DC Power Supply for Laboratory & Electronics Testing
Find the Right DC Power Supply for Your Application
DC power supplies deliver stable, controlled voltage and current for electronics testing, R&D, production environments, and automated workflows. Vicom supplies high-quality systems from Tektronix, covering general-purpose use, precision work, battery simulation, and high-power testing. These instruments support engineers across Australia and New Zealand who need reliability, accuracy, and consistent performance.
General-Purpose Power Supplies
- 1U mainframe with 3 slots
- Up to 6 channels per 1U mainframe
- Mix & match PSU & SMU
- Two or three independent outputs
- All outputs displayed simultaneously
- Remote sensing on all channels
- Low noise
- Programmable power supply
- Applications include teaching labs, testing circuit board testing and modules
- 20V to 72V and 1.2A to 5A outputs
- 1mV/0.1mA resolution
- Displays settings and outputs
- Power up to 1080W
- Outputs up to 800V and 100A
- Analog input
- Single channel
- Wide range
- Programmable power supply
- Used in automated test equipment
- Used in a wide range of applications, including research and design, quality control, and ATE
Battery Testing & Simulation
- Optimized for battery testing and battery simulation
- 1 ms communication speed
- Models available with 3 independent channels to test more batteries at a time
- Used to model and simulate any type of battery
- Unique display shows battery state
- Precision power supply mode
- TFT LCD display to monitor current and voltages
- Ultra-fast response to transient load currents
- Single and dual output models
- Each output can source or sink
- Programmable output resistance
- Open sense lead detection
- Built-in digital voltmeter
- Low noise
- Broad frequency EIS delivers deeper insight into battery cells condition.
- Better than 1% impedance measurement accuracy
- 20 channels of 4-wire PT100 temperature sensors
- Measurements hundreds of times faster than traditional swept measurements
High-Precision Applications
- 195 W and 375 W versions
- 6 A or 60 V per output
- Remote sensing on all outputs
- Three-channel models
- Low noise
- Programmable power supply
- Applications include advanced teaching labs, R&D Labs, and ATE Systems
- 192W with up to 6A
- 6 ½-digit, 10nA current measurement resolution
- Displays plots of voltage and current
- Programmable power supply
- Designed for benchtop and automated testing of power conversion devices and IoT devices
- TFT LCD display to monitor current and voltages
- Applications include advanced R&D Labs, IOT device testing, and ATE Systems
- 5kV and 10KV output models
- 1µA current resolution
- Safety interlock
- IEEE-488 programmable
- Low noise output
- Applications include breakdown voltage and leakage, ATE, and bench testing
High-Power Applications
- High power density, efficient unidirectional supplies with autoranging
- Active power factor correction minimizes waste drawn from the power grid
- Built in function generator
- Precision benchtop power supplies with touch screen
- Autoranging for wider voltage and current test envelope.
- High-voltage supplies with built-in load to source and sink power at 96% efficiency
- True autoranging that delivers maximum power down to about 1/3 of the rated voltage or current
- The PSB 20000 series includes three fast, precise outputs
- Scalable High-Power Performance in a Compact Footprint
- Comprehensive Integration and Control
- Robust Safety and Customization Options
- High Power Density with Modular Scalability
- Bidirectional Efficiency and Regenerative Capability
- Unified Platform for Seamless Integration
For Series-connected Devices
EA Elektro-Automatik devices can be connected in series to achieve higher voltage requirements up to 3000 V DC. For safe operation, the Serial Connection Box (SCB) must be used. The SCB prevents devices in a series setup from exceeding their rated insulation voltage and keeps the system operating safely. The SCB also enables flexible use of EA systems.
Each device can operate on its own or be linked in series. For instance, two parallel-connected groups can be placed in series to form high-voltage, high-power systems that meet demanding market needs.
Compatible with:
Featured DC Power Supply: EA-PSI 10000 Series: Precise, High-Performance
The EA-PSI 10000 Series provides accurate, adjustable power with high efficiency and autoranging performance, designed for R&D, production settings, and automated testing.
- Stable, Programmable DC Power – Accurate voltage and current control
- Autoranging Flexibility – Delivers maximum usable power across voltage ranges
- High Efficiency – Limits energy waste and heat generation
- Remote Programmability – Supports Ethernet, USB, and CAN for automated workflows
Optimise Your Workflow with a DC Power Supply
Optimise Your Workflow with a DC Power Supply
A DC power supply provides stable, adjustable voltage and current for testing, prototyping, and manufacturing. Whether your work is in education, research, or industry, a reliable DC power source ensures precise, repeatable outcomes. Watch the video to see how it improves your testing process.
How Engineers Succeed with Tektronix DC Power Supplies
Precision Power for Your Circuit
Is your test setup delivering true accuracy? Beyond datasheet values, real-world factors such as load regulation, remote sensing, and even cable quality influence the voltage your circuit receives. Learn how to interpret accuracy specifications correctly and apply methods like remote sensing for the highest measurement accuracy.
Factors Affecting Accuracy of a Programmable DC Power Supply in a Circuit
Resources for Further Exploration
Streamline Your Battery Testing Setup
Make battery testing simpler by replacing separate power supplies and loads with a single bidirectional solution. Tektronix systems support seamless charge and discharge cycles, improved safety features, and cost savings through energy regeneration for advanced battery testing.
How Bidirectional Programmable DC Power Supplies Make Battery Testing Easier
Resources for Further Exploration
Boost Test Automation with Autoranging
Avoid constant power supply changes for different devices in automated systems. See how EA’s True Autoranging allows one unit to handle a broader range of DUTs, improving flexibility and efficiency in automated testing.
