Digital Multimeters (DMMs) and Precision DC Sources

cancel
Showing results for 
Search instead for 
Did you mean: 

Generating single channel source of +10 V to -10 V

I would like to control a simple actuator which requires positive voltage for motion in one direction and negative voltage for motion in the opposite direction. The system employs a PXI-1033 chassis with a PXI-4110 power supply module. In order to provide the ability to control the actuator using positive or negative voltage, I was hoping to cascade the 0 to +20 V and 0 to -20 V channels. However, this has proven to be more difficult than I imagined probably due to the interaction of the two power supply channels. Is it possible to configure the PXI-4110 so that I may provide a single channel with a voltage range of -10 V to +10 V (or any range extending from negative to positive?). The solution I hope may be possible is to use a constant -10 V supply in series with the 0 to +20 V channel so that I may use the latter to provide -10 V to +10 V (controlled from LabView).
0 Kudos
Message 1 of 5
(6,982 Views)

Hell bklynch,

 

 Stacking PXI 4110 Channels for Higher Voltage Range DeveloperZone article has the an example code and front panel terminal connections to assist in your application. You can probably streamline the code by removing the aux channel.


Regards,
Glenn
0 Kudos
Message 2 of 5
(6,972 Views)
Hello again,

Hit the post too early...

It is not possible to use a single channel to achieve the mentioned voltage range. To do this, you will have to do as you described by cascading channels the 0 to +20 V and 0 to -20V channels together. As described in the above developer zone, you would set each channel individually. You can set ch1 and ch2 with voltage ranges +10, -10 respectively and get your desired range.

Let me know if the article or my post doesn't clarify your issue. 

Regards,
Glenn
0 Kudos
Message 3 of 5
(6,962 Views)

Thanks for the replies Glenn! I've been looking into the option of cascading the two outputs but unfortunately that still does not provide the necessary range. Cascading the outputs only allows you to increase the overall potential difference (ie. +20 to -20 = +40), however the polarity remains positive at all times. If I could place a constant -10 V voltage source in series with the 0 to +20 V channel then I believe it would work, but this just results in interference between the two channels when using the programmable power supply.

 

It looks like the only solution will be a custom circuit using transistors to switch the polarity or flip between the two power supply channels -- although I have not given up on some kind of solution similar to cascading! Thanks again, your feedback is most welcome!

 

Brian

0 Kudos
Message 4 of 5
(6,957 Views)

Hello Brian,

I've reread the first and most recent post and I think I've come to an understanding to what you have suggested and need to do in your application. Please correct me if I have misunderstood.

You mentioned that you were thinking of supplying a -10V in series of one of the channels to achieve the desired range. This is definitely feasible with the isolated outputs that the PXI-4110. You can bias the floating ground by providing -10V from an external power supply, per below image.

Untitled.png

If I understand correctly, this is may not be what you want to do. It sounds like you want to maintain a two lead connection to your DUT in which case the 4130 and 4132 which are the four-quadrant bipolar power source measure units would be better suited. 

Can you provide more information about the application in which I case I can provide further suggestions.


Regards,
Glenn
0 Kudos
Message 5 of 5
(6,922 Views)