GW Instek PPX Series USER MANUAL

Programmable High Precision DC
Power Supply

PPX Series

USER MANUAL

Rev. A

ISO-9001 CERTIFIED MANUFACTURER

This manual contains proprietary information, which is protected by
copyright. All rights are reserved. No part of this manual may be
photocopied, reproduced or translated to another language without
prior written consent of Good Will company.

The information in this manual was correct at the time of printing.
However, Good Will continues to improve products and reserves the
rights to change specification, equipment, and maintenance
procedures at any time without notice.

Good Will Instrument Co., Ltd.
No. 7-1, Jhongsing Rd., Tucheng Dist., New Taipei City 236, Taiwan.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Table of Contents

SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS .................................................. 5

GETTING STARTED .......................................................... 8

PPX Series Overview .............................. 9

Appearance .......................................... 12

Theory of Operation ............................. 20

OPERATION .................................................................. 30

Set Up .................................................. 31

Menu Tree ............................................ 40

Basic Operation ................................... 46

Sequence Test ...................................... 74

MENU CONFIGURATION .............................................. 107

Configuration Overview ..................... 108

Output ............................................... 108

Measurement ..................................... 112

EXT Control ....................................... 115

TRIG Control ...................................... 120

PWR On Config .................................. 126

Constant PWR .................................... 127

Temperature....................................... 130

Save/Recall ........................................ 134

Interface ............................................ 137

Utility ................................................. 144

APP .................................................... 152

Calibration ......................................... 155

ANALOG CONTROL ...................................................... 156

Analog Remote Control Overview ....... 157

Remote Monitoring ............................ 173

3

PPX Series User Manual

COMMUNICATION INTERFACE .................................... 178

Interface Configuration ...................... 179

FAQ .............................................................................. 208

APPENDIX .................................................................... 210

PPX Factory Default Settings .............. 210

PPX Specifications ............................. 213

PPX Dimensions ................................ 218

Declaration of Conformity .................. 219

INDEX .......................................................................... 220

4

SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS

WARNING

Warning: Identifies conditions or practices that
could result in injury or loss of life.

CAUTION

Caution: Identifies conditions or practices that
could result in damage to the PPX or to other
properties.

DANGER High Voltage

Attention Refer to the Manual

Protective Conductor Terminal

Earth (ground) Terminal

SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS

This chapter contains important safety
instructions that you must follow during
operation and storage. Read the following before
any operation to insure your safety and to keep
the instrument in the best possible condition.

Safety Symbols

These safety symbols may appear in this manual or on the
instrument.

5

PPX Series User Manual

Do not dispose electronic equipment as unsorted
municipal waste. Please use a separate collection
facility or contact the supplier from which this
instrument was purchased.

General
Guideline

CAUTION

 Do not place any heavy object on the PPX.
 Avoid severe impact or rough handling that

leads to damaging the PPX.

 Do not discharge static electricity to the PPX.
 Use only mating connectors, not bare wires, for

the terminals.

 Do not disassemble the PPX unless you are

qualified.

Power Supply

CAUTION

WARNING

 AC Input Voltage:

100Vac/120Vac/220Vac/240Vac, 50Hz/60Hz,
single phase

 Frequency: 47Hz to 63Hz
 Before connecting the power plug to an AC line

outlet, make sure the voltage selector switches
of the bottom panel in the correct position.

 Disconnect power cord and test leads before

replacing fuse.

 The fuse specification is as following:

 To avoid electrical shock connect the protective

grounding conductor of the AC power cord to
an earth ground.

Safety Guidelines

6

SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS

Cleaning the PPX

 Disconnect the power cord before cleaning.
 Use a soft cloth dampened in a solution of mild

detergent and water. Do not spray any liquid.

 Do not use chemicals containing harsh material

such as benzene, toluene, xylene, and acetone.

Operation
Environment

 Location: Indoor, no direct sunlight, dust free,

almost non-conductive pollution (Note below)

 Relative Humidity: 20%~ 80% (no condensation)
 Altitude: < 2000m
 Temperature: 0°C to 40°C

(Pollution Degree) EN61010-1:2010 specifies the pollution degrees
and their requirements as follows. The PPX falls under degree 2.

