Interpretation for a safety warning in the Rigol DP932A user manual

[pstephens]

Hi--I'm new to the forum and easing into electronics as a hobby.

I now have a Rigol DP932A bench power supply and it has a curious warning in the safety instructions:

Do not use this instrument to provide power for the active load.

The backflow current may cause the power control loop to be out of control,
which could further damage the devices that receives the power supply from this
instrument. Therefore, this instrument is only allowed to provide power for the
pure load that does not have the current output function.

These words do not mean much to me. What's the difference between an active load and a pure load in this context? And what is the statement warning against?

https://beyondmeasure.rigoltech.com/acton/attachment/1579/f-8bcd4294-be35-42c8-beda-dc121d720dca/1/-/-/-/-/DP900_UserGuide_en.pdf

[tautech]

What's the difference between an active load and a pure load in this context?

Welcome to the forum.

An active load is one that could send a voltage back into the PSU vs a resistive load
Examples are
Solenoids
Regen motors.

And what is the statement warning against?

Back EMF/reverse voltage.

[Someone]

These words do not mean much to me. What's the difference between an active load and a pure load in this context?

An alternative phrasing is that the supply is "single quadrant" and using it outside that mode can cause catastrophic damage.
https://edadocs.software.keysight.com/kkbopen/what-is-a-bipolar-four-quadrant-power-supply-583425137.html

[RoGeorge]

Also beware when charging batteries.  Always use a series diode (for DP832 it is specified in the manuals) and a fuse.

For example when charging a car battery, at a mains power surge, or at an accidental reset, or if the power supply become defective, then your battery will become the source and may damage the power supply.  And if the battery is big enough, a short circuit in the power supply can easily start a fire.