Programmable power supplies use one or more ranges for voltage and current input, as well as one or more ranges for voltage and current measurement.

Use the highest resolution (smallest) range possible for a particular application to get maximum input and measurement accuracy. Refer to the PXIe-4150 Specifications for more information about what ranges are available for a particular channel on your device.

Note The measurement range is implicitly selected based on the configured output range. Thus, you cannot change the measurement range independently of the output range. The selected measurement range is large enough to measure any voltage or current within the configured output range.

Ranges are typically described as the maximum possible value from zero that the range can output or measure (not including the overrange). For example, in the 20 mA current level range, the current level can be configured up to 20 mA.

  • When niDCPower Configure Output Function is set to DC Voltage, the voltage level range and current limit range are in use.
  • When niDCPower Configure Output Function is set to DC Current, the current level range and voltage limit range are in use.

Overranging

If niDCPower Overranging Enabled is set to TRUE, the valid values for the programmed output (voltage level, voltage limit, current level, and current limit) may be extended beyond their normal operating range on channels that support this feature.

Enabling overranging for a particular channel extends voltage and current output capabilities from 100% to 105% for the output range. Overranging is applicable to output ranges only and does not apply to measurement ranges. Measurements in any given range may be made up to 105% of the range by default without enabling overranging.