Programmable AC Power and Regenerative Grid Simulators

AC stands for Alternating Current. It is a type of electrical current where the direction of flow reverses at regular intervals, and the voltage continuously changes over time. AC power is widely used in homes and businesses because it is more cost-effective and efficient for generating and transmitting electricity over long distances compared to DC (Direct Current). In homes, when you plug in devices like TVs or kitchen appliances, you're using AC power from the wall outlet. Inside most electronic devices, this AC power is later converted into DC power, which the electronics actually use to operate.

An AC power source provides controlled AC power to different types of loads. The input can either be AC or DC. You need an AC power source when the power from a standard wall outlet doesn’t meet your device’s specific requirements. It adjusts the voltage, current, and frequency to match what your equipment needs by stepping the voltage up or down and filtering the signal. AC power sources are also commonly used in testing, where they simulate real-world electrical conditions like surges, outages, or voltage fluctuations to ensure devices can handle them.

A single-phase AC power source uses two wires: a phase wire and a neutral wire. Power flows from the phase wire through the device and returns via the neutral wire. Single-phase systems are simpler, need fewer conductors, and are typically used for lighting, heating, and small appliances.

A three-phase AC power source uses three wires to carry current, often arranged in either a wye or delta configuration. In a wye system, a neutral wire is also used. Three-phase systems are more efficient for delivering large amounts of power and are typically used in industrial equipment and heavy machinery.

AC (Alternating Current) power is ideal for sending electricity over long distances and is distributed through the electrical grid. DC (Direct Current) power flows in one direction and offers very stable voltage, which is why it’s commonly used in batteries and most electronic devices. Many devices either run directly on DC power or convert AC to DC using a rectifier inside the device.

A programmable AC power source lets you adjust the output voltage, frequency, and waveform to simulate different power conditions. Unlike fixed-output sources, a programmable source can recreate real-world situations like power surges, outages, or voltage changes — making it ideal for product testing, R&D, and production environments.

Programmable AC power sources can be controlled remotely using communication interfaces like GPIB, LAN, USB, or RS-232. They also support SCPI (Standard Commands for Programmable Instruments) commands and can integrate easily into automated test setups using various software drivers.

Choosing the right AC power source depends on your specific needs:

• Required voltage, current, and total power
• Frequency range
• Type of waveform you need (pure sinewave, distorted, etc.)
• Special functions like harmonic generation or advanced measurements

Understanding your application’s power demands and test requirements is key to selecting the right model.

AMETEK offers programmable AC power sources ranging from 500 VA to 1.08 MVA, covering basic testing needs all the way up to high-power industrial and research applications.

AMETEK programmable AC power sources are designed for a wide variety of uses, including:

• Design validation and production testing
• Educational labs and research & development (R&D)
• Avionics and aerospace equipment testing
• Inverter and EV/EVSE testing
• Arbitrary waveform generation
• Bulk power testing and conditioning
• Automated test systems (ATE)