New Industry Products

Programmable DC Power for Testing HEV Components, PV Inverters, and More

June 27, 2013 by Jeff Shepard

AMETEK Programmable Power has added to its Sorensen SG Series high-power dc power supply line with the introduction of the new Sorensen SG 500V, which can supply up to 500Vdc for such applications as driving amplifiers, and testing photovoltaic (PV) inverters, batteries and power steering pumps used in electric vehicle/hybrid electric vehicles (EV/HEV). The new 500Vdc model of SG Series power supplies can provide up to 15kW in a 3U package and30kW in a 6U package.

Users also can select from 5kW, 10kW, 20kW, 25kW and 30kW models. The Sorensen SG Series also offers fast voltage and current slew rates, exceptional load transient response, and low RMS ripple and noise. The complete SG Series includes a 3U and 6U package configuration with a variety of output and power configurations that allow the user to purchase just the right performance needed for the job. Combinations of these chassis can then be easily paralleled to achieve power levels up to 150kW.

The Sorensen SG Series leads the industry in power density and is one of the industry’s most widely used dc power supplies in its class with more than 20,000 units in the field. The quality of power supplied by the Sorensen SG Series makes it well suited for a broad range of applications. Along with the testing of EV/HEV components, applications include the driving of amplifiers used in airport and medical MRI/CT scanners; magnet drivers for particle accelerators used at National Laboratories and medical proton treatment systems; and drivers for laser diodes for cutting and etching tools.

All of the models in the SG Series are available with either Sorensen General-purpose Intelligent (SGI) control or Sorensen General-purpose Analog (SGA) control. Units with SGI control combine on-board intelligent controls with the outstanding power electronics common to all SG Series supplies. These controls enable sophisticated sequencing, constant power mode and save/recall of common setups, making the SGI-capable unit ideal for repetitive testing using complex or compliance waveforms. The unit features an eight-language, vacuum fluorescent graphical display, context sensitive “soft” keys, and simplified front panel keyboard programming. Units with SGI control come with a standard RS-232C port. GPIB/IEEE 488.2 and LXI Ethernet ports are optional features.

Units with SGA control are designed for users who require simple front panel analog controls or external control. They have the same high- performance power electronics as the SGI and provide essential features such as 10-turn potentiometers for setting voltage and current, and 3½ digit LED readout with front panel over-voltage protection (OVP) preview/adjustment and reset. Units with SGA control come standard with remote analog control. They can be fitted with an RS-232C port, a GPIB/IEEE 488.2, and an LXI Ethernet port as optional features. A popular and unique SG Series option is a factory-installed dust filter. Other options include a low-cost ANSI/NCSL Z540-1 Certificate of Calibration (CoC).