Test equipment and power supplies · E361xA family

Agilent E3614A: troubleshooting and error codes

The ServiceForge knowledge base holds 41 documented symptoms for the Agilent E3614A, with 78 ranked causes, 79 diagnostic checks with test points and expected values, and 0 error codes. Each symptom below shows its causes and the first check; the rest is one connection away. Connect ServiceForge to your AI

Symptoms

Low output voltage

Output voltage is lower than expected or cannot reach set value.

Ranked causes

1. Q1 or Q4 open (occasional)
2. Q9 shorted (occasional)
3. Constant current comparator circuit defective (occasional)
4. U9A defective (occasional)
5. U10 and U9D defective or R85 open (occasional)
6. U9B defective (occasional)
7. U9C defective (occasional)

First check

Disconnect Q9 emitter; check output voltage

Test point: Q9 emitter
Expected: Output voltage increases if Q1/Q4 are functional

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Preregulator control circuit troubleshooting

Systematic troubleshooting of preregulator and control circuit for E3614A, E3615A, E3616A, E3617A models.

Ranked causes

1. CR18, CR15, Q7, Q8 defective (E3614A/E3615A) (occasional)
2. CR15, CR18, U2, U21 defective (E3616A) (occasional)
3. U3 defective (occasional)
4. U4 defective (occasional)
5. U5 defective (occasional)
6. U6 defective (occasional)
7. CR10, CR12, Q5, Q6 defective (occasional)

First check

Set output voltage to model-specific value

Test point: Output terminals
Expected: E3614A: 4.5 V ±0.5 V; E3615A: 10 V ±1 V; E3616A: 15 V ±1 V; E3617A: 26 V ±5 V

10 more checks with pass and fail actions, 7 corrective actions, and part numbers are in ServiceForge. Connect ServiceForge to your AI

High ripple on output

Output AC ripple exceeds specification or is visibly noisy

Ranked causes

1. Ground loop in test setup (common)
2. Output not properly grounded (occasional)
3. Supply operating in constant current mode (occasional)
4. Low voltage across filter capacitor or regulator transistor (occasional)
5. Excessive ripple on reference voltages (occasional)

First check

Inspect test setup for ground loops

Test point: Test setup connections
Expected: No ground loops present

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Low or no output voltage

Output voltage is at or near zero, or lower than commanded

Ranked causes

1. Line fuse open (common)
2. Series regulator feedback loop failure (common)
3. Preregulator feedback loop failure (occasional)
4. CR20 shorted (occasional)

First check

Verify input power available and check line fuse

Test point: Rear panel line fuse
Expected: Fuse intact, proper rating for line voltage

4 corrective actions and part numbers are in ServiceForge. Connect ServiceForge to your AI

Poor stability in constant current mode

Output current is unstable or drifts in constant current operation mode.

Ranked causes

1. +10 V reference voltage unstable (common)
2. CR24, CR25, CR29, CR30 leaky (occasional)
3. U9 and U10 defective (occasional)
4. Noisy programming resistor R85 (rare)

First check

Measure +10 V reference voltage

Test point: Reference voltage
Expected: +10 V stable

4 corrective actions and part numbers are in ServiceForge. Connect ServiceForge to your AI

Poor stability in constant voltage mode

Output voltage is unstable or drifts in constant voltage operation mode.

Ranked causes

1. +10 V reference voltage unstable (common)
2. CR27, CR28, CR23, CR26 leaky (occasional)
3. U9 defective (occasional)
4. Noisy programming resistor R83 (rare)

First check

Measure +10 V reference voltage

Test point: Reference voltage
Expected: +10 V stable

4 corrective actions and part numbers are in ServiceForge. Connect ServiceForge to your AI

High output voltage

Output voltage remains high or does not respond to control adjustments.

Ranked causes

1. Q1 or Q4 shorted (occasional)
2. Q9 open (occasional)
3. U9B defective (occasional)

First check

Short Q9 emitter to collector; check output voltage

Test point: Q9 emitter and collector
Expected: Output voltage decreases if Q9 is functional V

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Poor load regulation in constant current mode

Output current does not maintain stability under varying load conditions in constant current operation.

