The HP/Agilent 6825A is a dual-mode power instrument combining stable DC sourcing with precision power amplification. It delivers adjustable voltage and current outputs across two selectable ranges, with CV/CC operation and current sink capability. The unit floats up to 300 V above ground, enabling flexible circuit integration in complex test environments. Its low-noise DC performance and wide-bandwidth signal amplification make it suitable for component characterization, circuit validation, and transient response analysis.
Technical Specifications
DC Output
• Voltage: X1 Range -5 V to +5 V; X4 Range -20 V to +20 V
• Current: 0 to 2.0 A (source); sink compliance 2 A @ 0 V declining linearly to 1 A @ 20 V
• Output Isolation: Floats to 300 V above ground
Load and Line Regulation
• Load Effect (Voltage, X1): 0.01% + 0.1 mV
• Load Effect (Voltage, X4): 0.01% + 5 mV
• Load Effect (Current): 0.01% + 250 µA
• Line Effect (Voltage, X1/X4): 0.01% + 2 mV for 104–127 Vac / 208–254 Vac input
• Line Effect (Current): 0.01% + 250 µA
Noise and Stability
• PARD (X1): 1.5 mV rms / 4 mV peak-to-peak (voltage); 3 mA rms / 10 mA peak-to-peak (current)
• PARD (X4): 5 mV rms / 15 mV peak-to-peak (voltage); 3 mA rms / 10 mA peak-to-peak (current)
• Temperature Coefficient (post 30-min warm-up): 0.01% + 0.35 mV/°C (X1 voltage); 0.01% + 1.5 mV/°C (X4 voltage); 0.02% + 100 µA/°C (current)
Power Amplifier
• Frequency Response: DC to 40 kHz (fixed gain); DC to 15 kHz (variable gain)
• Voltage Gain (Fixed): 1×, 4×, 10×
• Voltage Gain (Variable): 0–2×, 0–8×, 0–2×, 0–20×
• SNR: ~80 dB at full output
• THD: 0.1% maximum @ 100 Hz, full output
• Transient Recovery: 100 µs to within 20 mV of nominal voltage
• Remote Programming Speed: 50 µs (1% to 99% voltage swing)
Metering
• DC Accuracy: ±3% of full scale (voltage/current)
• AC Accuracy: ±5% of full scale (sinusoidal, 100 Hz)
• DC Ranges: ±12.4 V, ±24 V / 2.0 A, ±2.4 A
• AC Ranges: 1.6 V (uncal), 16 V rms / 0.16 A rms, 1.6 A rms
Remote Programming Methods
• Resistance, voltage, or current control
– Key Features
• Dual-range voltage selection for precision low-level and higher-voltage work
• Current sourcing and sinking in single unit
• Sub-100 µs transient response for dynamic load testing
• Individual analog meters with selectable ranges
• Remote programmable via three independent control methods
– Typical Applications
• Component and circuit functional testing
• Power converter evaluation and characterization
• Load regulation and transient response measurement
• Amplifier gain and distortion analysis
• Floating-output circuit biasing and signal injection
