The follow ing safety precautions apply to both operating and maintenance personnel and must
be followed during all phases of operation, service, and repair of this instrument.
Before applying power to this instrument:
• Read and understand the safety and operation a l inform ation in this manual.
• Apply all the listed safety precautions.
• Verify that the voltage selector at the line power cord input is set to the correct lin e
voltage. Operating the instrument at an incorrect line voltage will void the warranty.
• Make all connections to the instrument before ap plying power.
• Do not operate the instrument in ways not specified by this manual or by B&K Precision.
Failure to comply with these precautions or with warnings elsewhere in this manual violates the
safety standards of design, manufacture, and intended use of the instrument. B&K Precision
assumes no liability for a customer’s failure to comply with these requirements.
Category rating
The IEC 61010 standard defines safety category ratings that specify the amount of electrical
energy available and the voltage impulses that may occur on electrical conductors associated
with these category ratings. The category rating is a Roman numeral of I, II, III, or IV. This rating
is also accompanied by a maximum voltage of the circuit to be tested, which defines the voltage
impulses expected and required insulation clearances. These categories are:
Category I (CAT I): Measurement instruments whose me a s ure m ent i nputs are not intended to
be connected to the mains supply. The voltages in the environment are typically derived from a
limited-energy transforme r or a battery.
Category II (CAT II): Measurement instruments whose measurement inputs are meant to be
connected to the mains supply at a standard wall outlet or similar sources. Example
measurement environments are portable tools and household appliances.
Category III (CAT III): Measurement instruments whose measurement inputs are meant to be
connected to the mains installation of a building. Examples are measurements inside a
building's circuit breaker panel or the wiring of permanently-installed motors.
Category IV (CAT IV): Measurement instruments whose measurement inputs are meant to be
connected to the primary power entering a building or other outdoor wiring.
Do not use this instrument in an electrical environment with a higher category rating than what
You must ensure that each accessory you use with this instrument has a category rating equal to
or higher than the instrument's category rating to maintain the instrument's category rating.
Failure to do so will lower the category rating of the measuring system.
Electrical Power
This instrument is intended to be powered from a CATEGORY II mains power environment. The
mains power should be 120 V RMS or 240 V RMS. Use only the power cord supplied with the
instrument and ensure it is appropriate for your country of use.
Ground the Instrument
To minimize shock hazard, the instrument chassis and cabinet must be connected to an
electrical safety ground. This instrument is grounded through the ground conductor of the
supplied, thr ee-conductor AC line power cable. The power cable must be plugged into an
approv ed three-conductor electrical outlet. The power jack and mating plug of the power cable
meet IEC safety standards.
Do not alter or defeat the ground connection. Without the safety ground connection, all
accessible conductive parts (including control knobs) may provide an electric shock. Failure to
use a properly-grounded approved outlet and the recommended three-conductor
AC line power
cable may result in injury or death.
Unless otherwise stated, a ground connection on the instrument's front or rear panel is for a
reference of potential only and is not to be used as a safety ground.
Do not operate in an explosive or flammable atmosphere
Do not operate the instrument in the presence of flammable gases or vapors, fumes, or finelydivided particulates.
The instrument is designed to be used in offi c e-type indoor environments. Do not operate the
instrument
• In the presence of noxious, corrosive, or flammable fumes, gases, vapors, chemicals, or
finely-divided partic ul ates.
• In relative humidity conditions outside the instrument's specifications.
• In environments where there is a danger of any liquid being spilled on the instrument or
• In air temperatures exceeding the specified operating temperatures.
• In atmospheric pressures outside the specified altitude limits or where the surrounding
gas is not air.
• In environments with restricted cooling air flow, even if the air temperatures are within
specifications.
• In direct sunlight.
This instrument is intended to be used in an indoo r pollution degree 2 environme nt. The
operati ng t e mperature range is 0 °C to 40 °Cand the operating humidity range is up to 80%
relative humidity with no condensation allowed.
Measurements made by this instrument may be outside specifications if the instrument is used
in non-office-type environments. Such environments may include rapid temperature or
humidity changes, sunlight, vibration and/or mechanical shocks, acoustic noise, electrical noise,
strong electric fields, or strong magnetic fields.
Do not operate instrument if damaged
If the instrument is damaged, appears to be damaged, or if any liquid, chemical, or other
material gets on or inside the instrument, remove the instrument's power cord, remove the
instrument from service, label i t as not to be operated, and return the instrument to B&K
Precision for repair. Notify B&K Precision of the nature of any contamination of the instrument.
Clean the instrument onl y as ins truc ted
Do not clean the instrument, its switches, or its terminals with contact cleaners, abrasives,
lubricants, solvents, acids/bases, or other such chemicals. Clean the instrument only with a
clean dry lint-free cloth or as instructed in this manual.
