AC power sources deliver up to 1500VA

The 9801 programmable AC power source offering from B&K Precision has been extended with the addition of two new high power AC sources, models 9803 and 9805. The new models can deliver up to 750 VA and 1500 VA respectively, and also measure AC voltage, current, and power parameters. Both sources can operate in a 0-300 V continuous sweep range or 150 V/300 V auto-switching range with adjustable start and stop phase angle control.

Like the 9801, the new models provide built-in PLD (power line disturbance) simulator, list, sweep, and dimmer mode, making the units suitable for simulating various AC power conditions for production, R&D, and pre-compliance testing applications.

When selecting an AC source, it is important to consider the input current demands of the device under test. Devices such as motors may require high inrush current that exceeds its nominal operating current multiple times just to start up. Therefore, programmable AC sources with high peak instantaneous current capabilities are necessary to be able to test these devices. With a crest factor of 4, the 9803 and 9805 meets this requirement.

The 9803 and 9805 feature low distortion, single-phase AC outputs with programmable RMS voltage up to 300 V, maximum RMS current up to 12 A, and adjustable frequency from 45 Hz to 500 Hz. These AC sources are capable of delivering up to 24 A or 48 A peak current.

Provided on the front panel are two universal AC output sockets and an easy-to-use rotary knob to set AC waveform parameters. Similar to the 9801, the bright VFD display continuously monitors the output voltage, current, frequency, power factor, elapsed output time, and apparent/true power.

The rear also includes an additional AC output terminal block for wire connection and a BNC connector for output On/Off control and monitoring, external triggering, and synchronisation. The new models continue to offer standard RS232, USBTMC-compliant USB, and LAN along with an additional GPIB interface for remote control and programming.

Built-in simulation functions include list mode with PLD simulator, sweep, and phase-cut dimming output. The simulation modes allow users to program varying steps of voltage, frequency, width, slope, and disturbances, sweep the output voltage and frequency, and control the phase cut-off of the AC sine wave’s leading or trailing edge. For pre-compliance testing, voltage fluctuations and frequency simulations can be set up according to IEC61000-4-11, IEC61000-4-14, and IEC61000-4-28.

Furthermore, the 9803 and 9805 provide several protection features: overvoltage (OVP), overcurrent (OCP), overpower (OPP), and overtemperature (OTP) protection, settable voltage and frequency limits, key lock function, and RMS/peak current protection settings to shut off the output when a load exceeds the set current.