Ranked causes

1. +10 V reference voltage low or unstable (common)
2. CR1, CR19, CR20, C2, C31 leaky (occasional)
3. Supply crossing over to constant voltage operation (common)

First check

Measure +10 V reference voltage

Test point: Reference voltage point
Expected: +10 V

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Calibration: Ammeter and CC set high voltage

Front panel AMPS display reading does not match DVM value divided by Rs, or CC set does not respond correctly

Ranked causes

1. Ammeter display out of calibration (common)
2. CC set circuit out of calibration (common)

First check

Verify AMPS display reads correct value

Test point: Front panel AMPS display
Expected: DVM value divided by Rs
Tools: DVM, test setup Figure A-9

2 corrective actions and part numbers are in ServiceForge. Connect ServiceForge to your AI

Calibration: Voltmeter and OVP set high voltage

Front panel VOLTS display does not match DVM value, or OVP set does not trip at correct voltage

Ranked causes

1. Voltmeter display out of calibration (common)
2. OVP set circuit out of calibration (common)

First check

Measure output voltage on DVM

Test point: Output terminals
Expected: DVM value
Tools: DVM

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Excessive heat generation caution

Power supply generates excessive heat during normal operation.

Ranked causes

1. Preregulator control circuit malfunction (common)
2. CR10, CR12, CR15, CR18 shorted (occasional)

First check

Test CR10, CR12, CR15, CR18 for short circuits

Test point: Diode leads
Expected: No short

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OVP (Overvoltage Protection) circuit shutdown

Overvoltage protection circuit activates, shutting down the supply or limiting output.

Ranked causes

1. OVP Adjust screw not fully clockwise (common)
2. Overvoltage protection circuit defective (occasional)

First check

Verify OVP Adjust screw position

Test point: Front panel OVP Adjust control
Expected: Fully clockwise

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OVP shutdown continues after reset

OVP LED remains lit or shutdown recurs repeatedly after power cycle

Ranked causes

1. Load or sense terminal connections loose or incorrect (common)
2. OVP limit setting incorrect for load (common)

First check

Inspect load and sense terminal connections

Test point: Load and sense terminals at rear panel
Expected: All connections secure, correct polarity, no damage

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Poor line regulation

Output voltage changes more than specified when input line voltage changes

Ranked causes

1. Reference voltage out of specification (common)
2. U9 regulator circuit failure (common)

First check

Measure +10V reference voltage

Test point: Reference voltage output (per Table A-2)
Expected: +10.5 +/- 0.2 Vdc, ripple 2 mV
Tools: DVM

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Poor load regulation in constant voltage mode

Output voltage does not maintain stability under varying load conditions in constant voltage operation.

Ranked causes

1. +10 V reference voltage low or unstable (common)
2. Supply entering current limit operation (common)

First check

Measure +10 V reference voltage

Test point: Reference voltage point
Expected: +10 V

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Poor load voltage regulation when remote sensing used

Output voltage drops more than specified when load resistance or current changes in remote sensing mode

Ranked causes

1. Sense lead resistance exceeds 0.5 ohms per lead (common)
2. Noise picked up on sense leads (occasional)

First check

Measure sense lead resistance

Test point: +S and -S terminals to load
Expected: 0.5 ohms per lead or less
Tools: DMM

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Added external capacitance reduces current limiting protection caution

Externally added output capacitance improves pulse current capability but decreases safety from current limiting circuit, allowing high-current pulses to damage load components before current limit operates.

