Compact bidirectional and regenerative power supplies simplify testing

Intepro Systems has launched its PSB series of programmable digital power supplies/loads. The series microprocessor controlled bi-directional supplies that offers two devices in one: an auto-ranging DC power supply and an electronic DC load with energy recovery. The bi-directional package replaces separate programmable sources and loads, and the regenerative load yields up to 95% of test energy to the grid.

The series allows two-quadrant operation in an efficient, single, and easy-to-use instrument removing the requirement for two topologies. Incorporating the features of a programmable source and regenerative programmable load into one chassis releases rack space, lowers weight and cost, and decreases generated heat while retrieving load energy back to the grid.

The company's power supplies are offered with outputs of 15KW in a 3U x 19” rack chassis (PSB 9000) and 30KW in 4U (PSB 1000), and they can be connected in parallel for operation up to 2MW. The auto-ranging bidirectional output stage sustains full power over a broad output range while bidirectional operation delivers seamless transitions between source and sink modes.

The unique ability of the series is the capacity to be programmed to seamlessly switch between source and sink with no 'off' time. When functioning as the load, the device synchronises with its three-phase power input to recover upwards of 95% of the energy. When operating as a source, the unit provides an efficiency of up to 93%, producing less heat in both modes. This delivers further energy savings by decreasing the cooling costs in the test environment.

The PSB series provide a wide range three-phase input voltage from 342-528V, 45-66Hz, with output voltage ratings of 60V–2,000V and current ratings from 40A-1000A. The devices incorporate a broad range of programmable functions to simulate complex testing such as electric vehicle load profiles, battery charging, PV simulation per EN 50530 and MPP tracking and others.