Pollution refers to “addition of foreign matter, solid, liquid, or

gaseous (ionized gases), that may produce a reduction of dielectric
strength or surface resistivity”.

 Pollution degree 1: No pollution or only dry, non-conductive

pollution occurs. The pollution has no influence.

 Pollution degree 2: Normally only non-conductive pollution

occurs. Occasionally, however, a temporary conductivity caused
by condensation must be expected.

 Pollution degree 3: Conductive pollution occurs, or dry, non-

conductive pollution occurs which becomes conductive due to
condensation which is expected. In such conditions, equipment
is normally protected against exposure to direct sunlight,
precipitation, and full wind pressure, but neither temperature
nor humidity is controlled.

Storage
environment

 Location: Indoor
 Temperature: -20°C to 70°C
 Relative Humidity: 20 to 85%(no condensation)

Disposal

Do not dispose this instrument as unsorted
municipal waste. Please use a separate collection
facility or contact the supplier from which this
instrument was purchased. Please make sure
discarded electrical waste is properly recycled to
reduce environmental impact.

7

PPX Series User Manual

PPX Series Overview .............................................. 9

Series lineup ........................................................................................ 9

Main Features ..................................................................................... 9

Accessories ........................................................................................10

Appearance .......................................................... 12

Front Panel ........................................................................................12

Display Area ......................................................................................16

Rear Panel ..........................................................................................18

Theory of Operation ............................................. 20

Operating Description ....................................................................20

CC and CV Mode.............................................................................21

Slew Rate ...........................................................................................22

Bleeder Control ................................................................................23

Alarms ................................................................................................24

Considerations ..................................................................................25

Grounding .........................................................................................28

GETTING STARTED

This chapter describes the power supply in a
nutshell, including its main features and front /
rear panel introduction. After going through the
overview, please read the theory of operation to
become familiar with the operating modes,
protection modes and other safety considerations.

8

GETTING STARTED

Model name

Operation Voltage

Operation Current

Rated Power

PPX-1005

0-10V

0-5A

50W

PPX-2002

0-20V

0-2A

40W

PPX-2005

0-20V

0-5A

100W

PPX-3601

0-36V

0-1A

36W

PPX-3603

0-36V

0-3A

108W

PPX-10H01

0-100V

0-1A

100W

Features

 2.4" TFT-LCD Panel.
 Preset memory function.

 Output ON/OFF delay function.
 CV, CC priority start function. (prevents

overshoot with output ON)

 Adjustable voltage and current slew rates.
 Bleeder circuit ON/OFF setting. (to prevent

over-discharging of batteries)

 OVP, OCP, AC Alarm and OTP protection.
 Supports test sequence.
 Web server monitoring and control. (The

function is activated when connecting to LAN
Interface)

 Analog monitor output.

PPX Series Overview

Series lineup

The PPX series consists of 6 models, covering a number of different
current, voltage and power capacities:

Main Features

9

PPX Series User Manual

 Remote sensing to compensate for voltage drop

in load leads.

 Support K type thermocouple temperature

measurement.

 With 4 measuring currents and Manual / Auto

shift function.

Interface

 Built-in USB, RS-232/485 and LAN interface.
 External analog control function.
 Optional GPIB interface.

Standard
Accessories

Part number

Description

Qty.

GTL-104A

Test leads for PPX-1005/PPX­2005/PPX-3603 (Binding Posts
Terminal), 1m, 10A

1
GTL-105A

Test leads for PPX-2002/PPX-3601,
1m, 3A

1
Short Bar (Binding Posts Terminal)

1

GTL-204A

Test leads for PPX-1005/PPX­2005/PPX-3603 (European Type Jack
Terminal), 1m, 10A

1

GTL-203A

Test leads for PPX-2002/PPX­3601/PPX-10H01 (European Type Jack
Terminal), 1m, 3A

1
GTL-201A

Ground lead for European Type Jack
Terminal

1
Power Cord

1

Accessories

Before using the PPX power supply unit, check the package
contents to make sure all the standard accessories are included.

