Comparing N3300A Series Electronic Loads with
Earlier Models
Introduction
The Agilent N3300A Series Electronic Loads are compatible in many ways with the previous HP/Agilent
6050B, 6051B, 60501B, 60502B, 60503B, 60504B, 60507B Electronic Loads. This means that in most
cases, programs written for earlier electronic loads will run on the N3300A Series Electronic Loads.
However, be aware that there are also many differences between the previous version and the N3300A
Series loads that will require you to modify previous electronic load programs.
If you are using Agilent N3300A Series Electronic Loads in test systems or with software designed for
6050B, 6051B, 60501B, 60502B, 60503B, 60504B, 60507B Electronic Loads, you may experience some of
the differences documented in Table D-1. If so, refer to the possible reason for the difference in the table
below for suggestions on what to do about the difference.
It is not the intent of this table to provide an exhaustive list of all the differences between previous version
electronic loads and the N3300A Series loads or all possible solutions to problems with previously written
software. This table only highlights the areas that affect the behavior of the instrument in normal use.
Table 1: Examples of Operating Differences
Difference Noticed Possible Reason (see table D-2)
Values read back on the display and over the bus are slightly
different than on previous electronic load units.
Values read back on the display and over the bus are
significantly different than on previous electronic load units.
Values on front panel display fluctuate more than on previous
electronic load units.
Unit unexpectedly turns off; Prot annunciator is on. #11, #19
Response to analog programming input is different than on
previous electronic load units.
Err annunciator comes on when program is run. #8, #9, #10, #13
Unit under test occasionally behaves unexpectedly. #1, #7
#1, #2, #3, #4
#1, #4, #7, #9
#2, #3, #4
#15, #16
Table 2: Reasons for Differences
Item HP/Agilent Series 6050x Agilent Series N3300A
1. Command 70 milliseconds (typical) 5 milliseconds (typical)
Execution Time If external equipment is connected to the load, the decreased command
execution time of the N3300A Series loads may not allow sufficient settling
time for the equipment under test. You may need to insert wait statements in
your program if the equipment under test requires a certain amount of settling
time after a load change before a measurement can be made.
2. Voltage
Programming and
Readback Range
3. Current Readback
Range
4. Measurement Mode Single measurement occurs at
5. Programming
Accuracy
(300W model shown)
6. Programming
Resolution
(300W model shown)
1 range (model dependent):
0-60 volts or
0-150 volts or
0-240 volts
The addition of voltage programming and readback ranges provides 16-bit
accuracy with the N3300A Series loads. Existing programs may need to be
modified to take advantage of the improved accuracy provided with the
additional ranges.
1 range (model dependent):
0-10 amps or
0-30 amps or
0-60 amps or
0-120 amps
The addition of current readback ranges provides greater accuracy with the
N3300A Series loads. Existing programs may need to be modified to take
advantage of the improved accuracy provided with the additional ranges.
command execution.
This feature provides greater accuracy and noise immunity when making
measurements. The time required to make measurements with the N3300A
Series loads may vary considerably, depending on the type of measurement
specified. The default measurement settings on the N3300A Series loads are
faster than measurements on previous electronic loads.
Voltage (60V) = 0.1% +50mV
Current (60A) = 0.1% +75mA
Resistance (1Ω) = 0.8% +8mΩ
Resistance (100Ω) = 0.3% +8mS
Resistance (10k Ω) = 0.3% +8mS
This feature provides greater accuracy with the N3300A Series loads. Existing
programs may need to be modified to take advantage of the improved
programming accuracy provided with the additional ranges.
Voltage (60V) = 16mV
Current (60A) = 16mA
Resistance (1Ω) = 0.27mΩ
Resistance (100Ω) = 0.27mS
Resistance (10k Ω) = 0.027mS
This feature provides greater accuracy with the N3300A Series loads. Existing
programs may need to be modified to take advantage of the improved
programming resolution.
2 ranges (model dependent):
0-6, 0-60 volts or
0-15, 0-150 volts or
0-24, 0-240 volts
2 ranges (model dependent):
0-1, 0-10 amps or
0-3, 0-30 amps or
0-6, 0-60 amps or
0-12, 0-120 amps
Multiple measurements at command
execution. Average value is returned.
Number of samples and time interval
between samples is programmable.
Voltage (60V) = 0.1% +8mV
Current (60A) = 0.1% +12mA
Resistance (2Ω) = 0.4% +12mΩ
Resistance (20Ω) = XX% +XXmΩ
Resistance (200Ω) = XX% +XXmΩ
Resistance (2k Ω) = XX% +XXmΩ
Voltage (60V) = 1mV
Current (60A) = 1mA
Resistance (2Ω) = 0.02mΩ
Resistance (20Ω) = XXmΩ
Resistance (200Ω) = XXmΩ
Table2: Differences (continued)
Item HP/Agilent Series 6050x Agilent Series N3300A
7. Mode/Range
Change Performance
8. Calibration Calibration procedure for previous
9. Resistance Ranges
(300W model shown)
10. Resistance Slew
Rate
11. UNR Status
Reporting
12. *SAV 0 Storage
Location
13. Error Messages Error messages for previous loads
14. Query Response *IDN? and *RDT? = Hewlett-
Input turns off between mode and
range changes.