Not for critical applications
This instrument is not authorized for use in contact with the human body or for use as a
component in a life-support device or system.
Do not touch live circuits
Instrument covers must not be removed by operating personnel. Component replacement and
internal adjustments must be made by qualified service-trained maintenance personnel who
are aware of the hazards involved when the instrument's covers and shields are removed.
Under certain conditions, even with the power cord removed, dangerous voltages may exist
when the covers are removed. To avoid injuries, always disconnect the power cord from the
instrument, disconnect all other connections (for example, test leads, computer interface
cables, etc.), discharge all circuits, and verify there are no hazardous voltages present on any
conductors by measurements with a properly-operating volt age-sensing device before t ouching
any internal parts. Verify the voltage-sensing device is working properly before and after making
the measurement s by testing with known-operating voltage sources and test for both DC and AC
voltages. Do not attempt any service or adjustment unless another person capable of rendering
first aid and resuscitation is present.
Do not insert any object into an instrument's ventilation openings or other openings.
Hazardous voltages may be present in unexpected locations in circuitry being tested when a
fault condition in the circuit exists.
Fuse replacement
Fuse replacement must be done by qualified service-trained maintenance personnel who are
aware of the instrument's fuse requirements and safe replacement procedures. Disconnect the
instrument from the power line before replacing fuses. Replace fuses only with new fuses of the
fuse types, voltage ratings, and current ratings specified in this manual or on the back of the
instrument. Failure to do so may damage the instrument, lead to a safety hazard, or cause a fire.
Failure to use the specified fuses will void the warranty.
Servicing
Do not substitute parts that are not approved by B&K Precision or mo dify this instrument.
Return the instrument to B&K Precision for service and repair to ensure that safety and
performance features are maintained.
Cooling fans
This instrument contains one or more cooling fans. For continued safe operation of the
instrument, the air inlet and exhaust openings for these fans must not be blocked nor must
accumulated dust or other debris be allowed to reduce air flow. Maintain at least 25 mm
clearance around the sides of the instrument that contain air inlet and exhaust ports. If
mounted in a rack, position power devices in the rack above the instrument to minimize
instrument heating while rack mounted. Do not continue to operate the instrument if you
cannot verify the fan is operating (note some fans may have intermittent duty cycles). Do not
insert any object into the fan's inlet or outlet.
To connect a load to the power supply, use a wire diameter large enough to handle the
maximum continuous output short-circuit current of the power supply without the wire
overheating.
For continued safe use of the instrument
• Do not place heavy objects on the instrument.
• Do not obstruct cooling air flow to the instrument.
• Do not place a hot soldering iron on the instrument.
• Do not pull the instrument with the power cord, connected probe, or connected test
lead.
• Do not move the instrument when a probe is connected to a circuit being tested
This product is subject to Directive 2002/96/EC of the European
Disposal of Old Electrical & Electronic Equipment (Applicable in the European
Union and other European countries with separate collection systems)
Parliament and the Council of the European Union on waste electrical
and electronic equipment (WEEE), and in jurisdictions adopting that
Directive, is marked as being put on the market after August 13, 2005,
and should not be disposed of as unsorted municipal waste. Please
utilize your local WEEE collection facilities in the disposition of this
product and otherwise observe all applicable requirements.
This instrument meets the requirements of 2006/95/EC Low Voltage Directive and 2004/108/EC
Electromagnetic Compatibility Directive with the following standards.
The 9130B Series programmable triple output DC power supplies feature isolated outputs that
can be adjusted independently. They can be configured for series or parallel mode when
connecting multiple channels together. The front panel keys and the rotary knob provide a
convenient means for setting values and adjusting parameters. Built-in memory supports
storing and recalling user settings with out the need to connect to an external PC. A wide range
of interface options enables remote controllability from a PC.
Features:
• 3 independent, fully programmable and electrically isolated outputs
• Front and rear panel output terminals
• Remote Sense on all channels
• Display Voltage and Current of all 3 channels simultaneously
• RS232/USB/GPIB remote interfaces
• Series, parallel, and tracking modes
• Output timer function (0.1 - 99999.9 seconds)
• Store/recall up to 36 instrument settings
• Bright and easy to read display (VFD technology)
• OVP, OCP, OTP Protection
• Compact half-rack 2U form factor
1.2 Package Contents
Please inspect the instrument mechanically and electrically upon receiving it. Unpack all items
from the shipping carton, and check for any obvious signs of physical damage that may have
occurred during transportation. Report any damage to the shipping agent immediately. Save the
original packing carton for possible future resh ip men t. Every power supply is shipped wit h the
follo wing contents :
• 1 x 9130B, 9131B, or 9132B Power Supply
• 1 x User Manual
• 1 x AC Power Cord
• 1 x Certificate of Calibration
• 1 x Test Report
Verify that all items above are included in the shipping container. If anything is missing, please
contact B&K Precision.
