The Chroma 6310A series Programmable DC Electronic Load is ideal for the test and evaluation of multi-output AC/DC power supplies, DC/DC converters, chargers and power electronic components. It is designed for applications in research and development, production, and incoming inspection. The system is configured by plugging the user selectable load modules into the system mainframe. The user interfaces include an ergonomically designed user friendly keypad on the front panel and the following computer interfaces: RS-232, USB or GPIB.

The 6310A series offers 12 different modules with power ratings from 20 watts to 1,200 watts, max. current rating up to 240A, and voltage ratings from 0.5mV to 600V. The loads can be operated in constant current, constant voltage, constant power and constant resistance and may be placed in parallel for increased current and power.

The 6310A series can simulate a wide range of dynamic loading applications. The waveforms programmable parameters include: slew rate, load level, duration and conducting voltage. In addition, up to 100 sets of system operating status can be stored in EEPROM and recalled instantly for automated testing applications.

Real time measurement of voltage and current are integrated into each 6310A load module using a 16-bit precision measurement circuit. The user can perform on line voltage measurements and adjustments or simulate short circuit test using the user friendly keypad on the front panel. Additionally, the 6310A series offers an optional remote controller for automated production lines.

The 6310A series has a self-diagnosis routines to maintain instrument performance. It also provides OP, OC, OT protection, and alarm indicating OV, reverse polarity to guarantee quality and reliability for even in the most demanding engineering testing and ATE applications.

The 6310A load modules operate in constant current, constant voltage, constant power or constant resistance to satisfy a wide range of test requirements. For example, the test of a battery charger can be simulated easily by setting the load to operate in constant voltage.

Each load module is designed with state-of-the-art technology and connects all the power MOSFET devices in parallel to insure high accuracy load control with a minimum drift of less than 0.1%+0.1%F.S. of the current setting. Chroma's use of FET technology provides minimum input resistance and enables the load to sink high current even at very low voltages. For example, the model 63123A is capable of sinking 70A at 0.6V, and well-suited for testing the new 3.3V low voltage power supplies. Low voltage operation, down to zero volts, is possible at reduced current levels.

The 6310A load module uses a photo coupler for isolation between the output and control sections, thus each load is isolated and floating. The user can use multiple load modules independently to test multi-output power supplies, or parallel them for high power testing applications.

Modern electronic devices operate at very high speeds and require fast dynamic operation of their power providing components. To satisfy these testing applications, the 6310A loads offer high speed, programmable dynamic load simulation and control capability. The figure aside shows the programmable parameters of the 6310A modules:

The programmable slew rate makes the simulation of transient load change demanded by real life applications possible. The 6310A internal waveform generator is capable of producing a maximum slew rate at 10A/μs, and dynamic cycling up to 20kHz.

The 6310A provides parallel control, which enables high power testing when a single module cannot meet the requirement of high power applications. Two or more load modules can be paralleled together to achieve the desired loading. The 6310A comes with RS-232 as standard for remote control and automated testing applications. The USB and GPIB interfaces are available as options.

Each 6310A load module has an integrated 16-bit precision A/D converter for voltage measurement with an accuracy of 0.025%+0.015%* of full scale. The built-in resistive load current sensing circuit is capable of measuring current with an accuracy of 0.04%+0.04%* of full scale. Apart from voltage and current measurement, 6310A also provides power measurement function and there is no need for users to spend time for power calculation. Also, short circuit can be simulated. All measurements are done using remote sensing to eliminate any error due to voltage drops along the measurement path. The user can also select from a complete set of voltage and current measurements.

Note * : Only for Model 63123A 

Modern switching power supplies are designed with over current protection (OCP) circuitry; therefore, it is important to test the OCP circuitry to make sure it is functioning within its designed specifications. The 6310A series provides an easy and fast solution for this testing.

By simply choosing the channel and setting the OCP parameters (start current, end current, step current and dwell time) from the front panel, the 6310A series provides a fast and easy OCP testing solution. The 6310A series will automatically detect the OCP point, making it an ideal solution for design verification as well as production line testing.

The 6310A series of loads include a unique timing & measurement function, which allows precise time measurements in the range of 1ms to 86,400s. This feature allows the user to set the final voltage & timeout values for battery discharge testing, super capacitor discharge, and other similar applications.

For example, the figure on the right shows the 6310A internal timer starting at Load ON, and ending when the battery voltage reaches the final voltage.

▲ Battery Discharge Testing

The digital I/O interface makes the 6310A DC Load the ideal choice for automated testing requirements. Through the digital I/O, the 6310A can accept digital signals to trigger its functions (Load On/Off, OCP test, etc.) as well as current output status signals.