The numeric keys and rotary knob provide a convenient interface for setting the operating mode and desired current, voltage, and resistance levels quickly
and precisely.
Rear panel
Cooling fan
RS-232
interface
USB
interface
GPIB interface
Current monitor BNC output
Outputs a 0-10 V signal that follows
0-full range of the input current.
I/O terminal block
Line voltage selector
External trigger, external analog programming,
external input On/Off control, voltage fault pin,
and remote sense terminals
2
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Programmable DC Electronic Loads
8600 Series
Models 8610, 8612, 8614 & 8616
Front panel
Bright dual-line display
Power
switch
The 8600 Series display shows both measured
input values and set parameters simultaneously.
Operating
mode keys
Cursor
keys
Function
keys
Numeric
keypad
Rear panel
Current monitor BNC output
Input
terminals
Outputs a 0-10 V signal that follows
0-full range of the input current.
RS-232
interface
USB
interface
GPIB
interface
Line voltage
selector
AC line
input
Cooling fan
I/O terminal block
Input fuse holder
External trigger, external analog programming, external input
On/Off control, voltage fault pin, and remote sense terminals
3
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Programmable DC Electronic Loads
8600 Series
Flexible operation
Transient operation
A
A level
Trigger
CC 1 A
B level
List mode
A
Automatic test mode
CV 3 V
fail
CR 2
Ω
pass
CW 0.5 W
pass
0
1
2
3 4
Steps
5
6
7
8
pass
Slew Rate
t
t
1s
0.5 s
1.5 s
2.5 s
Transient operation enables the load to periodically
switch between two load levels (A/B). A power
supply’s regulation and transient characteristic can
be evaluated by monitoring the supply’s output
voltage under varying combinations of load levels,
duty cycle, and slew rate. The 8600 Series can
simulate these conditions in CC, CV, CW, and CR
mode.
Not limited to just switching between two levels,
list mode lets you generate more complex
sequences of input changes with several different
levels. Up to 7 groups of list files can be saved
and executed in CC mode via internal or external
trigger. Each list can contain up to 84 steps with
varying slew rates and a minimum width time of
20
μs
per step.
Low voltage operation
The 8600 Series can operate at low voltages for applications such as fuel cell and solar cell testing.
I
The 8600 Series can execute multiple test
sequences in automatic test mode. Up to 100
different sequences can be linked to run steps of
various operating modes and loading conditions.
Each sequence can also be programmed with
upper and lower limit Pass/Fail criteria. When
applied in production testing, you can easily
judge whether the test parameters of your
devices are within the specification limits and
adjust your process according to the Pass/Fail
verdict.
CR-LED mode
240
I
≈
Current (A)
120
8614
Io
Rd
8610
Vd
Vo
V
LED I-V Curve
60
8601
8616
Vd = Forward voltage of the LED
Rd = LED operating resistance
Vo = LED operating voltage
Io = LED operating current
Use the load’s unique CR-LED operating mode
to test LED drivers. This function allows users to
configure the LED’s operating resistance and
forward voltage to simulate the loading behavior
of typical LEDs.
30
8600
8612
8602
0
1
2
3
4
5
V
Voltage (V)
Typical minimum operating voltage at full scale current
8600
1.1 V
4
8601
1.1 V
8602
4.5 V
8610
1.2 V
8612
3.6 V
8614
1.5 V
8616
3.6 V
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Programmable DC Electronic Loads
8600 Series
Remote control and programming
Powerful communication interfaces
The 8600 Series provides standard GPIB, USB,
and RS232 interfaces for remote communication.
These interfaces offer SCPI and USBTMC
standard communication protocols to control
your electronic load from a PC.
External analog programming and
monitoring interface
In addition to front panel and remote interface
control, current values can also be programmed
with an analog control signal. The electronic
loads can be externally controlled from zero to
full scale with a 0-10 V input signal. A BNC
output is available on the rear for monitoring
the current with a 0-10 V output signal.
Application software
Battery test function
Typical battery discharge curve
1.8
1.6
1.4
Voltage-on (Von) latch operation
V
Von
Level
Volts
1.2
1.0
0.8
0.6
0.4
0
0.5
1.0
1.5
2.0
2.5
Load Sink
Current
t
A
Rise Rate
A/µs
PC software is provided for front panel emulation,
generating and executing test sequences, or
logging measurement data without the need to
write source code. Additionally, this application
software integrates with NI Data Dashboard for
LabVIEW apps, which allows users to create a
custom dashboard on a tablet computer or
smartphone to remotely monitor 8600 Series
DC loads via this PC software.
I
Hours
t
The built-in battery test function uses CC mode
to calculate the battery capacity using a fixed
current load discharge. Users can specify cut-off
voltage level, capacity level, and time stop
conditions.
Control the input turn on state for the DC
electronic load by configuring the Von latch
function. This can be used to start and stop
discharging of a battery or other power source
at a specified voltage level.
I
I
I
Built-in rise and fall time measurement
8600 Series display
Remote monitoring on iOS, Android or
Windows 8 compatible tablets or
smartphones via NI Data Dashboard for
LabVIEW apps
Log voltage, current, and power values with
timestamp
Run transient operation and list mode
programs remotely
Create an unlimited number of external list
files to be executed from PC memory
Adjustable slew rate
A
Oscilloscope display
Slew Rate
t
The 8600 Series can measure the rise or fall time from a specified start and stop voltage level of
the measured input without the need for an oscilloscope. This function can also be used as an
internal timer to count how long the input has been enabled.