10

GETTING STARTED

Optional
Accessories

Part number

Description
GRA-441-J

Rack for PPX (JIS)

GRA-441-E

Rack for PPX (EIA)

GTL-205A

Temperature probe adaptor with
thermocouple K type

GTL-246

USB Cable (USB 2.0 Type A- Type B Cable,
4P)

GTL-258

GPIB Cable, 2000mm

GTL-259

RS232 cable with DB9 connector to RJ45

GTL-260

RS485 cable with DB9 connector to RJ45

GTL-262

RS485 slave cable

Factory Installed
Options

Part number

Description
Option 1

GPIB interface

11

1

2
3
4

5
6

7

8

9

10

11

12

14

15

13

16

1.

Display
Button

Used to switch among 4 different
display modes.

2.

Knob Key

Used to navigate menu, and to
configure or confirm
voltage/current/time values, among
others. Also, the indicator on the
upper-right corner shows current state
and power mode.

PPX Series User Manual

Appearance

Front Panel

12

GETTING STARTED

3.

Left/Right
Arrow Keys

Used to select a parameter number in
the Function settings. Also the left
arrow key can be used as backspace.

4.

Menu Button

Used to enter the Menu page. Refer to
page 108 for detail.

M1 Button

(+Shift) Used to recall the M1 setup.

5.

Test Button

Used to run customized test sequence.
Refer to page 74 for detail.

M2 Button

(+Shift) Used to recall the M2 setup.

6.

D-Log Button

Used to run data log function. Refer to
page 71 for detail.

M3 Button

(+Shift) Used to recall the M3 setup.

7. PROT Button

Used to set OVP, OCP and UVL
protecting functions. Refer to page 47
for details.

ALM_CLR
Button

+

(+Shift) Used to release protection
functions that have been activated.
The tripped protection alarms include
the following: OVP Alarm, OCP
Alarm, OTP Alarm, AC Alarm, Sense
Alarm, WDOG Alarm, Ah CAP
Alarm, Wh CAP Alarm, TEMP Short
Alarm, TEMP Monitor Alarm.

8.

Shift Button

Used to enable the functions that are
written in blue characters above
certain buttons.

13

PPX Series User Manual

9.

Lock Button

Used to lock all front panel buttons
other than the Output Button. Refer to
page 60 for detail.

Unlock/Local
Button

(+Shift) Used to unlock the front panel
buttons or it switches to local mode.

10.

Output
Button

Used to turn the output on or off.

11.

USB A Port

USB A port for data transfer, loading
test scripts and firmware update.

12.

TC Input

Terminal to connect the K type
thermocouple cable for temperature
measurement. Refer to page 66 for
detail.

13.

Sensing
Terminal

Terminal to connect the sensing
cables, which compensate voltage
drop occurred in load leads.

14.

Power Switch

Used to turn the power on/off.

15.

Output
terminal

DC output terminal for
PPX is European Type
Jack Terminal.

PPX-10H01 the max.
output is 100V/1A/100W

14

GETTING STARTED

DC output terminal for
PPX is Binding Posts
Terminal or European
Type Jack Terminal.

PPX-1005 the max. output
is 10V/5A/50W

DC output terminal for
PPX is Binding Posts
Terminal or European
Type Jack Terminal.

PPX-2002 the max. output
is 20V/2A/40W

DC output terminal for
PPX is Binding Posts
Terminal or European
Type Jack Terminal.

PPX-2005 the max. output
is 20V/5A/100W

DC output terminal for
PPX is Binding Posts
Terminal or European
Type Jack Terminal.

PPX-3601 the max. output
is 36V/1A/36W

DC output terminal for
PPX is Binding Posts
Terminal or European
Type Jack Terminal.

PPX-3603 the max. output
is 36V/3A/108W

16

Display Area

The display area shows set values, output values
and parameter settings.

15

Display Area

1

2

3

4

5 6

7

8

9

10

17

16

15

14 12

13

11

1

2

3

4

5 6

7

10

17

16

15

14 12

13

11

1.

