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Frequently Asked Questions
What is an AC+DC power source and how does it differ from a standard AC power supply?
An AC+DC power source is a versatile test instrument that combines both AC and DC output capability in a single unit. Unlike a standard AC power supply that only delivers alternating current, an AC+DC source can operate in AC mode, DC mode, or a combined AC+DC mode — where you can add ripple to a DC signal or apply a DC offset to an AC waveform. This makes it ideal for testing devices that need to handle noise, voltage fluctuations, or mixed-signal conditions, such as battery chargers, motor drivers, and sensitive electronics.
What are the benefits of choosing an AC+DC source over separate AC and DC supplies?
A combined AC+DC power source eliminates the need for two separate pieces of test equipment, saving bench space, reducing cabling complexity, and simplifying your test setup. It also allows seamless switching between AC, DC, and AC+DC modes during a test sequence without reconfiguring your setup. For production environments this means faster throughput, and for R&D labs it means greater flexibility to simulate real-world power conditions in a single instrument.
What does "regenerative" mean, and why does it matter?
A regenerative power source — such as the AZX series — can both source (supply) and sink (absorb) power. When sinking, it feeds energy back into your facility's mains supply rather than converting it to heat, achieving over 90% energy recovery. This significantly reduces electricity costs and cooling requirements compared to traditional non-regenerative units, making it particularly cost-effective for high-power or continuous-duty testing applications.
What power ranges are available for AC+DC sources?
Caltest offers AC+DC power sources across a wide range of power levels to suit different applications. Compact bench units like the CPS100 series start from 600VA and go up to 5,000VA, mid-range units like the CFS and AFX series cover 800VA to 15kVA, and high-power regenerative systems like the AZX series extend from 30kVA up to 200kVA. Many models are scalable through parallel operation for even higher power requirements.
Can an AC+DC power source simulate real-world power grid conditions?
Yes. Most AC+DC sources are programmable and can simulate a wide range of conditions including voltage sags, surges, brownouts, frequency variations, harmonic distortion, and phase imbalances on three-phase models. They typically support frequency ranges from 50/60Hz up to 400Hz or higher (some up to 5,000Hz), making them suitable for global compliance testing, aerospace 400Hz applications, and power quality analysis.
What applications are AC+DC power sources commonly used for?
AC+DC power sources are used across a broad range of industries and applications. Common uses include compliance and type-approval testing to IEC, MIL-STD, and DO-160 standards; EV and battery charger testing where both AC grid simulation and DC output are needed; aerospace and defence testing at 400Hz; renewable energy inverter and converter testing; motor and drive testing where bidirectional power flow and back-EMF handling are required; and general R&D or production line testing where flexible, programmable power is essential.
