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The ARRAY 366X is a high performance instrument capable of delivering clean dc
power. But to take full advantage of the performance characteristics designed into the
power supply, certain basic precautions must be observed when it is connected for use
on the lab bench or as a controlled power supply. This chapter gives specific details
on the operation of the ARRAY 366X power supply.
An Overview of ARRAY 366X Operation
The ARRAY 366X has a very precise regulating properties and respond quickly to
variations of the line and load. These supplies also exhibit low ripple and noise, the
tolerance of ambient temperature changes, circuit simplicity, and a high reliability.
The ARRAY 366X is controlled by a control circuit that provides voltages to program
the outputs. The power supply sends the output voltages back to the control circuit.
The control circuits receive information from the front panel and send instant
information to the display. At the same time, the control circuit also receives and
returns the corresponding values over the remote interface.
The remote interface is isolated from the control circuit and the power supply.
Output Characteristics
An ideal constant-voltage power supply would have a zero output impedance at all
frequencies. Thus, the voltage would remain perfectly constant in spite of any changes
in output current demanded by the load. The ideal constant-current power supply
exhibits infinite output impedance at all frequencies. Thus the output voltage of the
ideal constant-current power supply would change correspondingly when a load
change occurred in order to maintain its output current at a constant value.
Ideal Constant Voltage Mode Ideal Constant Current Mode
The ARRAY 366X power supply outputs can operate in either constant-voltage (CV)
mode or constant-current (CC) mode. Under certain fault conditions, the power
supply can not operate in either CV or CC mode and becomes unregulated.
Figure below shows the operating modes of the three outputs of the power supply. The