Ranked causes

1. External capacitance added without considering impact on current limiting (occasional)

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False OVP shutdowns occurring

OVP LED lights unexpectedly, output voltage and current drop to zero during normal operation

Ranked causes

1. OVP shutdown voltage set too close to operating voltage (common)

First check

Verify OVP shutdown voltage setting relative to operating voltage

Test point: OVP Adjust control
Expected: 4% of output voltage +2.0 V or more above operating voltage

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Incorrect line voltage configuration high voltage

Rear panel label and fuse setting do not match the local input line voltage

Ranked causes

1. Supply set for wrong line voltage (common)

First check

Verify rear-panel label matches input line voltage

Test point: Rear panel label
Expected: Label indicates correct line voltage for your location

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Output current line regulation out of spec caution

CC line regulation exceeds 0.01% plus 250 µA when AC input voltage varies ±10% from nominal

Ranked causes

1. AC input voltage not varied through full range (common)

First check

Connect DVM across current monitoring resistor Rs

Test point: across Rs
Expected: DVM across Rs for current measurement
Tools: Digital voltmeter

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Output current load regulation out of spec

CC load regulation exceeds 0.01% plus 250 µA when load changes from short circuit to full load

Ranked causes

1. Electronic load not set to full rated voltage (common)

First check

Connect DVM across current monitoring resistor Rs

Test point: across Rs
Expected: DVM across Rs for current measurement
Tools: Digital voltmeter

4 more checks with pass and fail actions, 1 corrective action, and part numbers are in ServiceForge. Connect ServiceForge to your AI

Output current setting does not change with CURRENT control high voltage

Rotating the CURRENT control fully counter-clockwise and clockwise does not adjust the current control set value

Ranked causes

1. CURRENT control not functioning (unknown)

First check

While pressing OVP/CC SET switch, rotate CURRENT control fully counter-clockwise then clockwise

Test point: AMPS display
Expected: Display changes with control rotation

Output impedance and voltage recovery affected by capacitance

Internal and external output capacitance affects output impedance frequency response, voltage recovery time during load changes, and surge current during rapid load resistance reduction.

Ranked causes

1. Output capacitance design during constant current operation (unknown)

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Output instability or oscillations in remote sensing mode

Output voltage oscillates or exhibits poor transient response when supply configured for remote sensing

Ranked causes

1. Load lead inductance and capacitance forming filter in feedback loop (occasional)

First check

Verify load lead length and routing

Test point: Load leads from +/- output terminals to load
Expected: Leads as short as possible, twisted together

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Output oscillates in constant current mode

Output current exhibits oscillation or instability when operating in constant current mode.

Ranked causes

1. C31 and C33 defective in constant current circuit (common)

First check

Test C31 and C33 for defects

Test point: C31 and C33 capacitors
Expected: Normal operation, no oscillation

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Output oscillates in constant voltage mode

Output voltage exhibits oscillation or instability when operating in constant voltage mode.

Ranked causes

1. C29 and C36 defective in constant voltage circuit (common)

First check

Test C29 and C36 for defects

Test point: C29 and C36 capacitors
Expected: Normal operation, no oscillation

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Output voltage does not change with VOLTAGE control high voltage

Rotating the VOLTAGE control fully counter-clockwise and clockwise does not decrease or increase output voltage to 0 Vdc and maximum respectively

Ranked causes

1. VOLTAGE control not functioning (unknown)

First check

Rotate VOLTAGE control fully counter-clockwise

Test point: VOLTS display
Expected: 0 Vdc

Output voltage drift exceeds 0.1% plus 5 mV over 8 hours

CV drift measurement shows output voltage change exceeding 0.1% plus 5 mV during 8-hour test after 30-minute warmup

Ranked causes

1. Insufficient warmup period or unstable ambient conditions (occasional)

First check

Connect DVM across current monitoring resistor Rs

Test point: across Rs in test setup
Expected: DVM across Rs as in Figure A-4
Tools: Digital voltmeter

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Output voltage line regulation out of spec caution

CV line regulation exceeds 0.01% plus 2 mV when AC input voltage varies ±10% from nominal

Ranked causes

1. AC input voltage not varied through full range (common)

First check

Set AC line to minimum voltage via autotransformer

Test point: AC mains input
Expected: 104 Vac (115V nominal), 90 Vac (100V nominal), or 207 Vac (230V nominal)
Tools: Variable autotransformer, AC voltmeter

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Output voltage load regulation out of spec

CV load regulation exceeds 0.01% plus 2 mV when load changes from open circuit to full load

Ranked causes

1. Electronic load not set to full rated current (common)

First check

Verify output voltage with load at full current

Test point: across load resistor
Expected: 8 V for E3614A, 20 V for E3615A, 35 V for E3616A, 60 V for E3617A
Tools: Digital voltmeter