The 9130B power supply’s dimensions are approximately 214.5 mm (8.44 in) x 88.2 mm (3.47
in) x 354.6 mm (13.96 in) (W x H x D). The 9131B and 9232B power supply’s dimensions are
approximately 214.5 mm (8.44 in) x 88.2 mm (3.47 in) x 445 mm (17.52 in) (W x H x D).
Note: All dimensions in the figures below are measured in millimeters (mm).
The instrument can be installed in a standard 19-inch rack using the optional IT-E151 rackmount
kit. Below is an image of a 9130B Series model installed with the IT-E151 rackmount kit.
Note: Remove the carrying handle and the two plastic ears before mounting the instrument. To
remove the handle, grasp the handle by its sides, pull outwards, and rotate it until the arrow on
the handle and the arrow on the plastic ears are in opposite directions. Then pull the handle
outward. After removing the handle, you can use a screwdriver to remove the two plastic ears.
Before connecting and powering up the instrument, please review and go through the
instructions in this chapter.
2.1 Input Power and Fuse Requirements
The supply has a selectable AC input that accepts line voltage input within:
Voltage: 110 V (+/- 10 %) or 220 V (+/- 10 %)
Frequency: 47 Hz – 63 Hz
Before connecting to an AC ou tlet or external power source, be sure that the power switch is in
the OFF position and verify that the AC power cord, including the extension line, is compatible
with the rated voltage/current and that the re is sufficient circuit capacity for the power supply.
Once verified, connect the cable firmly.
The included AC power cord is safety certified for this
instrument operating in rate d range . To change a
cable or add an extension cable, be sure that it can
meet the required power rating s for this inst rument.
Any misuse with wrong or unsafe cables will void the
warranty.
SHOCK HAZARD:
The power cord provides a chassis ground through a
third conductor. Verify that your power outlet is of the
three-conductor type with the correct pin connected
to earth ground.
An AC input fuse is necessary when powering the instrument. The below table shows the fuse
required for all models operating with either 110V AC or 220V AC input.
Table 2.1 - Fuse Table
2.3 Line Voltage Selection
The power supplies can be selected to operate with 110 V input or 220 V input. To ensure that
your instrument is properly configured to operate at the desired AC line voltage, please follow
the steps below:
For safety, no power should be applied to the
instrument while changing line voltage operation.
Disconnect all cables connected to the instrument
Step 1 - Check and/or Change Fuse
- Locate the fuse box next to the AC input connector in the rear panel (see Figure 2)
- With a small flat blade screwdriver, insert into the fuse box slit to pull and slide out the fuse
box as indicated below.
- Check and replace fuse (if necessary) for the desired line voltage operation (see Table 1 Fuse Table).
- Locate the Line Voltage Switch, which has m ar ki ngs that indicate “110” for 110V or “220” for
220V line operation. Depending on the model, the Line Voltage Switch will be located either on
the rear or bottom of the instrument. Set the switch to th e des i red line voltag e ope ration.
Figure 6 - Line Voltage Switch Location
Do not connect power to the instrument until the line
voltage selection is setup correctly. Applying an
incorrect line voltage or configuring the line voltage
selection improperly may damage the instrument and
Any disassembling of the case or changing the fuse
not performed by an authorized service technician
The main DC output terminal is a bi nding post terminal o n th e front panel.
Before connecting wires to the output terminals, turn
OFF the power supply to avoid damage to the
instrument and the device under test (DUT). For
safety, load wires must have a wire gauge size large
enough to prevent overheating when the power
supply operates at maximum short circuit output
current. It will also prevent large voltage dro ps from
Hazardous voltages may exist at the outputs and the
load connections when using a pow e r supply wi th a
rated output greater than 40V. To protect personnel
against accidental contact with hazardous voltages,
ensure that the load and its connections have no
accessible live parts. Ensure that the load wiring
insulation rating is greater than to the maximum
output voltage of the power supply.
Note: The initial power on state is based on the settings
in the (Config) configuration menu.
2.6 Preliminary Check
Complete the following steps to verify that the power supply is ready for use.
1.Verify AC Input Voltage
Verify and check to make sure proper AC voltages are available to power the instrument.
The AC voltage range must meet the acceptable specification as explained in “2.1 Input
Power and Fuse Requirements”.
2.Connect Power and Self-Test
Connect AC power cord to the AC receptacle in the rear panel and press the power
switch to the |( ) ON position to turn ON the instrument. It will run through a selftest procedure.
