mode when the power supply's output signal reaches neither the voltage level or the current limit. In the unregulated mode, the power supply's output current and output voltage varies.