The Magna-Power SL50-160 is an SL series programmable DC power supply with the following characteristics:

• Output power: 8kW
• Maximum voltage: 50Vdc
• Maximum current: 160Adc

The SL Series builds on over 40 years of power supply innovation at Magna-Power, designed from the ground up to meet the highly reliable power-dense demands of ATE system integrators through Magna-Power's signature current-fed power processing topology. Utilizing state-of-the-art semiconductors and innovative internally designed and manufactured heat sinks, the SL Series offers industry-leading 1U (1.75” height) programmable power levels with models at 1.5kW, 2.6kW, 4kW, 6kW, 8kW, and 10kW while still maintaining an ambient operating temperature rating up to 50°C.

MagnaDC programmable DC power supplies feature programmable voltage, current, and protection settings along with high-accuracy measurements. The SL Series functions and features are accessible and configurable from a variety of control methods, including:

• Front panel interface with stepless knobs
• 37-pin isolated analog-digital user I/O
• RS232 Computer interface with software and drivers

All MagnaDC programmable DC power supplies utilize high-frequency IGBT-based power processing in current-fed topology. This topology adds an additional stage over the conventional voltage-fed topology for enhanced control and system protection, ensuring that even under a fault condition, the power supply will self-protect. Due to the self-protecting characteristics of this topology, the possibility of fast-rising current spikes and magnetic core saturation is eliminated.

All Magna-Power Electronics power supplies contain circuitry to work harmoniously with other power equipment. Step-start contactors are used to keep the inrush current below the full-scale operating current. Filter components lower current harmonic content emanating from the power supply and increase power factor to levels beyond 90%. Every power supply is tested at 90% to 125% nominal line to ensure satisfactory operation even under the worst line voltage conditions.

With support for Standard Commands for Programmable Instrumentation (SCPI), MagnaDC power supplies provide an easy-to-use API with ASCII commands in readable text. Over 40 commands allow programmatic access to product registers, starting and stopping the product, control of voltage and current, high-accuracy measurement queries, and product configuration. Simple scripting or complex software can be achieved, with extensive documentation and examples provided by Magna-Power.

MagnaDC power supplies include RS232 communication interface standard with optional LXI TCP/IP Ethernet (+LXI) and IEEE-488 GPIB (+GPIB) options.

Using the rear User 37-pin I/O connector, the MagnaDC power supplies can be completely controlled and monitored using external signals. The voltage, current, over voltage, and over current set points are set by applying a 0-10V analog signal. Each diagnostic condition is given a designated pin, which reads +5V when high. Reference +5V and +10V signals are provided, eliminating the need for external voltage signals and allowing the use of dry contacts.

All these pins are isolated from the output terminals and referenced to earth-ground as standard - no additional isolation equipment or options are necessary.

The following list summarizes the available I/O from the power supply:

• 4 analog programming inputs
• 2 analog measurement outputs
• 5 digital inputs
• 15 digital outputs
• +2.5V, +5V and +10V reference signals

With the High Slew Rate Output (+HS) option equipped, high bandwidth operation is enabled along with fast rise times, allowing MagnaDC power supplies to address requirements for Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL).

All MagnaDC power supplies come standard with an IVI driver and an NI LabVIEW driver featuring a full set of VIs. Get started quickly with either driver using the included example programs.

Magna-Power's included Remote Interface Software (pictured) provides an easy and intuitive method to operate a Magna-Power Electronics power supply with computer control. The software includes a virtual control panel, a command panel to explore available commands, a register panel to monitor the power supply status, a calibration panel for recalibrating internal digital potentiometers, a firmware panel for upgrading firmware, and finally a modulation panel to emulate non-linear profiles.

All communication interfaces are supported across the various methods to program MagnaDC power supplies.

Front panel options

Magna-Power offers its SL series power supply with two front panel option - standard and blank (C version).  

The IEEE-488 GPIB (+GPIB) option, sometimes called the General Purpose Interface Bus (GPIB), is a general-purpose digital interface system that can be used to transfer data between two or more devices. It is particularly well-suited for interconnecting computers and instruments. Some of its key features are:

• Up to 15 devices may be connected to one bus
• Total bus length may be up to 20 m and the distance between devices may be up to 2 m
• Communication is digital and messages are sent one byte (8 bits) at a time
• Message transactions are hardware handshaked
• Data rates may be up to 1 Mbyte/sec

The IEEE-488 GPIB interface in integrated with the power supply’s rear communication ports. The IEEE 488 interface offers full compatibility with Magna-Power provided drivers, software, and SCPI command set.

Certified to the LXI Standard (Class C), version 1.4, the LXI TCP/IP Ethernet (+LXI) allows the product to be fully controlled over an integrated TCP/IP Ethernet interface. LXI is an instrumentation platform based on industry-standard Ethernet technology designed to provide modularity, flexibility, and performance to small and medium-sized systems. All of the product’s standard SCPI commands are supported over the +LXI option, along with all provided software and drivers.

LXI’s advantages are exemplified in its compact, flexible package providing high-speed I/O and reliable measurements. The Magna-Power Electronics LXI TCP/IP Ethernet option includes an embedded web server, allowing web browser power supply control and monitoring from virtually anywhere.

The High Slew Rate Output (+HS) solves several limitations inherent in switching power supply design. Rapid voltage transitions require internal electronics to supply the energy to charge and discharge output capacitors. Peak currents internal to the power supply define slew rate; utilizing less capacitance enables voltage transitions in shorter time periods. Additionally, less capacitance reduces requirements for discharge demands during open circuit conditions.

The standard output stage Magna-Power Electronics power supplies have been designed to provide the lowest possible output ripple voltage within the constraints of available components, size, and cost. Part of the output stage consists of a bank of aluminum electrolytic capacitors that have the desired electrical properties to provide this function. These components require bleed resistors to discharge any voltage when the power supply has no load and is disabled. While the presence of these components and the resulting performance are normally industry-accepted, there are applications where lower output capacitance and lower loss bleed resistors are extremely desirable and higher ripple voltage is acceptable. To meet this need, a high-slew rate option is available which has an output stage consisting of low-capacitance film and aluminum electrolytic capacitors, and lower-loss bleed resistors. Applications for the high-slew rate option include battery charging, photovoltaic emulation, power waveform generation, and medium-speed power pulsing. These applications all benefit from higher bandwidth and in many cases, can tolerate increased ripple voltage.

The Ruggedized Option (+RUG) provides additional mechanical security for large power components and sub-assemblies.

SL Series units with the Ruggedized Option have been independently tested to comply with the following MIL-STD-810G shock and vibration specifications:

• MIL-STD-810G CHG1 Method 516.7 Functional Shock, Procedure I; which subjects the product to 40G, 11 ms terminal saw tooth pulse; three shocks in each direction along three mutually perpendicular axes
• MIL-STD-810G CHG1 Method 514.7 Vibration; which subjects the product to two hours of vibration per axis along three mutually perpendicular axes

All products with the Ruggedized Option maintain ambient operating temperatures from 0°C to 50°C and ambient storage temperatures from -25°C to +85°C.

The Magna-Power SL series programmable DC power supply is available in power levels from 1.5kW to 10kW, with a wide variety of voltage and current options. The chart below outlines available options.