After power on, during the self-test, the following should be displ ayed on the VFD:
Figure 7 - Scan System
After the Scan System is complete the VFD will display as shown in Figure 9.
At p ower-on, the power supply will automatically enter the front-panel operation mode and the
instrument can be controlled via the front panel keys and knob.
The power supply enters remote mode as soon as a valid remote command is received via the
selected communication interface in the re ar panel. The VFD also displays a “” symbol in the
lower left to indicate remote mode. Switching to remote mode does not impact the supply’s
output parameters. In remote mode, front-panel operation is disabled. Only Meter and Local
buttons are enabled. If the power supply is in remote mode and the key is enabled, you
can revert to manual mode by pressing the key.
The power supply is in Meter mode when it is powered on. In this mode, the VFD will display
the output voltage and current.
The output of the power supply can be enabled/disabled from the front panel by pressing the
button. When output is enabled, the supply will display the state and voltage/current of
each channel. ”” represents constant current mode. ” ” represents constant voltage mode.
This is indicated for each channel independently. When output is disabled, the VFD will display
<OFF> for each channel if the supply is in Meter mode. If the supply is not in Meter mode, I-SET
current settings of each channel will be displayed.
3.1 Check Model and Firmware Version
The firmware version, model, and serial number can be verified by pressing the followed
by Info . This information can also be acquired by using the *IDN? remote co mmand via
any of the remote interfaces connected to a computer.
3.2 Output Control
Pressing the button toggles the output state of all 3 channels of the power supply.
To control the output state of each channel individually, press, , or for
Note: To see the voltage and current setting changes, make sure the instrument is not
Meter for more information on this mode.
3.3 Meter Mode
The power supply can display the set voltage and current values or the measured voltage and
current readings. Press the button t o toggle between displaying settings a nd me a s u red
readings. When the button is illuminated, the display shows the measured voltage and
current readings. When it is not illuminated, the display shows the set voltage and current
values.
3.4 Setting Voltage and Current
Follow the steps below to set the output voltage or current. The values can be entered using the
numeric keypad, rotary knob or the Up/Down arrow keys .
1. Using the keypad: Presskey to select channel (selected channel is indicated by
), press (for voltage) or (for current) and the button will illuminate.
Then enter a numerical value on the keypad followed by .
2. Using the rotory knob: Press key to select channel (selected channel is indicated
by ), press (for voltage) or (for current), then press to move
the cursor position and adjust the voltage or current value using the rotory knob.
3. Using the Up/Down arrows: Press key to select channel (selected channel is
indicated by ), press (f or v olt age) or (for curre nt),then press
to move the cursor position and adjust the voltage or current value using .
displaying in meter mode ( button is not illuminated in this mode). See 4.10 Return
When output i s ON, the user can use the rotary knob to adjust the voltage value when the
output is in constant voltage mode. The same can be done to adjust the current value when
output is in constant cu r rent mode.
Note: Avoid exceeding 120% of the rated voltage across the output terminals or it will
damage the power supply.
3.5 Over Voltage Protection (OVP)
Over voltage protection can be set for each channel. Follow the steps below.
1. Press key to select the channel.
2. Press followed by the button. The display will show OVP Set and OFF ON
options below.
3. Use the keys to select OFF or ON to disable or enable OVP for the selected channel.
4. Press and the display below OVP Set will indicate the OVP voltage limit.
5. Use the numeric keypad, rotary knob or the Up/Down arrow keys to change the
desired voltage limit, then press to confirm the changes.
6. Repeat the above steps for setting each channel.
When OVP protection is tripped during operation, the output will turn off a nd th e power supply
will display OVER VOLT. To clear the trip status, press any key once.
3.6 Save/Recall Instrument Settings
Up to 36 instrument settings can be saved/recalled from the instrument’s internal memory. The
settings that can be saved/recalled are set vo l tage, set current, OVP settings, and maximum
voltage limit settings.
Save Settings
1. Configure the settings you want to save and press key and button to enter
Save mode.
2. The button will flash on and off until a Save location value is entered.
3. Use the numeric keypad to enter the memory location between 1 and 9. Once the
location number is entered, the power supply will display Save Data Done! and return to
normal operation.
4. To save more than 9 settings, refer to “4.8 Memory Group”.
5. To exit Save mode at any time, press key.
Recall Settings
1. Press button to enter Recall mode. The button will be illuminated.
2. Use the numeric keypad to enter the memory location between 1 through 9 to recall
Note: When in Recall mode, users can recall settings from different locations without
to press additional keys each time. For example, you can press 1 to recall settings
in location 1, and then press 5 to immediately recall settings in location 5.
saved se ttings from that l ocation. If the selected memory location does not have any
saved settings, the message Recall Data Empty! will be display e d.
having
3. To exit Recall mode at any time, press the button again or press .
3.7 Key Lock
The front panel keys can be locked to prevent unwanted changes to output settings and power
supply configurations. Follow the steps below to enable/disable key lock.
