Running a DCIR Parallel Electronic Loads Test

To determine the DC internal resistance (DCIR) of a DUT with a high load current requirement using multiple electronic loads, run a test using the DCIR Parallel Eloads Test.vi.

An electronic load has a maximum current support of 40 A. Larger currents require that you run two or more electronic loads in parallel.

Equipment

  • Multiple PXIe-4051 modules

To perform a DCIR parallel electronic loads test, place all electronic loads in the same chassis. In this test, one electronic load acts as a leader. The other electronic loads act as followers.

You must physically and externally connect each electronic load terminal (HI and LO) together in parallel. Then you must connect the remote voltage sense terminals (HI S and LO S) of the leader electronic load to the DUT. You must also connect the terminals (HI and LO) of the DUT to the leader electronic load. The DCIR Parallel Eloads Test.vi measures the DUT voltage from the leader electronic load terminals.
Note In a parallel configuration, a DUT can connect to any electronic load. However, NI recommends connecting your DUT to the terminals of the leader to reduce noise during measurement.
  1. Use the NI Example Finder to open DCIR Parallel Eloads Test.vi.
    1. In the LabVIEW window, select Help » Find Examples.
      The NI Example Finder window loads.
    2. Select Toolkits and Modules » Battery Cell Quality » DCIR Parallel Eloads Test.vi.
      The front panel of the VI loads.
  2. On the front panel of the VI, set the Channel List to the number of present electronic loads.
  3. Set the first Resource Name control to the leader electronic load.
    You must only set one electronic load as the leader.
  4. Set the other Resource Name controls to the follower electronic loads.
  5. Optional: To perform an automatic self-calibration, enable Self-Calibration?
    Note Before allowing a DUT self-calibration, NI recommends disconnecting all electronic loads. Self-calibrating a connected DUT may damage your equipment or lead to inaccurate data.
    1. Set Temperature Delta to trigger self-calibration at a specified temperature differential value.
    2. Set Days to Calibration to trigger self-calibration after a specified number of days since the last calibration.
    3. View the Device Ran Self Calibration? array to determine if each electronic load ran a self-calibration.
  6. Enter the DCIR Test Parameters.
    1. Set the Maximum Load Current (A) for the test.
    2. Set the Power Line Frequency (Hz) for the test environment.
  7. Click Run.
After running the VI, view DC Resistance (Ohms) for the measurement result.