High Current AC Source

[freeelectrons]

Hey Everyone,

I am currently looking for a high current ac source. I currently(lol) use a current source with a transformer to step down and provide a high current output. The only equipment I have come across is Zenone https://www.zenoneelettronica.it/indexe.html. Is anyone aware of other options?

Thanks!

[Martin72]

I´m looking for something...
More details please.
How much current (min, max/peak, duration), frequency, for what to use..

[radiolistener]

you can use mains, it supports pretty high AC current

If you're needs more, like continuous megawatt power consumption, you can ask your local energy company for a dedicated high voltage line to your apparatus...

[J-R]

Hopefully this is not just another company trying to drum up traffic to their site...

[Stray Electron]

Hopefully this is not just another company trying to drum up traffic to their site...

   It probably is, otherwise an AC arc welder is a rather obvious choice.

[Martin72]

I can not imagine, the products that Zenone manufactures cost not exactly little (we once asked a 200kVA supply, which costs 6-digit), here they would rather not find a target group for it.

[freeelectrons]

I´m looking for something...
More details please.
How much current (min, max/peak, duration), frequency, for what to use..

Up to constant 400 amps rms. The load is essentially a short so i would need to control current from the source programmatically. Sub 1200hz for harmonics testing but 60hz fundamental.

[freeelectrons]

   It probably is, otherwise an AC arc welder is a rather obvious choice.

It would be interesting to develop a solution from a welder. After looking at prices it makes more sense to go directly with a ac source and transformer.

[freeelectrons]

It does not seem like there are many accurate programmable ac current sources available.

[M Harris]

Kikusui make big, programmable AC supplies: https://global.kikusui.co.jp/products-index/ac/

Some of the series can be paralleled to provide rather substantial amounts of programmable current. You might need an on site generator to power them, if your AC supply isn't capable and the utility doesn't want to give you a few hundred kW supply. Hyundai gensets are probably cheaper than a supply upgrade too.

[Kean]

ITECH China has the IT7800 which can be paralleled for high current.  Won't be cheap, but it may be cheaper than the other (non DIY) options mentioned.
https://itechate.com/en/product/ac-power-supply/IT7800.html

I have no experience with these large units, but do I have a little ITECH IT7321 Programmable AC PSU on my bench.

[Martin72]

For higher current simulations we use a transformer with one additonal winding on the core.
We get nearly 100A this way while only 1A primary current is flowing.
So buying a welding transformer and feed him with a low/medium power source ist the cheapest way to gain the 400A current.

[tautech]

So buying a welding transformer and feed him with a low/medium power source ist the cheapest way to gain the 400A current.

Hmm, my 400A AC 2 phase stick welder cost me just $200.

Duty cycle at full tit is another consideration fan cooled or not.

[Stray Electron]

It does not seem like there are many accurate programmable ac current sources available.

  Oh yes there are! Pacific Scientific and Elgar just to name two of them.  I don't know how high their current ratings are but they are very accurate voltage and frequency wise and they are programmable.  I THINK you can also couple several Elgar units together to increase their current output and drive all of them from a single control module.  What kind of voltage output do you need?  400 amps is a lot of current and if you need that amount at any significant voltage, it's going to be a hell of a lot of Power!  If you just need a volt or two then you might be able to use an Elgar 251 or one of their 750 Watt models set to say 110 VAC and use that to drive a transformer that will give 400 Amps at 1/2 to 1 volt AC.  I've used the Elgar 251s and some of the PS units and I know that Elgar makes a 750 Watt output model and I think they make larger models but I have no experience with them.

[freeelectrons]

For higher current simulations we use a transformer with one additonal winding on the core.
We get nearly 100A this way while only 1A primary current is flowing.
So buying a welding transformer and feed him with a low/medium power source ist the cheapest way to gain the 400A current.

Any links or recommendations?

We use the secondary of this transformer https://www.tescometering.com/product/loading-transformer/ like an auto transformer to double our current but compliance voltage begins to be a concern.

[T3sl4co1l]

Played with one of these once, https://www.amp-line.com/
Well built, easy enough to use, programmable, very heavy...

Specifically, a 2V 1000A single phase model.  For testing power line current sensors.  I think the bulk of the weight was the output transformer.  Hm, it was 208/240V input, though I forget if we were using 3ph on it (industrial application, we had it available of course).

Tim

[freeelectrons]

Hmm, my 400A AC 2 phase stick welder cost me just $200.

Duty cycle at full tit is another consideration fan cooled or not.

Any links?

[freeelectrons]

It does not seem like there are many accurate programmable ac current sources available.

  Oh yes there are! Pacific Scientific and Elgar just to name two of them.  I don't know how high their current ratings are but they are very accurate voltage and frequency wise and they are programmable.  I THINK you can also couple several Elgar units together to increase their current output and drive all of them from a single control module.  What kind of voltage output do you need?  400 amps is a lot of current and if you need that amount at any significant voltage, it's going to be a hell of a lot of Power!  If you just need a volt or two then you might be able to use an Elgar 251 or one of their 750 Watt models set to say 110 VAC and use that to drive a transformer that will give 400 Amps at 1/2 to 1 volt AC.  I've used the Elgar 251s and some of the PS units and I know that Elgar makes a 750 Watt output model and I think they make larger models but I have no experience with them.

Ill check them out. Compliance voltage I would expect to be no larger than 10V. I also looked for a transformer to drive that level of current and did not find any options. Elgar was purchased by ametek.

[SoundTech-LG]

So buying a welding transformer and feed him with a low/medium power source ist the cheapest way to gain the 400A current.

Hmm, my 400A AC 2 phase stick welder cost me just $200.

Duty cycle at full tit is another consideration fan cooled or not.

I think I remember my girl telling me that same story...

[tautech]

Hmm, my 400A AC 2 phase stick welder cost me just $200.

Duty cycle at full tit is another consideration fan cooled or not.

Any links?

Got mine via our local online auction site, older but in good order.
Google Transarc 400 welder for examples but they will mostly be NZ/AU locations.

[SoundTech-LG]

Older or not, full tit is usually always good...

[tautech]

Older or not, full tit is usually always good...

Ever used a 400A welder running at full tit ?
If not you are in for an experience.......300A is as hard as I've used and that ate 6g rods for breakfast ! 

[SoundTech-LG]

Well when it comes to full tit, I have no experience with Arc welders, so wouldn't know. Now up here there is a difference between tit, and tilt, so that could make an upside down world of difference!

[Wrenches of Death]

Hmm, my 400A AC 2 phase stick welder cost me just $200.

Duty cycle at full tit is another consideration fan cooled or not.

You can always parallel two welding machines, AC or DC. I have a couple of Millers that I've done that with a few times when using jet rods.

It's a lot easier on the machines when they are sharing the load.

WoD

[Wrenches of Death]

Ever used a 400A welder running at full tit ?
If not you are in for an experience.......300A is as hard as I've used and that ate 6g rods for breakfast ! 

Yes! Both jet rods and arc gouging! 

Most people would never believe the heat generated by either of these at those current levels. A white pipe-liner hood is noticeably cooler than a grey or black one.

WoD