Variable DC Power Supplies
Select a voltage class below to view technical specifications, compliance standards, and load regulation limits. All power supplies listed are rated for continuous industrial duty cycles.
120V DC
US Standard Testing & NEMA Simulation
In the context of North American electrical engineering, the 120V variable DC power supply is a critical compliance instrument. Designed to encompass the full saturation range of the US mains standard (nominally 110V-120V), this class of power supply allows for the precise DC simulation of rectified mains voltage, essential for validating Universal Motors and older DC infrastructure. Furthermore, 120V serves as the definitive saturation point for 96V nominal battery systems. Engineers utilizing 120V supplies can safely perform equalization charging and capacity testing on these banks without the risk of over-voltage breakdown. The unit provides rigid voltage clamping to simulate grid swells (up to 127V) while maintaining a low noise floor for testing sensitive switch-mode power supply (SMPS) input stages.
150V DC
Aerospace Compliance & Lab Bench Standard
The 150V DC power supply is the 'Golden Mean' for general-purpose electronics laboratories. While 120V covers domestic appliances, 150V is the requisite standard for aerospace and defense applications involving 115V DC buses and 28V systems requiring high-margin stress testing. This voltage class is specifically engineered to provide a safety buffer for testing components rated at 100V-125V to their absolute breakdown limits. In semiconductor R&D, a 150V variable supply is essential for characterizing power MOSFETs and IGBTs. It allows engineers to sweep voltage rails well beyond nominal operation to identify thermal runaway points and verify Over-Voltage Protection (OVP) circuits. This unit offers the versatility to power high-impedance loads, piezoelectric actuators, and LED arrays.
220V DC
Industrial Automation & Global Grid Emulation
The 220V variable DC power supply is the workhorse of industrial automation and international product compliance. In power generation and substation environments, 220V DC is the standard control voltage for switchgear tripping coils and auxiliary backup systems. Utility engineers require robust, high-current 220V supplies to test the actuation force and timing of massive DC circuit breakers. From a global manufacturing perspective, 220V DC simulates the rectified output of the 230V AC mains found in Europe and Asia. This allows test engineers to validate the 'Universal Input' capabilities of power supplies and industrial drives destined for export. These units are built with ruggedized topology to handle high inductive kickback from large DC motors.
500V DC
Component Aging & Datacenter Architecture
500V represents the threshold of 'High Voltage' in commercial contexts, serving as the critical testing ground for capacitor reforming, insulation resistance, and datacenter power distribution. Modern hyperscale datacenters are moving toward 380V-400V DC distribution systems; a 500V variable supply provides the necessary overhead to stress-test server rack power units (PSUs) and ensure reliability under surge conditions. In component manufacturing, 500V supplies are utilized for 'burn-in' and aging of electrolytic capacitors. The ability to ramp voltage slowly prevents inrush current damage while effectively healing dielectric imperfections. This voltage level is also pivotal for testing Photovoltaic (PV) string inverters at the lower end of their MPPT range.
600V DC
Inverter Testing & Renewable Energy Systems
The 600V variable DC power supply is the standard for heavy industrial traction and renewable energy conversion. In 480V AC industrial environments, the rectified DC bus voltage sits around 680V, but 600V remains the nominal rating for many traction motors and inverters. This power supply enables engineers to simulate the DC Link of Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs) without a live AC mains connection. For solar energy applications, 600V is a standard string voltage for residential inverters. Testing Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) algorithms requires a power supply with high output impedance modes. These units are built to withstand significant regenerative energy, often featuring integrated bleed resistors to absorb energy from braking motors.
800V DC
EV High Voltage Architecture & SiC Development
The shift to 800V architectures marks a paradigm shift in electric vehicle efficiency. The 800V variable DC power supply is the primary enabling tool for this transition, designed to test wide-bandgap Silicon Carbide (SiC) inverters which operate at higher switching frequencies and voltages. It enables validation of efficiency gains in the drivetrain that 400V systems cannot achieve. Beyond the drivetrain, this voltage class is mandatory for validating DC Fast Charging (HPC) stations. An 800V programmable supply can emulate a high-voltage battery pack, sinking current from the charger to verify communication protocols (CCS/NACS) and thermal management under 350kW+ loads. Safety features include interlock loops and arc detection.
Looking for Standard 30V, 60V, or 1000V+ Models?
This category index focuses on specialized high-voltage industrial nodes. For our complete catalog of general-purpose lab bench supplies and custom voltage configurations, visit our main engineering portal.
General Selection FAQ
Linear vs. Switching: Which topology do I need?
Choose Linear if your application is highly sensitive to noise (e.g., RF communications, audio R&D, low-level signal processing), as they offer the lowest ripple ( often <1mV). Choose Switching for high-power applications (motors, electrolysis, battery charging) where efficiency and compact size are more critical than absolute signal purity.
What does "Variable" or "Programmable" actually imply?
A "Variable" supply allows manual adjustment of voltage and current via front panel knobs. A "Programmable" supply adds digital interfaces (USB, RS232, LAN) allowing a computer to control the output sequence, making them essential for automated production line testing and data logging.
How much "headroom" should I leave for voltage?
We generally recommend selecting a power supply with at least 20-25% more voltage capacity than your nominal operating requirement. This allows for over-voltage stress testing and ensures the power supply runs cooler by not operating at 100% duty cycle constantly.
Datasheets
Full PDF specifications, mechanical drawings, and communication protocol manuals (SCPI/Modbus) are available on individual product pages.
Support
Require a custom voltage or modification? Our application engineers can assist with specific load matching.