4.8. Remote Sense Connection

Remote sensing can improve regulation at a remote reference point. For example, appreciable voltage drop can occur in the wire between the power supply and load as the current increases. By default, the load operates in local sense, where feedback is internally connected to the load’s input terminals. However, the load can also operate in remote sense, and compensate for wire voltage drop by connecting its high-impedance sense wires to the power source terminals. When the remote sense setting is enabled the feedback measurements are taken from the remote sense leads.

The remote sense setting is accessible from either the front panel configuration or by computer command. Magna-Power recommends using 20 AWG wires with the remote sense screw terminals. Connect the Accessory’s positive remote sense lead to the positive of the DC source terminals. Connect the Accessory’s negative remote sense lead to the negative terminal of the DC source.

Caution

Always ensure that the positive remote sense lead corresponds to the positive DC bus and, likewise, the negative remote sense lead corresponds to the negative DC bus. Connecting sense wires with an incorrect polarity can result in equipment damage.

The Accessory remote sense implements Smart Sense Detection, which shuts down and protects the product in the event that sense leads are disconnected while live or when the user leaves leads disconnected on start. Remote sense moves the feedback point external to the product. A floating sense connection creates a dangerous open-loop condition.

The Accessory protects itself by monitoring both remote and local sense points continuously. When remote sense is enabled, the load will automatically switch from local sense to remote sense. The load stays in remote sense mode as long as the voltage difference between remote and local sense measurements is within ±5% of the Accessory’s rated voltage. When the load fails to achieve these operating condition, it enters into a soft fault and displays a remote sense loss message on the front display.