Parallel And Series Connections; Parallel Connections - Keysight Technologies N6705C Operating And Service Manual

Parallel and Series Connections

Parallel Connections

Series Connections
Parallel Connections
Equipment Damage Only connect power supplies that have identical voltage and
current ratings in parallel. Keysight Models N678xA SMU may be paralleled, but
ONLY when operated in Current Priority mode. Voltage Priority operation is not
allowed.
Connecting power supplies in parallel provides a greater current capability than can be obtained from
a single unit.
The following figures show how to connect two outputs in parallel. The figure on the left illustrates
local sensing. If voltage drop in the load leads is a concern, the figure on the right shows how to
connect the sense leads directly at the load (4-wire sensing).
Once outputs have been connected in parallel, they can be configured or "grouped" to act as a single,
higher-power output. This applies when programming via the front panel or using SCPI commands.
How to group outputs that have been connected in parallel is discussed under Output Groups. The
output grouping function is not available for N678xA SMU power modules.
1. Twist leads
2. 4-wire disabled
(indicator is off)
3. 4-wire enabled
(indicator is on)
Effect on Specifications
Specifications for outputs operating in parallel can be obtained from the specifications for single
outputs. Most specifications are expressed as a constant or as a percentage (or ppm) plus a constant.
For parallel operation, the percentage portion remains unchanged while constant portions or any
Keysight N6705C Operating and Service Guide
2 Installation
65