2Wire/4Wire

2-wire or 4-wire indicator.

2.

Voltage Meter

Displays the voltage.

3.

Current Meter

Displays the current.

4.

V/A Set
Guidance

The scrolling symbol indicates to select
between V and A set via scrolling knob key.

External CC &
CV Control

When the external CC or CV control is
activated, the indicator(s) will be shown.

5.

V Set

Manually sets voltage.

6.

I(A) Set

Manually sets current.

7.

Dlog Icon

When Data Logger is enabled, the icon will be
shown accordingly. Note that when SEQ
appears, the icon will be faded out.

SEQ

When Sequence function is turned On, the icon
will be shown accordingly.

PPX Series User Manual

16

GETTING STARTED

8.

DLY Icon

When Output On/Off Dly is enabled, the icon
will be shown accordingly. Note that when
SEQ appears, the icon will be faded out.

9.

VSR/ISR
Icon

When CV/CC Slew Rate Priority (CVLS/CCLS)
is activated, the icon will be shown. Note that
when SEQ appears, the icon will be faded out.

10.

CC/CV/UR
indicator

It shows when constant voltage or constant
current mode is ongoing. However, when output
is unregulated, which means neither in CV mode
nor CC mode, it shows UR instead. If it is not
under power output, it simply shows Off.

11.

LAN Indicator

When PPX series connects to LAN network, the
icon will be shown.

12.

Remote Control
Indicator

When remote control (USB/LAN/GPIB,
UART) is underway, the icon will be shown.

13.

USB Indicator

When USB disk is inserted into the front panel
of PPX series, the icon will be shown.

14.

External Output
Indicator

When external output enable is turned On, the
icon will be shown.

15.

Lock Indicator

When the lock mode is activated, the icon will
be shown.

16.

Communication
Monitor
Indicator

When communication monitor is enabled, the
icon will be shown.

17.

Error Indicator

When error occurs from command of remote
control, the icon will be shown.

17

Rear Panel

5
2
1

3
4

6

7

8

1.

Remote-OUT

RJ-45 connector that is used to daisy chain power
supplies with the Remote-IN port to form a
communication bus.

2.

Remote-IN

Two different types of cables can be used for
RS232 or RS485-based remote control.
PSU-232: RS232 cable with DB9 connector kit.
PSU-485: RS485 cable with DB9 connector kit.

3.

LAN

Ethernet port for controlling the PPX remotely

4.

USB

USB port for controlling the PPX remotely.

PPX Series User Manual

18

GETTING STARTED

5.

GPIB

GPIB connector for units equipped with IEEE
programming option. (Factory Installed Options)

6.

EXT I/O

External analog remote control connector.

7.

Line Voltage
Input

AC inlet.

8.

AC Select
Switch

The AC selector is located at the
bottom side of the unit.

Switch Voltage to 100V, 120V,
220V or 240V.

19

PPX Series User Manual

Background

The PPX power supplies are regulated DC
power supplies with a stable voltage and
current output. These operate within a switch
automatically between constant voltage and
constant current according to changes in the
load.

Suitable supply cord set for use with the equipment:

 Mains plug: shall be national approval
 Mains connector: C13 type
 Cable:

1. Length of power supply cord: less

than 3m

2. Cross-section of conductors: at least

0.75mm2

3. Cord type: shall meet the

requirements of IEC 60227 or IEC
60245 (e.g.: H05VV-F, H05RN-F)

Caution

If the equipment is used in a manner not specified
by the manufacturer, the protection provided by
the equipment may be impaired.

Theory of Operation

The theory of operation chapter describes the basic principles of
operation, protection modes and important considerations that
must be taken into account before use.

Operating Description

20

GETTING STARTED

CC and CV mode
Description

When the power supply is operating in
constant current mode (CC) a constant current
will be supplied to the load. When in constant
current mode the voltage output can vary,
whilst the current remains constant. When the
load resistance increases to the point where the
set current limit (I

SET

) can no longer be
sustained the power supply switches to CV
mode. The point where the power supply
switches modes is the crossover point.