1. Press the key and the button. A Lock indicator will light up on the
display, indicating that the front panel keys are locked. At this point, all keys are disabled
exc e pt for the key,button and button.
2. To unlock the keys, press the key and button again. The Lock indicator
will disappear and all keys will be enabled.
3.8 Output Check
Voltage Check
Follow the steps below to chec k the voltage output with no lo ad connected.
1. Turn on the power supply. The display should look like the following.
Figure 10 - Voltage Check
2. Enable the output by pressing ; the button will illuminate. The < >will be
replaced with a numeric value and a next to this value for each cha nnel .
3. Press the button if it is illuminated to enter the settings mode.
4. Press first, and then a numeric value on the keypad and then press the
button.
Note: The button will automatically return to meter mode and illuminate after
5 seconds of a valid entry (see 4.10 Return Meter to disable this).
5. If the button is not already illuminated, press it once and the display will show
the measured voltage at the output. This voltage may fluctuate slightly from the voltage
value entered in the previous steps.
6. (Optional) You may also verify the output voltage by connecting the (+) and (-) terminals
to an external voltmeter. The measured value should match or be comparable to the
entered voltage value.
7. Verify channels 2 and 3 according to steps 1 through 6.
Current Chec k
Follow the steps below to chec k current output of the power supply.
1. Turn off all output channels ( not illuminated). The display will show the <>
annunciator for all channels on the display.
2. Short the (+ ) and (-) output terminals for CH1 with test leads or a shorting bar.
3. Set the power supply to settings mode (press so that it is not illuminated).
4. Press the button first and then ente r th e value (i.e. 1.000 A) on the keypad and
press the button. The current display will now show the value you entered.
5. Enable the output by pressing the button. The <> annunciator will be
replaced with a next to the value entered indicating the power supply is in constant
current mode. This numeric value may fluctuate slightly fro m the current value entered
in ste p 4.
6. (Optional) You may also verify the output current by connecting the (+) and (-) terminals
to an external current meter capable of measuring the current that you set. The
measured value should match or be comparable to the entered current value.
7. Verify channels 2 and 3 according to steps 1 through 6.
8. Press the power switch to turn off the power supply and remove the short on the output
Select and configure RS232, GPIB, and USB interfaces
MemoryGroup
Select memory group
Protocol
Select SCPI options
ReturnMeter
Enable automatic return state
Reset
Reset menu
Exit
Move up menu structure
System
CH1
Configure channel 1
4 Menu Access and Options
4.1 How to Access the Menu
Before using the instrument, it is important to be familiarized with its menu structure and learn
how to view or change settings and parameters. Follow the steps below to guide you in
selecting the menu options.
1. From the normal display, press the key and the button to enter the menu.
2. Use the keys or encoder knob to move through the menu selections.
3. When the selected item is blinking, pre ss the button to access its menu
settings. There may be parameters or options to select within each menu item. Follow
the same instructions as described in the previous steps to select them.
4. To save changes to a setting, press the button.
To exit the menu at any time, press the key multiple times. Each press exits out of a
submenu.
4.2 Menu Options
All settings and parameters can be configured from the built-in menu system of the power
supply. The menu system is divided into the following sections as displayed on the power
supply.
1. From the Config menu, select GPIB and press the button. This will select the
GPIB interface for remote communication.
2. Use the keys to select Address 1-31 and press the button.
3. To exit the menu at any time, press the key twice.
4.8 Memory Group
Up to 36 instrument settings can be stored into the instrument’s non-volatile memory. The
internal memory bank is di v ided into four groups. They are Grp1, Grp2, Grp3 and Grp4. Each
group can save 9 different operating states (1-9).
From the Config menu, select MemoryGroup and press the button.
Use the keys or rotary knob to select one of th e four g roups – Grp1, Grp2, Grp3, or
Grp4 an d p ress the button.
To save the first 9 instrument settings, select Grp 1, then exit the menu and follow the
instructions in section “3.6 Save/Recall Instrument Settings” to save and recall settings. To save
additional settings, select Grp 2, Grp3, or Grp4, then follow the same steps in section 3.6.
4.9 Protocol
From the Config menu, select Protocol and press the button.
There are three options: DEFAULT, EXT1, LEGACY. Select one of the options by using the
keys or rotary knob and press the button. The DEFAULT option is
recommended for most applic a tio ns. The LEGACY option supports compatibility with B&K
Precision 9130.