This feature keeps the input on when modes and ranges change. This will
affect the behavior of the device under test, since the input of N3300A Series
loads no longer turns off as was the case with previous electronic loads.
loads is documented in the
Operating manual.
Existing programs must be modified to correctly calibrate the N3300A Series
loads.
3 ranges: 0-1Ω, 1-1k Ω, 10-10kΩ 5 ranges: 0-2Ω, 1-20Ω, 10-200Ω,
Resistance transients may not work in some cases. For example if you are
transitioning from 1Ω to 1k Ω (in previous electronic loads), the command will
not work with the resistance ranges in the N3300A Series loads. You can only
transition within a specific resistance range (100Ω to 2k Ω for example).
1Ω range slew rate uses the value
programmed for the voltage slew.
1kΩ and 10k Ω range slew rate
uses the values programmed for
the current slew.
The addition of resistance slew rates provides greater capability when
programming input resistance. Existing programs must be modified to
correctly program resistance slew rates.
Applied in constant current mode
and in 1k Ω and the 10kΩ
resistance mode.
This feature provides more comprehensive status reporting. Programs that use
the UNR status reporting to generate service requests may need to be
modified to account for the additional operating modes and ranges that may
cause an unregulated status condition to be reported.
Module settings are saved in
individual modules.
This feature saves all power up settings in the mainframe, not the module. This
will cause the modules to behave according to the settings stored in each
mainframe when swapped. Previous load modules cannot be installed in
N3300A Series mainframes. N3300A Series modules cannot be installed in
previous mainframes.
are documented in the Operating
manual.
This feature adds more error messages. Existing programs need to be
modified to trap the additional error messages.
Packard and earlier model
numbers.
This changes the company name and model numbers. Existing programs
may need to be modified if the *IDN? and *RDT? queries are used.
Input stays on between mode and range
changes.
Refer to the calibration procedure in the
N3300A Series User's Guide.
100-2kΩ
Slew rates are programmed in ohms/
second. Each resistance range has its
own slew rate. Refer to Appendix A in
the N3300A Series User's Guide.
Applies in all operating modes and
ranges.
All module settings are saved in the
mainframe.
Refer to the error message table in the
N3300A Series User's Guide.
*IDN? and *RDT? = Agilent
Technologies and N3300A Series model
numbers; query number formats may
also be different.
Table 2: Differences (continued)
Item HP/Agilent Series 6050x Agilent Series N3300A
15. CC and CV Analog
Programming
Accuracy
(300W model shown)
16. CR Analog
Programming
17. List Programming Not available Lists containing up to 50 steps can be
18. Front Panel Deleted keys
19. Reverse Voltage Available on input terminals Available on input and sense terminals
Protection This feature adds reverse voltage protection on the sense terminals. Load
20. Mainframe RS-232
Connector
21. Mainframe Digital
Port
22. Module
Interconnections
23. Line Voltage
Selection
Current (60A) = 4.5% +75mA
Voltage (60V) = 0.8% +200mV
This feature improves analog programming accuracy in both constant current
and in constant voltage mode. Existing programs may need to be modified to
take advantage of the improved analog programming accuracy.
Not available A 0-to-10V signal at the analog
This feature adds analog programming in constant resistance mode. Existing
programs will need to be modified to use the analog programming available in
constant resistance mode.
This feature adds list programming to the current, voltage, resistance,
transient, and port functions. Existing programs will need to be modified to use
lists. Refer to the N3300A Series User's Guide for details.
Range Short on/off
Tran Level Tran on/off
Slew Freq
Dcycl Mode
This feature adds additional keys and menus to the front panel. This results in
significant differences in front panel operation between previous and N3300A
Series loads. Refer to the N3300A Series User's Guide for more information.
modules will shut down with reverse voltage on remote sense terminals.
Not available An RS-232 connector is available on the
Existing programs must be modified to use the digital port on the mainframe.
Not available A 2-pin user-programmable digital
Existing programs must be modified to use the digital port on the mainframe.
3 ribbon cables including ac line
distribution.
Previous load modules cannot be installed in N3300A Series mainframes.
N3300A Series modules cannot be installed in previous mainframes.
Accomplished via internal switches
on the mainframe.
This feature eliminates manual line voltage selection. The line input of the
N3300A Series mainframe is rated from 85 - 264 Vac.
Refer to Appendix A in the N3300A
Series User's Guide.
programming input corresponds to the
minimum to full scale input resistance
of the selected resistance range.
programmed and downloaded to each
electronic load module. They can be
run simultaneously in response to an
external trigger.
Added keys
Ident Sense
Channel Protect
tuStep π θ
List Trigger
Func Trigger Control
2-pin user-programmable digital output
port is available on the back of the
mainframe.
output port is available on the back of
the mainframe.
1 ribbon cable with no ac line
distribution.
No switching required.
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