BK precision 8602 DC electronic load for Solar panel IV curve simulation

Question

Does BK precision 8602 DC electronic load has inbuilt option for IV curve simulation when a solar panel is connected. If there is no such an option, can someone help me towards relevant material/document as a guidance for using the 8602 model for collecting IV curves. I found a review discussion on element14 on using the BK 8602 to plot IV curve using html commands. However, the details are missing to understand the procedure.

shabaz · Answer

Hi Sree,

It is not built-in, it needs programming, but it's staightforward. You can do it easily by sending SCPI commands to set the BK8602BK8602 into 'constant voltage' mode, set a voltage value, and then retrieve the power or current value. Plot it, and then increment the voltage value. You'll end up with your desired curve.

I don't have the entire code I used (I lost it) but I re-wrote the SCPI handling part a while back, it is attached to the review. It implements it in Python. Use the BK8602BK8602 programming guide to see the command to set to constant voltage mode and so on. You might have to edit the code but it's a good start. If you don't wish to write code, something like LabView may be easier I don't know. You still have to 'program' but it will be more graphical.

Use your code to generate (say) a CSV file and then you can plot it, or there are many libraries you can use to directly plot. If you wish to use a library to plot it, it depends on the language. Generally Python and 'matplotlib' is probably easiest for a newcomer, otherwise select the language of your choice. If you want to see a general example of how to plot, let me know I can point you in the right direction.

EDIT: For LabVIEW, if you're a beginner, see some of Jan Cumps blog posts such as this one: PiFace, Raspberry, LabVIEW and LEDs it's probably the most up-to-date information for people looking to use LabVIEW.

shabaz · Answer

Hi Sree, I think it's the one you're referring to in the original question, see here: Programmable DC Electronic Loads with the BK8600 - Review There's a zip file attached there.

BK precision 8602 DC electronic load for Solar panel IV curve simulation

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