PPK 2 average current measurement ~75 mA on ble_app_pwr_profiling

I am trying to measure the current consumption on nRF52832 PCA 10040 2.0.0 with PPK 2 (PCA 63100 1.0.1).

I have cut the SB9 and connect the PPK as the picture:

as shown in the PPK 2 User Guide. 


I use Ampere Mode and enable Power Output, in Power Profiler App in nRF Connect.

But the average current consumption is very high ~75 mA

Also, I tried to measure the ble_app_pwr_profiling (wrote the hex to the DK from nRF Connect Programmer) and still the consumption is ~75 mA.

What am I doing wrong? 

I know there is nothing wrong on the DK, since if I use it with debugger and it works fine. 


After reading this  Current measurement guide: Measuring current with PCA10040 v0.9.0  carefully I understand that I am not supposed to have USB cable connected to the DK.
I removed it, and connected the coin cell battery to the DK. The current is ~18 mA but it looks like the DK doesn't turn on at all. 

I am thinking about powering the DK with another battery and connect it to the P21. 

Is it true that I shouldn't connect the USB and this was responsible for the high current? 
Why DK doesn't power on with the coin cell battery?

Any help will be much appreciated.

  • HI Dimitra,

    Connecting the device as shown in the user guide should work just fine. 

    as shown in the PPK 2 User Guide.

    75mA in indeed way too high.. Could you maybe show a picture of your setup.?

    Regards,

    Swathy

  • Yes sure! 

    First, SB9 is cut and SB12 is soldered. 
    I connect a jumper in P22 to connect USB, and program the DK. Using the hex file of the ble_app_pwr_profiling and nRF Connect Programmer, I write the code in the device. (The coin cell battery is not inserted). 

    I disconnect the jumper, and connect the PPK2. 

    Vout and Vin of PPK to P22 and GND to External Supply - . 

    I turn both devices on, and here is a screenshot from nRF Connect Power Profiler App:

    and after I press button 1 for advertising:

    If I don't use the USB and connect the coin cell battery, the setup is:

    and the result in power profiler:

     the LED on the DK doesn't turn on, so the device is not powered on. 

    Please help me if you have any suggestion, because I have no ideas left for what I might be doing wrong, or what has gone wrong in total.. 

    Regards, 

    Dimitra

  • I did the same connections with another DK and the consumption is closer to the expected. Turns out that probably there is something wrong with the specific DK.

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