When the power supply is operating in CV
mode, a constant voltage will be supplied to
the load, whilst the current will vary as the
load varies. At the point that the load
resistance is too low to maintain a constant
voltage, the power supply will switch to CC
mode and maintain the set current limit.

The conditions that determine whether the
power supply operates in CC or CV (V

SET

), the
load resistance (RL) and the critical resistance
(RC). The critical resistance is determined by
V

SET/ISET

. The power supply will operate in CV
mode when the load resistance is greater than
the critical resistance. This means that the
voltage output will be equal to the V

SET

voltage

but the current will be less than I

SET

. If the load
resistance is reduced to the point that the
current output reaches the I

SET

level, the power

supply switches to CC mode.

CC and CV Mode

21

PPX Series User Manual

Conversely the power supply will operate in
CC mode when the load resistance is less than
the critical resistance. In CC mode the current
output is equal to I

SET

and the voltage output is

less than V

SET

.

RL=R

C

RL<R

C

VSET

ISET

CV

CC

V

I

RL>R

C

Crossover

point

Theory

The PPX has selectable slew rates for CC and
CV mode. This gives the PPX power supply the
ability to limit the current/voltage draw of the
power supply. Slew rate settings are divided
into High Speed Priority and Slew Rate
Priority. High speed priority mode will use the
fastest slew rate for the instrument. Slew Rate
Priority mode allows for user adjustable slew
rates for CC or CV mode. The rising and falling
slew rate can be set independently.

Slew Rate

22

GETTING STARTED

High Speed

Priority

mode

Slew rate =

Enabled

Background

The PPX DC power supplies employ a bleed
resistor in parallel with the output terminals.

PPX

Load

Bleed

resistor

Bleed resistors are designed to dissipate the
power from the power supply filter capacitors
when power is turned off and the load is
disconnected. Without a bleed resistor, power
may remain charged on the filter capacitors for
some time and be potentially hazardous.

In addition, bleed resistors also allow for
smoother voltage regulation of the power
supply as the bleed resistor acts as a minimum
voltage load.

The bleed resistance can be turned on or off
using the configuration settings.

Bleeder Control

23

PPX Series User Manual

Note

By default the bleed resistance is on. For battery
charging applications, be sure to turn the bleed
resistance off as the bleed resistor can discharge
the connected battery when the unit is off.

OVP

Over voltage protection (OVP) prevents a high
voltage from damaging the load. This alarm
can be set by the user.

OCP

Over current protection prevents high current
from damaging the load. This alarm can be set
by the user.

UVL

Under voltage limit. This function sets a
minimum voltage setting level for the output.
It can be set by the user.

OTP

Over temperature protection protect the
instrument from overheating

AC ALARM

When AC input voltage or frequency is
abnormal or beyond the AC power range
under operation, the alarm will be generated.

SENSE ALARM

This alarm function is activated when real
output voltage is larger than sense output
voltage.

Alarm output

Alarms are output via the analog control
connector. The alarm output is an isolated
open-collector photo coupler output.

Alarms

The PPX power supplies have a number of protection features.
When one of the protection alarms is set, the ALM icon on the
display will be lit. For details on how to set the protection modes,
please see page 47.

24

GETTING STARTED

Inrush current

When the power supply switch is first turned
on, an inrush current is generated. Ensure there
is enough power available for the power
supply when first turned on, especially if a
number of units are turned on at the same
time.

Caution

Cycling the power on and off quickly can cause the
inrush current limiting circuit to fail as well as
reduce the working life of the input fuse and power
switch.

Pulsed or Peaked
loads

When the load has current peaks or is pulsed, it
is possible for the maximum current to exceed
the mean current value. The PPX power supply
ammeter only indicates mean current values,
which means for pulsed current loads, the
actual current can exceed the indicated value.
For pulsed loads, the current limit must be
increased, or a power supply with a greater
capacity must be chosen. As shown below, a
pulsed load may exceed the current limit and
the indicated current on the power supply
ammeter.

Considerations

The following situations should be taken into consideration when
using the power supply.