Note: EXT1 is not used.
4.10 Return Meter
This option allows users to enable an internal fixed timer delay (5 seconds) for the power
supply to automatically switch from settings mode to meter mode. When enabled, it will
automatically switch to meter mode after 5 seconds. The backlight of the button will
illuminate. In this state, pushing the button again to toggle back to settings mode will reset the
5-second timer again before the supply changes back to meter mode.
From the Config menu, select ReturnMeter and press the button.
1. There are two options that can be selected by using the keys or rotary kno b.
Select OFF or Wait5Sec and press the button.
Reset
Note: Restoring the instrument to default values will change all current instrument settings
and paramet e rs back to their default v a lue s.
All instrument settings can be reset back to their factory default values by doing the following:
From the Config menu, select Reset and press the button.
1. There are two options that can be selected by using the keys or rotary knob,
select NO to exit or YES to proceed and press the button.
Exit
This option will exit the Systems menu and return to the Power Menu….
From the Config menu level, select Exit and press the button.
4.11 System Menu
The system menu allows configuration of each channel’s maximum voltage limit and their
output timer.
To access this menu, press key and then press the button. Use the keys to
select CH1, CH2 or CH3 and press the button.
Use the keys to select MaxVolt, OutTimer or Exit, and then press the button.
MaxVolt
This allows the user to set the maximum voltag e that can be entered from the front
panel to avoid accidental damage to DUT (Device under t est) connected to the power
supply. The maximum voltage can be entered using the numeric keypad, rotary knob or
This option will configure the internal output timer of the selected channel. The timer
can be set from 0.1 to 99999.9 seconds for each output. This will configure the power
supply to enable the output for the specified period of time. This value can be set using
the numeric keypad, rotary knob or the Up/Down arrow keys.
Exit
This option will exit the System menu and return to the Power Menu….
From the System menu level, select Exit and press the button.
4.12 Combined Series and Parallel Modes
This section describes how to configure the power su pply for series and parallel modes.
From the Power Menu … . Select Comb followed by the button. The display will show
four menu opti ons OFF Series Para Tr ack. Each of these options are described below.
Figure 8 – Normal Wiring
OFF
This option is use d to disable series, parallel, or tracking modes.
1. From the Power Combine Set… menu select OFF and press the button.
2. The power supply will momentarily display Remove Successful! Before returning
to normal display.
Series Mode
The series mode doubles the available voltage range that can be supplied by combining
the voltage of channels 1 and 2. The following steps will describe the external wiring and
instrument setup required to use this feature.
1. Power down the unit and remove all wiring from the output terminals.
2. Verify all wiring is connected as illustrated below:
3. Power on the unit and verify that the outputs are disabled (On/Off button
is not illuminated).
4. From the Power Combine Set… menu, select Series and press the button.
5. As CH1+Ch2 is blinking, press the button. The power supply will display
Series Successful! T he display should l ook like the one shown below. Series and
CH1+2 will be shown in the middle of the display.
Figure 10 - Display Series CH1+2
6. Set the voltage and current for CH1+2 and CH3.
7. Enable the outputs by pressing the button.
8. If the button is not illuminated, press the button once to displa y
the measured voltage and current at the output.
Para (Parallel Mo de)
The Parallel mode will increase the available current range that can be supplied by
combining channels 1 and 2, 2 and 3, or All. The following steps will describe the
external wiring and menu options for combining channels CH1+CH2.
1. Power down the unit and remove all wiring from the output terminals.
3. Power on the unit and verify that the outputs are turned off (On/Off button not
illuminated).
4. From the Power Combine Set… menu, select Para and press the button.
5. The following optio ns are available: CH1+CH2, CH1+CH3 or ALL.
6. Select ALL and press the button. The power supply will display Parallel
Successful!
Figure 14 - All Channels Parallel Display
4.13 Tracking Mode
This function co n fi gures the channels for tracking mode. In tracking mode, when a voltage or
current parameter is changed, channels change ac cording to the ratio between channel s .
1. From the Power Combine Set… menu, select Track and press the button.
2. Select one of the following: CH1+CH2, CH1+CH3 or ALL. Then, press the
button.
The power supply will display Track Set Succes sful! The symbol will appear on the
display to indicate tracking is enabled.
Note: Set the intended ratio before enabling tracking. The tracking is based on a ratio
Tracking function is disabled if 0 V or 0 A is set when tracking is enabled.
