Quick answer: Remote SENSE uses separate feedback leads to regulate voltage near the DUT. It compensates power-lead drop only within the instrument’s documented limits; it does not remove cable heating or guarantee perfect transient regulation.
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What lead resistance changes
With local sensing, the supply regulates near its output terminals. Current through both force leads and their connections creates a load-side drop. Measure total loop resistance or compare source and DUT voltages under load rather than assigning a cable resistance from its gauge alone.
Illustrative 60A calculation
Example assumptions: load current 60A, total force-loop resistance 5mΩ and a 3.30V terminal setpoint. The calculated drop is 60A × 0.005Ω = 0.30V, leaving 3.00V at the DUT. The drop is about 9.1% of 3.30V. These numbers are an engineering illustration, not a customer measurement.
If a compatible remote-sense loop regulates 3.30V at the DUT under the same steady-state conditions, the supply terminals would need about 3.60V. This requires sufficient voltage headroom and allowed compensation range. Cable heating remains I²R = 60² × 0.005 = 18W in this example; feedback compensation does not remove that loss.
What Remote SENSE can and cannot do
Separate high-impedance sense leads provide load-side voltage feedback while the force leads carry output current. Feedback can reduce steady-state cable-drop error within the specified compensation range. Final accuracy still depends on the supply, connections and measurement method. Dynamic rail behaviour also depends on bandwidth, cable inductance, load changes and permitted local decoupling.
A model-specific wiring checklist
- Disable output and follow the manual’s discharge and isolation procedure.
- Identify force, sense and local-sense jumper terminals from the exact model documentation.
- Follow that manual’s jumper removal and remote-sense enable sequence; there is no universal front-panel key combination.
- Connect S+ and S− to the intended positive and negative DUT measurement points. Size and route force leads for the load and sense wiring as instructed.
- Verify polarity, output limits and voltage at the DUT with a suitable meter before full-load operation.
Open or reversed sense leads
Open/reversed-sense behaviour varies by model. Do not assume automatic shutdown, a specific response time or a universal safe fallback. Check the operating manual and use only its permitted verification procedure. Do not disconnect feedback leads under power as a generic test.
Evaluate the eTM-30200C configuration
The eTM-30200C product data lists 0–30V, 0–200A and 6000W. For a SENSE-equipped test setup, confirm the ordered option, compensation limits, supported communication and wiring instructions. A voltage/current rating alone does not verify transient recovery, sub-millivolt accuracy or open-sense protection.
Practical checks
| Check | What to verify |
|---|---|
| Connections | Identify force and sense terminals from the exact manual. |
| Configuration | Follow model-specific jumper and enable instructions. |
| Range | Keep total compensation and terminal voltage within ratings. |
| Validation | Verify polarity, DUT voltage and response before full-load operation. |
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