mPower DC Bidirectional
Programmable Power Supply ↑

Marway’s lab quality mPower DC power supply includes many advanced capabilities usually found only in systems costing much more. A cornerstone feature is the autoranging dc signal (both output and input modes). The benefit of autoranging allows a single modestly-powered supply to cover test cases of higher voltage or current compared to conventional power supplies. Autoranging saves capital costs and rack space, and even simplifies test setup. (Learn more about autoranging.)

As a programmable power supply and load, mPower offers Modbus and SCPI command protocols which can be sent directly through USB or Ethernet, or wrapped in variety of higher level field bus protocols such as Profibus, ProfiNet, EtherCAT, variations of CAN, and others.

With dozens of models, mPower provides solutions for low and high voltage power supply needs, low and high current power supply needs, and the ability to “stack” or parallel multiple units together to achieve high power capacities as well.

mPower 411 has the ability to automatically toggle between power supply and electronic load operation. This double-duty capability saves even more space and capital costs for test stations traditionally outfitted with hardware for both supplies and loads.

Powerful capabilities

• Source and sink of the full power capacity.
• Sink functionality comes from transferring energy back to the grid with up to 96% efficiency.
• Available in 1.5 and 3.0 kW (2U), 5, 10, and 15 kW (3U) and 30 kW (4U) totalling almost 50 models.
• Up to 64 parallel units. With the 30 kW models, it’s possible to power up to 1,920 total kW with each unit having up to 2,000 Vdc or up to 1,000 amps.
• Programmable dc signal using ModBus and SCPI protocols on a variety of interfaces.
• Operate in constant voltage, current, power, or resistance mode.
• Autoranging dc output delivers full power for a wider range of voltage and current settings.
• Active power factor correction of input power.
• Function generator to automate profiles for the dc output voltage or current.
• Data logging to USB drive.
• Remotely controllable through Windows®, LabView®, and your own custom scripts.
• Sense bus to measure and adjust dc output at the load to ensure the DUT gets the precise voltage the test calls for.
• Safety features including user interface lockout and quick discharge circuitry. Built-in alerts for over voltage, current, power, and temperature.

Renewable Energy Simulations ↑

• Photovoltaic power simulations.
• MPP Tracking controls.
• Fuel cell power simulations.
• Battery charge and discharge tests.

With the rapid time to market demands in renewable energy systems, having the ability to simulate key power sources, loads, and controls can save time during development and manufacturing testing. mPower has the ability to simulate PV power sources using either a simple or extended model simulation, and the abililty to substitute for solar inverters. The bidirectional capabilities and built-in test logic enable mPower 411 to stand in for fuel cells or batteries, or their loads as well.

Built in configuration tools simplify simulations to entering a few parameters via GUI touch panel (or remote programming). The power supply software then automates the sequence of the power source or sink profile.

Multi-unit Parallel Setups ↑

• Increase the total current and power with parallel units.
• 411 Series can run up to 64 units in parallel.
• All models can be used in a “control” or “expansion” role.

For large power needs, whether permanent or temporary, it can be useful (and cost effective) to combine smaller units in parallel rather than acquiring a large dc power supply to cover those cases.

For managing multiple parallel-wired systems, there are two buses in use. All series have the Share bus. This helps multiple units communicate power status for balancing the dc output. The 411 series also have a logic bus which further adds the ability for a control unit to adjust setpoints, control dc output switching, monitor alarms, and manage other data across all units.

Running systems in parallel requires that each unit is from the same series. With the 411 Series, each unit can be a different model (though it is safest to use the same voltage ratings).