Resources for Further Exploration
Expert Tips for DC Power Supply Measurement
The 10 Stages of Design
Building a reliable power supply involves structured planning, accurate testing, and the right measurement tools. The Power Supply Measurement Tips guide outlines the 10 key design stages—from component choice through EMI troubleshooting to final validation. These insights help improve performance, efficiency, and time to market. If you’re selecting a new supply, the same principles apply; performance depends as much on testing and refinement as on specifications.
How to Choose the Right DC Power Supply
Selecting a DC power supply can be overwhelming with the range of options available, but breaking it down by application and essential features makes the decision much easier. Here’s what to consider when choosing the right power supply for your needs.
Step 1: Define Your Application
Before reviewing specifications, identify the intended use.
- General electronics testing – A standard bench supply is suitable.
- Battery testing or simulation – Requires a bidirectional unit or a battery emulator.
- High-power work – For EV components or industrial loads, a high-voltage, high-current, or autoranging supply is more appropriate.
Step 2: Key Selection Criteria
Single vs. Multi-Output
- Single-output supplies suit basic tasks using one power source.
- Multi-output supplies are better for circuits needing multiple voltage rails and reduce extra equipment.
Voltage, Current, and Power Capacity
- Confirm the supply meets your minimum and maximum voltage and current requirements.
- Autoranging units offer more flexibility by adapting voltage and current while maintaining full power.
Precision and Stability
- Resolution and accuracy determine how finely you can control voltage and current.
- Ripple and noise affect signal integrity, especially in sensitive analog or RF tests.
Programmability and Automation
- USB, LAN, or GPIB are suitable for standard automated setups.
- More advanced tools—sequencing, arbitrary waveform generation, programmable load profiles—support complex testing.
- Analogue and digital I/O allow integration with external controllers.
Step 3: Specialized Features for Specific Applications
- Battery Simulation and Testing – Supplies that emulate battery behaviour improve power consumption and efficiency testing accuracy.
- Bidirectional Supplies – Source and sink power, ideal for storage systems and EV battery cycling.
- High-Voltage Supplies – Required for semiconductor testing and insulation breakdown work at 1 kV or higher.
Step 4: Consider Long-Term Usability
A power supply should meet current and future requirements.
- Scalability – Can the system expand as needs grow?
- Versatility – Does it cover multiple use cases, or is it narrowly specialised?
- Durability – Is it designed for long-term reliability and stable performance?
Need help choosing the right DC power supply for your application?
Need Help Understanding DC Power Supplies?
Browse the FAQs
What is a DC power supply?
A DC power supply takes AC input from the mains and converts it into a stable DC output. It may be regulated to hold a constant voltage or unregulated depending on what the application requires.
What’s the difference between a DC power supply and an AC power supply?
A DC power supply provides direct current output, giving a steady voltage suited to powering and testing electronic devices, circuit boards, and components. An AC power supply delivers alternating current output that replicates grid or generator conditions. AC units are mainly used to test products intended to run on mains power, including home appliances and industrial equipment.
What industries use DC power supplies?
DC power supplies are used across many sectors, including:
Electronics and semiconductor testing – for circuit checks, component characterisation, and failure analysis.
Automotive and electric vehicles – for battery testing, powertrain checks, and inverter work.
Aerospace and defence – for accurate testing of avionics, radar systems, and satellite equipment.
Medical devices – for developing and testing implantable and portable medical electronics.
Renewable energy – for validating solar panels, fuel cells, and energy storage systems.
Can a DC power supply simulate a battery?
Yes. Certain programmable DC power supplies are built to act as battery simulators. They let engineers define internal resistance, voltage drop, and discharge profiles so battery-powered devices can be tested under different conditions without a physical battery. This supports controlled, repeatable testing.
What are switching power supplies?
Switching power supplies use high-frequency switching regulators to convert AC or DC power with high efficiency. They are lighter and more compact than linear designs but can generate electrical noise.
What is a bench power supply?
A bench power supply is a standalone unit used in labs, workbenches, and test setups. It offers adjustable voltage and current for precise control when working with electronic circuits.
What is a bidirectional power supply?
A bidirectional power supply can both deliver power to a device under test and absorb power coming back from it. This capability is important for battery testing, regenerative energy systems, and EV powertrain development.
What is a linear power supply?
A linear power supply uses a transformer to step down AC voltage and linear regulators to produce a stable DC output. It delivers clean, low-noise power but operates with lower efficiency because excess energy is lost as heat.
What is a programmable DC power supply?
A programmable DC power supply lets users control voltage, current, and other settings through software or interfaces such as USB, GPIB, or Ethernet. It is commonly used in automated testing environments.
What is a variable power supply?
A variable power supply allows the user to adjust the output voltage and/or current within a set range, making it suitable when different power levels are needed during testing or prototyping.
What is an ATE power supply?
An ATE power supply is designed for automated test systems and delivers stable, repeatable power for manufacturing and validation of electronic products.
What is an autoranging power supply?
An autoranging power supply automatically shifts its voltage and current output within a defined power envelope. This gives it a broader operating range than fixed-range supplies and suits situations where testing requires changing voltage and current levels.
Why is ripple and noise important in a DC power supply?
Ripple and noise are unwanted variations in the DC output. Low levels are essential in applications needing clean, stable power, including precision analogue systems, RF testing, and medical devices. High noise can interfere with sensitive components and cause inaccurate results or unstable operation. Selecting a low-noise supply supports reliable performance in demanding environments.