25

PPX Series User Manual

Current limit

level

Measured

Ammeter

current

Reverse Current:
Regenerative load

When the power supply is connected to a
regenerative load such as a transformer or
inverter, reverse current will feed back to the
power supply. The PPX power supply cannot
absorb reverse current. For loads that create
reverse current, connect a resistor in parallel
(dummy load) to the power supply to bypass
the reverse current. To calculate the resistance
for the dummy resistor, RD, first determine the
maximum reverse current, IR, and determine
what the output voltage, EO, will be.

RD(Ω) ≤ EO(V) ÷ IR(A)

PPX

Load

R

D

I

R

I

R

-

+

E

O

Output

Current

Note

The current output will decrease by the amount of
current absorbed by the resistor.

Ensure the resistor used can withstand the power
capacity of the power supply/load.

26

GETTING STARTED

Reverse Current:
Accumulative
energy.

When the power supply is connected to a load
such as a battery, reverse current may flow
back to the power supply. To prevent damage
to the power supply, use a reverse-current­protection diode in series between the power
supply and load.

PPX

Load

Diode

CAUTION

Ensure the reverse withstand voltage of the diode
is able to withstand 2 times the rated output
voltage of the power supply and the forward
current capacity can withstand 3 to 10 times the
rated output current of the power supply.

Ensure the diode is able to withstand the heat
generated in the following scenarios.

When the diode is used to limit reverse voltage,
remote sensing cannot be used.

27

PPX Series User Manual

Floating

As the output terminals are floating, the load
and all load cables must have an insulation
capacity that is greater than the isolation
voltage of the power supply.

PPX

Load

Ext-V
Ext-R

Analog

connector

( ) Insulation capacity > isolation voltage

of power supply

WARNING

If the insulation capacity of the load and load
cables are not greater than the isolation voltage of
the power supply, electric shock may occur.

Grounding

The output terminals of the PPX power supplies are isolated with
respect to the protective grounding terminal. The insulation
capacity of the load, the load cables and other connected devices
must be taken into consideration when connected to the protective
ground or when floating.

28

GETTING STARTED

Grounded output
terminal

If the positive or negative terminal is connected
to the protective ground terminal, the
insulation capacity needed for the load and
load cables is greatly reduced. The insulation
capacity only needs to be greater than the
maximum output voltage of the power supply
with respect to ground.

PPX

Load

Ext-V
Ext-R

Analog

connector

( ) Insulation capacity > voltage of power

supply with respect to ground

CAUTION

If using external voltage control, do not ground
the external voltage terminal as this will create a
short circuit.

29

PPX Series User Manual

Set Up...................................................................... 31

Power Up ...........................................................................................31

Wire Gauge Considerations ...........................................................32

Output Terminals .............................................................................33

Connection with the front panel output terminal ..................... 33

Using the Rack Mount Kit .............................................................34

How to Use the Instrument ...........................................................34

Reset to Factory Default Settings ..................................................38

View System Version and Build Date ..........................................39

Menu Tree ................................................................ 40

Menu Page - 1 ...................................................................................41

Menu Page - 2 ...................................................................................42

Menu Page - 3 ...................................................................................43

D-Log .................................................................................................44

PROT .................................................................................................44

TEST ..................................................................................................45

Basic Operation ....................................................... 46

Setting OVP/OCP/UVL Levels ...................................................47

Set to C.V. Priority Mode ...............................................................51

Set to C.C. Priority Mode ...............................................................55

Display Modes ..................................................................................59

Panel Lock .........................................................................................60

Save Setup .........................................................................................61

Recall Setup .......................................................................................62

Remote Sensing ................................................................................64

Temperature ......................................................................................66

Data Logger.......................................................................................71

Sequence Test .......................................................... 74

Sequence Script File Format ..........................................................75

Sequence Script Settings .................................................................75

Sequence Step Edit Settings ...........................................................77

Setting Sequence Script Configurations .......................................82

Run Sequence Script ........................................................................94

Load Sequence Script ......................................................................98

Save Sequence Script .................................................................... 101

OPERATION

30