Model
9130B
9131B
9132B
Series CH1+CH2 Max Voltage
62 V
62 V
122 V
Parallel CH1+CH2 Max Voltage
31 V
31 V
62 V
Parallel CH2+CH3 Max Voltage
6 V
6 V
6 V
Parallel CH1+CH2+CH3 (All) Max Voltage
6 V
6 V
6 V
between CH1 and CH2 when the tracking is enabled. If the voltage is the same on both
channels when set, the two channels will track together based on a 1 to 1 ratio. For
example, if CH1 = 1 V and CH2 = 2 V a 1 to 2 ratio is set when tracking is enabled. With
this ratio, a voltage increase on CH1 from 1 to 2 volts will result in 4 volts on CH2.
4.14 Parameters in Series/Parallel Mode
Maximum voltage
When operating in Series mode, voltages between channels add. In Parallel mode, the voltage
equals the maximum voltage of the lowest voltage channel.
Table 4.1 - Maximum Voltage in Series/Parallel Modes
4.15 Over Temperature Protection
If the internal temperature of the power supply exceeds 176°F (80°C), the instrument will
protect itself by automatically turn the output of f. When this happens, the instrumen t beeper
will turn on and the display will indicat e Over Temp. It is recomme nded that the power supply
be disconnected from the DUT and powered off to allow the s upply to cool down to normal
operati ng t e mperature .
4.16 Remote Sense
Remote sense can be used to compe nsate for voltage drops (up to 1 V) due to resistance from
test leads connected to your device under test (DUT), thus providing more accurate output
voltage. The power supply is initially set up to local sense mode by default. Refer to the
following sections for details of local and remote sense setup.
Local Sense
By default, the power supply is set up for local sense with jumpers installed. This is determined
screws that are designed to tighten wires to the terminals. Doing so may create a
shock hazard under high voltage output conditions.
by the wire connections in the rear panel as shown below.
Figure 15 - Jumpers installed for local sense
DO NOT disconnect the jumpers if remote sense is not used. Doing so will cause
erratic behavior and may damage the power supply under certain conditions.
Never connect any power source into any of the terminals at any time during
operation.
When output is enabled, DO NOT use your hand s to touch the terminals or the
Remote Sense
To enable remote sense, follow the steps below for each channel:
1. Power OFF the supply and disconnect all loads and cables connected to it.
2. Use a small flat blade screwdriver to loosen and remove the jumper wires as shown
below.
Figure 16 - Sense jumpers removed
1. Connect wires to the DUT as illustrated in Figure 20. Make the connections between +
and S+ and S- and – for each channel that will be using remote sense. The S+ and Swires should be twisted as illustra ted to minimize noise.
2. Connect the S+ to the Device Under Test (DUT)’s positive (+) terminal, and connect the S-
to the DUT’s negative (-) terminal.
3. Double check that the connections matches to Figure 20.
4. Power ON the supply and then configure and enable the output.
DO NOT at any time disconnect the wires from the S+ and S- terminals to the DUT
while output is enabled (ON). Doing so may damage the power supply and cause
5 Remote Opera tion
The power supply comes standard with RS232, USB, and GPIB remote interfaces. Users can
program the power supply by using SCPI (Standard Commands for Programmable Instruments)
commands over any one of the remote interfaces. This section will describe how to set up all of
the supported interfaces.
Note: The indicator will appear on display when the power supply is successfully connected
to a PC remotely through any remote interface. Keys on the front panel will be locked until the
instrumen t is in LOCAL mode. To return to LO C A L mo de from the front pa nel, press . The
indicator will disappear when the instrument is in LOCAL mode.
5.1 Interface Configuration
RS-232
For RS-232 connectivity, r efer to the diagram below for pin out information. The RS-232 is
labeled in the rear panel and it is a female DB-9 interface.
Note: The RS-232 interface does not have a flow control mechanism. The programmer
allow for sufficient time to process commands is required.
1 2 3 4 5
6
7 8 9
Figure 18 - RS-232 Pin out
A straight pin-to-pin DB9 female to DB9 male serial cable is required for using the R S -232
interface. Do not use a null modem or crossover DB9 serial cable.
Follow the steps below to configure the power supply for RS-232 operation:
1. From the Config menu, select Communication and press the button.
2. Press the keys until RS-232 is blinking and press the button.
The configurable options are:
3. Use the keys to select the option and the keys to change settings. When
all three options are set press the button.
4. If MUX mode has been selected specify the ADDR using the keypad or and press
the button.
should be aware of this limitation and allow sufficient command process time. If the
remote commands are sent too fast the power supply’s internal buffer may overrun
and cause a communication error. Therefore, adding a delay between commands to
5. All serial settings must match the settings configured on the PC in order for
All models include a USBTMC-compliant interface that can be used for remote communication.
