PPK 2 for greater than 5V source and tests scenarios when used as source

Hi I am trying to use the PPK 2 to measure current draw from 9V battery for a DUT. I am able to use the PPK2 in source mode. However I will like to set it up in Ampere meter mode so I can account for the discharge characteristics of the battery over time. There is a similar case from more than 2 years ago when one response suggested use of a Buck converter or LDO between the 9V battery and the PPK 2 which would provide the necessary 5V required by the PPk2 and then account for the power consumed by the Buck Converter. However that response was not marked as answering the question and I am not sure if the case was closed.  How would you account for the power/current consumed by the regulator?

I also did some initial tests using the PPK 2 in source mode to try to understand how different setups would potentially affect current draw in my circuit. Its a simple circuit for driving an LED

Below is a snap shot of three different configurations I tested.

In each of them I got a different average current reading from  PPK 2 as shown below. 

I was expecting Test circuit 1 to draw the least and test circuit 3 to draw the most accounting for losses in the diodes used for reverse polarity protection but its rather the opposite and I am not sure why. Any explanation will be be helpful

Thanks

Parents Reply
  • Hi Kenneth. Thank you for the response. The current out of the LED driver is supposed to be determined by an external resistor connected between 2 pins on the Driver. I used a value that per the data sheet should be close to 30mA which is close to  the If of the LED.  see snap shot below

    My Vout is within the 1.4 to 5.4V range so I should be getting the about the same current per the graph above. 

    Also any ideas on the first part of my question in relation to using the PPK 2 with voltages above 5V?

    Thank you

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