High Voltage Programable Power Supply

[KlausKragelund]

Hi

I need a 0-400V or higher programable power supply (USB, ethernet or analog in), 500W
Power from mains 230V

Anyone got a good recommendation?

Hoping for less that 1000 USD :-)

Thanks

Klaus

[ci11]

You did not mention if you needed a linear or SMPS, new or used.

If SMPS is OK, you may want to look at the Sorensen DCS series, which has a 600V 1.7A model. Sorensen makes other supplies that come standard with USB/RS232/GPIB but the DCS is the "no-frill" version. A little patience may reward you. Used price for a DCS600 averages about $500 in the US, add communications and the price goes much higher.

Since you are in DK, here's one in FR on eBay: https://www.ebay.de/itm/165128246474?epid=729753754&hash=item26726914ca:g:DkkAAOSwM0NhaAnL.

Good luck.

[TurboTom]

Here's my short teardown / review of a HSPY unit that's arranged as an SMPS with linear post-regulation.

The company offers a multitude of similar units in many voltage and power ranges. I'ld consider these to be not complete crap but far from comparable to "A-Tier" equipment. So depending on your requirements, a PSU of this range may or may not suit your needs -- YMMV  .

[KlausKragelund]

Here's my short teardown / review of a HSPY unit that's arranged as an SMPS with linear post-regulation.

The company offers a multitude of similar units in many voltage and power ranges. I'ld consider these to be not complete crap but far from comparable to "A-Tier" equipment. So depending on your requirements, a PSU of this range may or may not suit your needs -- YMMV  .

Thanks for the teardown. I see longer down in the thread, that it does have safety and design issues, so I think I will stay away from it

[KlausKragelund]

You did not mention if you needed a linear or SMPS, new or used.

If SMPS is OK, you may want to look at the Sorensen DCS series, which has a 600V 1.7A model. Sorensen makes other supplies that come standard with USB/RS232/GPIB but the DCS is the "no-frill" version. A little patience may reward you. Used price for a DCS600 averages about $500 in the US, add communications and the price goes much higher.

Since you are in DK, here's one in FR on eBay: https://www.ebay.de/itm/165128246474?epid=729753754&hash=item26726914ca:g:DkkAAOSwM0NhaAnL.

Good luck.

Very nice power supply. I often buy used gear (from quality makers like Sorensen/HP/etc), and I think the one you linked too will be a good match. Thanks :-)

[KlausKragelund]

I found a supply from BK Precision:

https://www.tme.eu/dk/en/details/bk9185b/programmable-power-supplies/b-k-precision/

Not in stock right now, but it is from the EU, so I can deduct the VAT, and it has different comms interfaces. Looks quite nice, at 1400 USD

[ci11]

The BK supply you linked to is 600V but 500mA rated at 210W max. I thought you were looking for a 500W supply?

In any case, BK and brands like Sorensen are not really ocmparable. One can argue that BK is moving into more industrial applications where reliability is paramount but brands like Elgar, Sorensen, HP, Kikusui and Delta Elektronika have been for years. Experience does count and these brands are generally conservatively engineered and well built to last decades. If your voltage rating is lower, I'd recommend looking at Rohde & Schwarz offerings from the previous generations as well. Lower priced options here are Lambda and Acopian.

As to programming these supplies, that's where these brands ask for the big bucks. Programming in this context means not only voltage and current control but also customizable waveforms and sequences. Being able to control the supply for V and I remotely is much easier and some people do refer to that "programming". Remote control on the industrial brands mentioned above is usually fashioned with either an analog DC voltage or a 0-10K pot external to the supply. Very simple and PC programs or fancy wiring are usually needed.

If your needs are less than 100mA but into kV, there is another class of supplies you can investigate - these are 1kV+ supplies that are designed for X-Rays, blood processing machines and they sell under names like Spellman or Glassman High Voltage, both of which are owned by XP Power now. These are rugged units that work day in and day out with no complaints.

Have fun and good luck!

[HighVoltage]

Look at the German manufacturer FUG
https://www.fug-elektronik.de/

[KlausKragelund]

The BK supply you linked to is 600V but 500mA rated at 210W max. I thought you were looking for a 500W supply?

In any case, BK and brands like Sorensen are not really ocmparable. One can argue that BK is moving into more industrial applications where reliability is paramount but brands like Elgar, Sorensen, HP, Kikusui and Delta Elektronika have been for years. Experience does count and these brands are generally conservatively engineered and well built to last decades. If your voltage rating is lower, I'd recommend looking at Rohde & Schwarz offerings from the previous generations as well. Lower priced options here are Lambda and Acopian.

As to programming these supplies, that's where these brands ask for the big bucks. Programming in this context means not only voltage and current control but also customizable waveforms and sequences. Being able to control the supply for V and I remotely is much easier and some people do refer to that "programming". Remote control on the industrial brands mentioned above is usually fashioned with either an analog DC voltage or a 0-10K pot external to the supply. Very simple and PC programs or fancy wiring are usually needed.

If your needs are less than 100mA but into kV, there is another class of supplies you can investigate - these are 1kV+ supplies that are designed for X-Rays, blood processing machines and they sell under names like Spellman or Glassman High Voltage, both of which are owned by XP Power now. These are rugged units that work day in and day out with no complaints.

Have fun and good luck!

I can do with 210W, and buying a new one that has the right interface is important, since I need to not spend too much time on getting it working to my setup

But, I agree fully. The Sorensen is a step up in quality, as the BK is a step up from the Aliexpress stuff ;-)

[H.O]

I was going to mention Delta Elektronika. Their SM400-AR-4 does 2A at 400V (4A at 200V or less).
I believe it comes standard with analog programming. You can order Ethernet, CAN, Profibus, IEE488 and RS232 interface as option (only one can be fitted though). I don't know the price...