Four-channel benchtop power supplies offer engineers greater flexibility when powering difficult-to-simulate devices under test. With the E36441A, Keysight launches a benchtop unit with a large display and uncompromising output power and output quality.

Miniaturisation enabled Keysight to provide an array of versatile benchtop instruments in a small casing. The DM34460 is the multimeter, while the FG33532A is the arbitrary waveform generator. In the following steps, the E36441A is in focus; it appears as shown below.

In addition to the large touchscreen and the comfortable numerical keypad, the presence of four output channels deserves mention. On an individual, per-channel perspective, an output performance of 160 W / 32 V / 10 A is achieved. The unit\'s total power dissipation can reach up to 400 W.

Flexible Power Supply Connection Options for High Performance.

While the front of the device provides connection-friendly banana plugs, designers seeking higher accuracy power delivery can switch to the Kelvin connection at the back. There, a total of four wires are provided, which let the PSU eliminate ohmic losses caused by cable resistance between the power supply and the device under test.

Given that all of the outputs are galvanically isolated from one another, both series and parallel connections are possible. Keysight supports this special regimen via an optional accessory called the „E364SNP Series and Parallel Kit". When connected to the back of the power supply, all four channels combine into a single channel. It is then capable of providing up to 128 V and up to 40 Amperes; the total power dissipation of the power supply limits output power.

Finally, the individual channels provide high-quality and highly accurate outputs. In the data sheet of the autoranging bench power supply, Keysight promises highly impressive specifications:

The E36441A provides clean power with less than 1 mVrms ripple and noise. Precise output control allows voltage to be set to 0.05% accuracy and current to 0.1% accuracy. Similar readback accuracy enables precision measurements to be made from the front panel, eliminating the need for an external multimeter. Load and line regulation better than 0.01% ensures a steady output when power line and load changes occur, giving you more peace of mind.

Making the Best of the Large Display

Keysight power supplies have always been programmable: using them as a high-power function generator was a classic task in automated test equipment. With the E36441A, Keysight provides a variety of commonly used interfaces. For example, the device can directly connect to an Ethernet network found in the laboratory.

For many applications, the presence of a workstation is no longer required. Instead, the device's firmware provides a variety of valuable features, including a data logger and list mode.

The data logger records the interactions between the device under test and the power supply, while the list mode implements the above-mentioned arbitrary waveform generator. When combined with the ability to import a wide range of file formats, this bench power supply significantly boosts design engineers\' productivity.

Finally, designers can put their test circuit into production use by deploying the E364RMK rack mount kit. It transforms the benchtop-friendly unit into a classic, rack-mountable instrument.

Conclusion

Keysight's E36441A power supply provides designers with a huge productivity boost. Thanks to its affordable pricing and impressive output specifications, the device can be used for power consumption logic---a true do-it-all device when a high-quality benchtop power supply is required.