Power Supplies
13 subcategories
Programmable DC power supplies and test sources deliver regulated, highly controlled electrical power to a Device Under Test (DUT). This product category spans single-output bench units, high-power system supplies delivering up to several kilowatts, and modular configurations with multiple independent channels. Selecting the correct model requires balancing total power capacity, channel isolation, voltage and current envelopes, programming resolution, and remote interfaces. Whether you require a standard laboratory supply, a high-density system rackmount, or a precise source measure unit, evaluating these core electrical parameters ensures compatibility with automated test equipment (ATE) and manual testing procedures.
- Power Sourcing Limit
- Up to 6600 W
- Modular Mainframe Density
- Up to 4 slots in a 1U chassis
- Source Measure Quadrants
- 4-quadrant operation (source and sink)
- Standard Interfaces
- GPIB, LAN, USB, and RS-232 (model dependent)
Subcategories
Single and Multi-Channel Topologies
Power supplies are designed in either fixed single-output or modular multi-output topologies. Single-output units maximize power density. For example, some configurations provide high-capacity power within a compact rack footprint, such as the Lambda (TDK-Lamda) Genesys (TM) 1500W or the Keysight Technologies (Agilent HP) N5700 Series - 750W.
When multiple isolated voltage rails are required, system designers can choose between dedicated multi-output instruments or modular mainframe architectures. The Keysight Technologies (Agilent HP) 6620 Series - 25-105W provides up to 4 outputs per unit. Alternatively, the modular Keysight Technologies (Agilent HP) N6700 Series - Mainframes and Systems holds up to 4 plug-in modules in a 1U chassis, allowing users to combine basic modules, such as the Keysight Technologies (Agilent HP) N6730 Series - 50W Modules or Keysight Technologies (Agilent HP) N6740 Series - 100W Modules, with high-performance modules like the Keysight Technologies (Agilent HP) N6750 Series - 50W, 100W, 300W Modules in the same system.
Electrical Characteristics and Sourcing Range
Sourcing requirements dictate the voltage, current, and regulation limits of the supply. Instruments generally operate in Constant Voltage (CV) or Constant Current (CC) modes with automatic crossover. Autoranging power supplies, such as the Keysight Technologies (Agilent HP) 6032A, maintain their maximum rated output power across a continuous operating envelope, supplying up to 1000 W at various voltage and current combinations within 60 V and 50 A limits. Non-autoranging units deliver maximum power only at their peak voltage and current limits.
Precision automated applications require high programming accuracy and low output ripple. High-accuracy modules, like the Keysight Technologies (Agilent HP) N6760 Series - 50W, 100W Modules, achieve voltage programming accuracy down to 0.016% + 6 mV. For high-power burn-in and system testing, instruments like the Keysight Technologies (Agilent HP) 6680 Series - 5000W and the Keysight Technologies (Agilent HP) 6690 Series - 6600W extend sourcing capacities to handle heavy industrial and commercial loads.
Analog Programming and Digital System Integration
Integration into Automated Test Equipment (ATE) software environments requires reliable interface options. Many modern programmable supplies support standard SCPI commands via digital buses like GPIB, LAN, and USB. However, certain legacy or specialized environments utilize analog control interfaces.
The Keysight Technologies (Agilent HP) 6570 Series - 2000W focuses strictly on analog programming control, omitting standard digital interfaces. Other units, like the Lambda (TDK-Lamda) Genesys (TM) 1500W, offer standard RS-232 and RS-485 interfaces with options for isolated analog programming, allowing user-selectable 0-5 V or 0-10 V signals to control and monitor output levels directly.
Specialized Sourcing Instruments and Electronic Loads
Standard power supplies only source power in a single quadrant (positive voltage and current). When testing battery systems, power conversion stages, or semiconductor devices, specialized instruments like Source Measure Units (SMUs) and electronic loads become necessary.
SMUs, such as the Keithley 2400 and Keithley 2450, function as four-quadrant instruments that can both source and sink up to 20 W of DC power while simultaneously measuring voltage and current. For high-voltage device characterization, the Keithley 237 provides sourcing capabilities up to 1100 V. Sinking applications can also utilize dedicated modular electronic load mainframes like the Keysight Technologies (Agilent HP) N3300A, which accommodates load modules such as the 150 W Keysight Technologies (Agilent HP) N3302A or the 600 W Keysight Technologies (Agilent HP) N3306A.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the difference between autoranging and discrete-range power supplies?
- An autoranging power supply, such as the Keysight Technologies (Agilent HP) 6032A, can deliver its maximum rated power across a continuous envelope of voltage and current combinations. In contrast, discrete dual-range power supplies, like the Keysight Technologies (Agilent HP) E3632A, require selecting specific operating ranges (e.g., 0-15 V / 7 A or 0-30 V / 4 A) to utilize their maximum capacity.
- How can multiple DC power supplies be combined to increase output capacity?
- Many DC power supplies support series and parallel configurations. Connecting identical units in series increases the total output voltage, while parallel connections increase the output current. For example, the Keysight Technologies (Agilent HP) N5700 Series - 750W allows series operation of up to 2 identical units and parallel operation of up to 4 identical units.