Test equipment and power supplies

Agilent Power Supply: troubleshooting and error codes

The ServiceForge knowledge base holds 9 documented symptoms for the Agilent Power Supply, with 12 ranked causes, 17 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

Current overshoots above current limit setting

Transient current spikes exceed the programmed current limit during load changes or mode transitions

Ranked causes

1. Finite slew rate in CV to CC mode transition (common)
2. Output capacitor supplies current during load transients (common)
3. Hot-switching DUT onto energized output (occasional)
4. Turning on output with sensitive load connected (occasional)

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

Calibration: Set line voltage for E3614A, E3615A, E3616A, E3617A, E3620A, E3630A high voltage

Change power-line voltage setting using internal selection switch on PC board

Ranked causes

1. Line voltage setting requires adjustment via internal switch (unknown)

First check

Verify unit is unplugged

Test point: Power cord
Expected: Power cord disconnected from mains

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

Calibration: Set line voltage for E3631A, E3632A high voltage

Change power-line voltage setting using external selector on rear panel module

Ranked causes

1. Line voltage setting requires adjustment via rear panel module (unknown)

First check

Verify unit is unplugged

Test point: Power cord
Expected: Power cord disconnected from mains

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

Calibration: Set line voltage for E364x high voltage

Change power-line voltage setting using internal selection switch on PC board

Ranked causes

1. Line voltage setting requires adjustment via internal switch (unknown)

First check

Verify unit is unplugged

Test point: Power cord
Expected: Power cord disconnected from mains

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

Electronic load damaged by series operation caution

Load operated in series configuration to increase voltage, resulting in voltage exceeding maximum rating and causing damage

Ranked causes

1. Electronic loads operated in series for increased voltage (common)

First check

Verify electronic load connection configuration

Test point: Load terminals
Expected: Parallel configuration for multiple loads

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

Output OFF state reads zero volts and current

When output is turned OFF, voltage and current readings are zero within programming accuracy specification

Ranked causes

1. Firmware revision greater than 1.4 (common)

First check

Check firmware revision using *IDN? command

Test point: SCPI interface
Expected: Firmware revision number (format: 1.1-X.X-X.X)

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

Output OFF state shows non-zero voltage or current

When output is turned OFF, voltage readings show less than 0.6 V of opposite polarity with no load, or current shows less than 60 mA of opposite direction with a short circuit

Ranked causes

1. Firmware revision 1.4 or earlier (common)

First check

Check firmware revision using *IDN? command

Test point: SCPI interface
Expected: Firmware revision number (format: 1.1-X.X-X.X)

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

Slave supplies not sharing current at low output in auto-parallel mode

When operating 668xA supplies in auto-parallel configuration at low output currents, slave supplies sink current instead of sharing load current with master

Ranked causes

1. Deliberate external programming offset in 668xA design (common)

First check

Verify slave output current setting

Test point: Slave supply front panel or GPIB
Expected: Zero output current

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

Unit does not produce full power from 3-phase line

Power product unable to deliver rated power when operated from 208 Vac 3-phase line, particularly when line voltage is at low end of tolerance

Ranked causes

1. Input voltage below minimum acceptable threshold (common)

First check

Measure input voltage from 3-phase line

Test point: Rear panel line-to-line connection
Expected: 191 - 250 Vac, -10% to +12% nominal
Tools: DMM or voltmeter

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.