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Output voltage peak-to-peak ripple exceeds 1 mV

CV PARD peak-to-peak measurement of output noise exceeds 1 mV p-p over 20 Hz to 20 MHz bandwidth

Ranked causes

1. Supply not at full rated output voltage in CV mode (common)

First check

Connect oscilloscope in AC mode to output

Test point: across output terminals
Expected: Oscilloscope AC coupled, bandwidth 20 MHz
Tools: Oscilloscope, AC probe

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Output voltage RMS ripple and noise exceeds 200 µV

CV PARD RMS measurement of output voltage noise exceeds 200 µV rms over 20 Hz to 20 MHz bandwidth

Ranked causes

1. Supply not at full rated output voltage in CV mode (common)

First check

Connect true RMS voltmeter across output

Test point: across output terminals
Expected: RMS voltmeter connected with BW 20 Hz-20 MHz
Tools: True RMS voltmeter, AC coupling

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Output voltage transient response exceeds 50 µsec

CV output voltage takes longer than 50 µsec to settle within 15 mV of baseline after load change

Ranked causes

1. Electronic load not in transient operation mode (common)

First check

Replace oscilloscope for DVM in test setup

Test point: across output
Expected: AC coupled oscilloscope connected to output
Tools: Oscilloscope, AC coupling probe

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Overvoltage shutdown activated caution

OVP LED indicator is illuminated, indicating output has been shut down by overvoltage condition

Ranked causes

1. Overvoltage condition occurred (unknown)

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OVP crowbar SCR damage during battery charging caution

When OVP is inadvertently triggered during battery charging, the crowbar SCR shorts the output and continuously sinks large current from the battery, damaging the supply.

Ranked causes

1. OVP crowbar SCR triggered without series output diode protection during battery charging (occasional)

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OVP shutdown setting is below minimum threshold caution

OVP shutdown voltage setting is not above the minimum required value for the model

Ranked causes

1. OVP shutdown incorrectly set (common)

First check

While pressing OVP/CC SET switch, verify OVP shutdown setting

Test point: VOLTS display (showing OVP setting)
Expected: Above 8.0 Vdc (E3614A), 20.0 Vdc (E3615A), 35.0 Vdc (E3616A), or 60.0 Vdc (E3617A)

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Parallel operation damage from unequal supply turn-on timing caution

In parallel or auto-parallel operation, if one supply is turned on before the other, reverse voltage across the series regulator transistors can cause damage.

Ranked causes

1. Missing series regulator protection diode in parallel operation without simultaneous turn-on (occasional)

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Pulse loading causes unwanted current limit crossover

High peak currents during pulse loading exceed preset current limit, causing automatic crossover from constant-voltage to constant-current operation when not desired.

Ranked causes

1. Preset current limit set to average instead of peak requirement (common)

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Reverse current from active load causes regulation loss and capacitor damage caution

Active load delivers reverse current to supply during portion of operating cycle, causing loss of output regulation and possible damage to output capacitor.

Ranked causes

1. Active load delivers reverse current without dummy load preconditioning (common)

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Reverse voltage from series operation damages supply without protection diode caution

When AC is removed from one supply in series operation, reverse polarity voltage can damage output electrolytic capacitors and series regulator transistors in the unenergized supply.

Ranked causes

1. Missing reverse polarity protection diode across output terminals (occasional)

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Voltage regulation error when remote sensing sense leads open patient safety

Output voltage uncontrolled or excessive when sense lead connection is accidentally disconnected during remote sensing operation

Ranked causes

1. Sense lead connection accidentally opened or disconnected (occasional)

First check

Inspect sense lead connections for security

Test point: +S and -S rear panel terminals
Expected: Connections tight, no movement, no damage to conductors

1 corrective action and part numbers are in ServiceForge. Connect ServiceForge to your AI

Community

0 fixes logged by technicians through their AI, with outcomes, for this model.

ServiceForge knowledge base record. Field-unverified unless technicians confirmed it. A teaching summary of the record, not a service manual. Export 2026-10-14.