Download ENG460 ENGINEERING THESIS FINAL REPORT

3.3.2 - Temperature Test
Similar to most electronic equipment, the performance of the simulator might have the
tendency to degrade in higher operating temperatures. Therefore, it was paramount that the
curves produced were observed over different temperatures. It was suggested by Andrew that
the heating system in the lab be utilised to increase the ambient temperature.
As the highest temperature that the heater could attain was 30 degrees, the test was
structured for measurements to be taken 3 times with intervals of 30 minutes. Two
thermocouple wires included with the IV curve tracer were used to measure the ambient
temperature. The three ambient temperatures recorded were 23.8 degrees, 26.8 degrees, 28.4
degrees.
It could be seen again that although the temperature varied by approximately 5 degrees from
the first and last test, the IV curve output from the simulator was not affected. Figure 22
shows Curve 4 over the three temperatures. It can be derived from the test that the superior
stability of the simulator allows the output to be unaffected even when temperature condition
changes.
Figure 22 - Temperature Test for Curve 4
41