Electronic Load Fundamentals

 

What is an electronic load?

An electronic load is a test instrument designed to sink current and absorb power out of a power source. If a power supply is used to power a device, an electronic load is used to test the power supply by emulating the device under test (DUT).

An electronic load is a programmable instrument that offers the user various modes of control such as constant voltage (CV), constant current (CC), constant power (CP) or constant resistance (CR).

Who uses electronic loads?

Device manufacturers and design engineers use electronic loads to test numerous power devices such as power supplies, DC-DC converters, chargers, adapters, batteries, solar panels, fuel-cells, and more.

Why do engineers use electronic loads instead of a fixed value power resistor?

In situations where you need a purely resistive load and no closed loop control is required, it is sufficient to use a fixed value power resistor. A fixed value resistor presents many limitations. It is not adequate for loading and testing power sources that have complex testing requirements. Such tasks require sophisticated electronic load features to validate the various states of operation.

Constant current operation mode

Constant current (CC) is the most frequent mode in which an electronic load is used. In constant current mode, the load will sink the programmed current independently from the output voltage which is typically forced by the voltage source connected to it (for example a battery).

Constant voltage operation mode

In constant voltage (CV) mode the electronic load sets a fixed programmable voltage across its terminals independently from the input current. In CV mode, the current is set by the current source connected to it – for example, a current charging circuit or a LED current driver. The load adjusts its resistance dynamically to attain the programmed voltage at any current established by the current source under test.

Constant resistance operation

In constant resistance (CR) mode, the load acts as a fixed programmable power resistor. An electronic load’s CR mode is well-suited for loading a power source that is either a voltage or current source. When the load connects to a voltage source it sinks a current equal to the source potential divided by the programmed resistance value.

Low cost temperature sensor

Low cost temperature sensor can be achieved by using diode or transistor (by shorting Base and Collector). When constant current passes through the base-emitter junction it produces a voltage between the base and emitter (Vbe) that is a linear function of the absolute temperature. 

The overall forward voltage drop has a temperature coefficient of approximately 2 mV/°C. The semiconductor junction sensor’s voltage versus temperature is much more linear than that of a thermocouple or resistive temperature device (RTD). 

How to ruggedized Arduino Boards

As we all know that Arduino boards are low cost and are not designed to be used in a harsh environment. However, we can ruggedize these boards by adding proper protection circuitry so that it can be used for industrial environments.

One company in the States is designing ruggedized Arduino-compatible microcontroller boards and they posted on their website interesting ways to destroy the boards as well as the fix. Here is the link.

Implementing Ship Mode to Your Product

As the presence of global manufacturing and distribution increases, many original equipment manufacturers are looking for creative ways to extend battery life during shipping and shelf life at big-box warehouses. Keeping the battery sufficiently charged during shipment enables a consistent out-of-box experience for the end-user. A solution that has gained popularity is the use of a ship mode feature that keeps devices in a low-power state during shipment and while on the shelf. Here is my solution using a load switch from TI, TPS22915B.

This is how the circuit works. Before the button is pressed, the solution is in ship mode, meaning that the system is not powered and theTPS22915B load switch is turned off. When the button is pressed, the voltage from the battery is passed through the PMOS to the ON pin of the TPS22915B. The voltage enables the TPS22915B, brings VOUT high, turns off the PMOS, and powers the system. The ON pin is pulled up to VOUT, which keeps the load switch enabled even after the button is released.

Making your own PCB by Etching method

1) Artwork Printing: 

Print your artwork on a transparent sheet.

2) Exposing:

Kinsten Presensitized PCB is using for this prototype as it is low cost and easy to work. Remove light-proof protective film and expose the board in the Kinsten UV exposure box for 90 seconds.
Align the artwork with the PCB inside the vacuum clamp, leave it inside the exposure box for about 5 minutes.

3) Developing:

A sachet of DP-50 developer is mixed with 1 liter of 25°C water in a plastic container. The exposed PCB is gently agitated in solution. The exposed areas of resist will dissolve into the solution, leaving the green resist in areas that were not exposed to UV light as below.

4) Etching:

Etching copper is done in the Kinsten Etching Tank for 4 to 10 minutes. Pour enough etching solution (Ferric Chloride or Ammonium Persulphate) into the tank and immerse the board. Use the air pump to allow the etchant to be bubble agitated until the unwanted copper foil etched away, only the circuit patterns left. Rinse the board with plenty of water.

Remember “Safety First” always wear rubber gloves and protective eyewear when working with this etching compound. Kindly take note, once you've etched your board, the leftover solution should not pour it down the drain (legally). Take it to a hazardous waste facility.

Here is the final outcome. To get better results, make PCB trace thickness at least 10 or 12 mil and leave the wider gap between trace and GND copper pour.