Regenerative Load/Recuperative Load
To maintain low dissipation while sinking power from an active load, the BOP High Power recuperates the energy for general reuse. This means that in sink mode, d-c from the active load flows back into the BOP, is converted to a-c and flows back into the a-c mains. This means that energy from the active load, instead of being dissipated as heat, is actually productive power that not only increases the efficiency of the BOP, but equally important, reduces the cooling required for the test environment. The key to this is a bi-directional a-c input power factor correcting (PFC) circuit, which allows transparent energy interchange without dissipative sinking. The PFC circuit lowers the line harmonic distortion of the input current while maintaining a power factor greater than 0.97. The PFC works in both generation and recuperation modes.
The BOP High Power models produce up to 1000 watts of d-c power bi-directionally in nine MG models from ±6V to ±100V. The BOP 6-125MG (6V, 125A) is featured in Electronics Products magazine. Four GL models, optimized for very low ripple and noise, are available from ±10V to ±50V.
Digital Control
The BOP High Power models are controlled digitally from a front panel keypad or either of the built-in standard remote interfaces, either GPIB or RS 232, to set voltage or current and the four protection limits (+voltage, -voltage, +current and -current). A large LCD displays the settings, mode of operation and the actual output voltage and current. Additionally, the BOP High Power can be remotely controlled by an analog ±10V input. This mode is selected by the keypad from the menu, or remotely, through the IEEE 488 or RS 232 controller.
Applications
BOP High Power models are suitable for driving large magnets or motors, and for exercising batteries. They are also suitable for characterizing passive and reactive components, semiconductors and solar cell arrays, as well as powering many electro-chemical reactions. These models can also be used as either constant voltage-type or constant current-type electronic loads.
BOP 1KW GL Series Optimized for Very Low Ripple and Noise
The BOP-GL series models are a standard modification of the 1KW that have been optimized for exceptionally low current ripple and noise and improved stability (drift and temperature), making them ideal for driving inductive loads such as large magnets or motors. These bipolar power supplies pass smoothly through zero without switching to provide true ± voltage and ± current.
Solar Device Testing
The Kepco BOP 1KW provides a one-step solution for test and characterization of solar cells and solar panels: see Kepco Applicaton Note "Using Kepco BOP 1KW for Solar Device Testing". A free LabView subvi allows rapid characterization of the solar device using only the BOP 1KW, eliminating the need for separate DVMs to measure voltage and current. The subvi is designed for both I-V Trace and Dark I-V testing, and can be plugged in or easily adapted to existing LabView test applications. Units with firmware version below 3.05 (find Firmware Version) can be upgraded to have this capability with Upgrade Kit 219-0533.