Output Load Subcircuits

The DVM output load subcircuits merge two functions into one subcircuit:

  • The loading of the power supply under test, whether that be a DC or a transient load.
  • The injection source and probe for the AC analysis if the test objective is either Impedance or Bode Plot.

The output load symbols have 2, 3, or 4 pins, and all subcircuit types, except the Bode Plot load, are available for each symbol. The Bode Plot Load requires at least three pins and is, therefore, available in 3-pin and 4-pin versions. The 4-pin versions of these loads allow you to break the control loop at any location; that is, the AC injection source and associated probe are galvanically isolated from the actual load terminals.

In this topic:

Managed Loads

DVM has this concept of a "Managed Load." Quite simply, a managed load is one for which DVM has specification information. In this context, specification information includes:

  • The nominal output voltage for the load
  • The allowed percent tolerance of the output load voltage
  • The maximum, or full load, current for the load

These specifications are entered on the Output page of a Full Power Assist control symbol, You can have up to five managed loads. By including the specification information for the load on the schematic under test, you can use the built-in testplans which have the output load current normalized to the 100% full load current.

For more information on managed loads, see the following topics:

Listed below are the three types of output load subcircuits are available in DVM:

Steady-State Loads

AC Loads

Single Event Transient Loads

Periodic Transient Loads