Power Profiler Kit 2 with nRF52 DK different value for ampere and source mode.

[Dominic Wunderlin]

I do measure different values for source and ampere mode. On the nRF52 DK.

Source Mode: disconnect SB9, Power Switch is off. Vout from PPK2 connected to nRF current measurement pin1. Power mode enabled. supply voltage at 3V from PPK2.

Ampere Mode: disconnect SB9, Power Switch is on. Vout from PPK2 connected to nRF current measurement pin1 and Vin from PPK2 connected to nRF current measurement pin2. Power output enabled. nRF DK connected with 


For source mode I measure like 700 uA and for ampere mode I measure 6 uA. Is there something wrong in my setup? Because both measurment method should display the same.

[Hung Bui]

Hi Dominic, 
Could you let me know which firmware you had on the board ? 
Which SDK are you using ? 

There shouldn't be a significant difference between the source mode and the ampere mode. So I think there must be something wrong. 

My suggestion is to capture the power consumption of a BLE application, and send us the traces. We are more familiar with the BLE activities and can tell if there is anything wrong. 

[PaKa]

In Source Mode you are powering the rest of the DK as well as the nRF52832. Use the setups described in the DK user guide and you should be good.

[Dominic Wunderlin]

As far as my understanding goes, I cut the SB9 connection and connected Vout of PPK 2 direct to VnRF on the DK so I am not supplying any other thing there, the Power Switch is also in off position so nothing connected. I only supply VnRF with the PPK 2.

[PaKa]

That wil cause leakage to other parts of the board as pins are connected from the SoC to other parts on the board. Check the schematics if you want to see for yourself but it is the case.

[Dominic Wunderlin]

So far I found now the schematic to it. To have no leakage I have to connect the usb and turn on the DK Board is that right?

[PaKa]

That is one option and there are others but these options are covered in the DK user guide.I personally always power the kits as it is the easiest way and you retain all features like LED, buttons+++

The HW files for all the kits are on the nordicsemi.com website on the page for the kit in question.