There are no settings in the menu system for USB configuration. The only requirement is a
USBTMC driver. We recommend using the drivers provided by National Instruments, which
come included with NI-VISA and can be downloaded here: http://www.ni.com/visa
1. From the Config menu, select Communication then press .
2. Use the keys to select the USB option then press . No other opti ons
are required.
GPIB
Each model can be configured with a GPIB address from 1-31. To communicate via GPIB,
connect a GPIB cable to the GPIB interface on the rear panel, as illustrated below.
Follow the instructions below to select and configure the GPIB interface for remote operation.
1. From the Config menu, select Communication then press .
2. Use the keys to select the GPIB option then press .
3. Configure the GPIB Communication Address to which the power supply will be assigned.
Use the rotary numeric keypad keys or rotary knob to enter an Address value
from 1-31 then press .
4. Make sure the address assigned to the power supply unit matches the address the data
commands are being sent to.
6 Remote Commands
The instrument supports some SCPI commands and some instrument specific commands. These
commands enable a computer to remotely communicate and control the instrument over any of
the supported remote interfaces: USBTMC, RS-232, and GPIB.
Refer to the pr ogramming manual for details, which can be downloaded from
Below are some frequently asked questions and answers. Please check if any apply to your
power supply before contacting B&K Precision.
General
Q: I cannot power up the power supply.
- Check that the power cord is securely connected to the AC input and there is live power
from your electrical AC outlet.
- Verify that the AC power coming from the mains contains the correct voltage. The power
supply can accept a specific range of AC input voltages. Refer to section 2.1.
Q: How do I set up the supply to run in constan t c ur r e nt mode?
- The supply is a CV/CC power supply that automatically crosses over from CV to CC upon a
load, which draws current at the current limit (ISET). Therefore, it is dependent on the
load. For example, if ISET is configured as 1 A, the load must draw 1 A before the supply
will go into CC mode.
Q: How come my display voltage is lower than the voltage I set?
- This is often because of the resist a nc e s from the test leads/wires connected between the
supply and the DUT (device under test), which causes a drop in voltage. To minimize this
drop, use re mote sense terminals to compensate and output a more accurate voltage to
the DUT.
Q: I cannot set voltage at the maximum rating.
- This may be that the set voltage is outside of the voltage maximum limit. Refer to the
MaxVolt section of the manual and set this value above the voltage that is being entered.
This can also be set to the limit of the power supplies range, which in effect turns off the
MaxVolt function.
Remote Control
Q: I am trying to send the commands over RS232, but it does not seem to respond.
- Check that you are sending ASCII strings that are terminated with a CR (carriage return) and
LF (linefeed) character.
- For RS-232, check that the baud rate, parity, data bits, stop bit, and flow control settings
match with the settings configured on both the soft ware interface and the power supply
Warranty Service: Please go to the support and service section on our website at www.bkprecision.com to obtain a RMA #.
Return the product in the original packaging with proof of purchase to the address below. Clearly state on the RMA the
performance problem and return any leads, probes, connectors and accessories that you are using with the device.
Non-Warranty Service: Please go to the support and service section on our website at www.bkprecision.com to obtain a RMA
#. Return the product in the original packaging to the address below. Clearly state on the RMA the performance problem and
return any leads, probes, connectors and accessories that you are using with the device. Customers not on an open account
must include payment in the form of a money order or credit card. For the most current repair charges please refer to the
service and support sec tion on our website.
Return all merchandise to B&K Precision Corp. with prepaid shipping. The flat-rate repair charge for Non-Warranty Service does
not include return shipping. Return shipping to locations in North America is included for Warranty Service. For overnight
shipments and non-North American shipping fees please contact B&K Precision Corp.
B&K Precision Corp.
22820 Savi Ranch Parkway
Yorba Linda, CA 92887
www.bkprecision.com
714-921-9095
Include with the returned instrument your complete return shipping address, contact name, phone number and description
of problem.
11 LIMITED THREE-YEAR WARRANTY
B&K Precision Corp. warrants to t he original purchaser that its products and the component parts thereof, will be free from
defects in workmanship and materials for a period of three years from date of purchase.
B&K Precision Corp. w ill, without charge, repair or replace, at its option, defective product or component parts. Returned
product must be accompanied by proof of the purchase date in the form of a sales receipt.
To help us better serve you, please complete the warranty registration for your new instrument via our website
www.bkprecision.com
Exclusions: This warranty does not apply in the event of misuse or abuse of the product or as a result of unauthorized
alterations or repairs. The warranty is void if the serial number is altered, defaced or removed.
B&K Precision Corp. shall not be liable for any consequential damages, including without limitation damages resulting from loss
of use. Some states do not allow limitations of incidental or consequential damages. So the above limitation or exclusion may
not apply to you.
This warranty gives you specific rights and you may have other rights, which vary from state-to-state.