8500 Series: 4 kW to 20 kW (up to 100 kVA), up to 400A continuous, single-phase and three-phase

8504 ampliifer

The 8500 Advantage

Unlike traditional switch-mode amplifiers with a ripple frequency between 80 kHz and 100 kHz, the 8500 series has an effective switch frequency of 1 MHz.

This ultra-high-frequency switching gives the 8500 amplifier many benefits over both linear (dissipative) amplifiers and traditional switch-mode amplifiers.

Bandwidth: The first and most obvious benefit from a higher switching frequency is wider bandwidth. AE Techron 8000 series amplifiers are the only high-power switch-mode amplifiers with a bandwidth that extends to 250 kHz.

Smaller output filter: Switch-mode amplifiers, as a part of their basic design,

have high-frequency, high-voltage switching at the heart of their operation. The last stage in any switch-mode amplifier is the low-pass filter that removes the high-frequency switching-noise artifacts from the output signal. Increasing the effective switching frequency by a factor of 10 allows us to reduce the size of these large L-C components used to create this low-pass filter by a similar amount, reducing amplifier size and cost.

Lower magnitude, higher frequency ripple noises: The reduction in output filter component size also makes it easier to implement more complex, higher-order low-pass filters, to greatly reduce output ripple noise. The 8500 series uses this advantage to create output voltages of up to 400 Vp with 1 MHz ripple noises that are less than 2 Vp, with in-band noise specifications similar to low-noise linear amplifiers. If even lower noise floors are needed, simple, small, external filtering can reduce this noise even further.

Optimized for transient waveforms and reactive loads: The 8500 Series of amplifiers are compact and capable. They are able to drive purely resistive loads, at rated power, continuously, but really excel when it comes to reproducing short-duration waveforms and/or driving reactive loads.

For periods of up to one minute, the 8500 series amplifier can exceed continuous power ratings by as much as 2.5X. When the load to be driven is reactive, and most of the energy sent into the load is returned to the amplifier, the 8500 can reuse this returned energy to produce apparent power levels that are as much as 5X that of the amplifier’s continuous power ratings.

Scalable: The 8500 Series is scalable, available in power levels from a 4 kW, 3U, single-phase, bench top model to mini rack systems that can deliver up to 120 kVA of power into reactive loads at currents of up to 480 ARMS.

Configurable
A key to everyday product usability is quick and easy product (re)configuration. The 8500 Series provides all key configuration controls on the back panel of the unit. Configuration options available include:

  • GAIN: Fixed or variable gain (0 to 40)
  • CURRENT LIMIT: From 5% to rated limit (to protect fragile DUTs or where specified in the Standard)
  • DC CONTROL: DC enabled or DC blocked and DC Servo (for driving transformer-coupled loads or coils)
  • INPUT: Balanced and/or unbalanced
  • MODE: Voltage source or current source
  • OUTPUT IMPEDANCE: Variable from 0 to 1 ohm (Voltage mode)
  • SENSE: Correction to voltage drops to the load

Flexible and Powerful
The 8500 Series of amplifiers are very signal- and application-versatile, able to reproduce AC, DC and AC+DC wave forms at rated power into loads from a dead short to high impedance without re-configuring or selecting different operational modes.

8500 series amplifiers pack a lot of power into a small package. They are able to produce surge power ratings at up to 2.5X continuous and process apparent power at levels up to 5X the continuous power ratings. This makes an 8500 series amplifier an ideal choice for many difficult-to-drive reactive loads.

This combination of abilities, flexibility, and ease-of-use makes 8500 series amplifiers a singular solution for many common and some previously unsolvable amplifier applications. 8500 series amplifiers can be used for EMC conducted immunity testing, MIL-PRF capacitor tests, DC automotive dropout testing and as a variable AC source for ISO 61000, Aviation and Power Quality Measurements.

8500 Series

Wide-Bandwidth,
High-Power Switch-Mode Amplifiers

AE Techron’s 8500 Series amplifiers are 400Vp, low-noise, DC-to-50 kHz switch-mode amplifiers. The 8500 series provides a unique combination of the advantages of switch-mode and linear amplifiers. Switch-mode efficiency is combined with a low noise floor and THD, while also benefitting from high slew rates and wide bandwidth. The 8500 series is also able to safely drive both reactive and resistive loads of varying impedances with no loss in rated output power.

Key Performance Capabilities:

  • Bandwidth: DC to 50 kHz
  • Voltage: 0 to 250 VRMS; 0 to 350 VDC
  • Slew rate: Up to 80 V/µs
  • Current: Up to 80 to 480 ARMS*
  • Distortion: <0.2%
  • Power: 4 kW to 24 kW*
  • Power levels up to 5X rated power when driving reactive loads
  • High power efficiency and density 

*Models available with output power from 4 kW to 24 kW (capable of up to 120 kVA).

Output

 

CONTINUOUS AC OUTPUT CURRENT

CONTINUOUS DC OUTPUT CURRENT*
VOLTS RMS 8504 8508 8512 8516 8520 8524 VOLTS DC 8504 8508 8512 8516 8520 8524
60 60 120 180 240 300 360 13.5 80 160 240 320 400 480
120 32 64 96 128 160 192 24 80 160 240 320 400 480
230 10 20 30 40 50 60 48 75 150 225 300 375 425
 

Note: 8504 power ratings shown are for unit configured for 240VAC. At output voltages above 90VAC, units confirgured for 120VAC mains input may be breaker limited. Contact AE Techron for 120VAC performance ratings. Performance data is for a purely resistive load; performance will be improved into loads that are partially or completely reactive.

Performance

8500 Series Voltage vs. Current
8500 Series Apparent Power vs. Time
8500 Frequency Response
8500 Burst Power
8504 THD plus Noise

Common Data (all models)

Operating Modes: AC, DC and AC + DC
Frequency, AC Mode Output (-3 dB): DC - 50 kHz
Max Voltage Ranges (no load),
   AC:
0 - 260 VRMS
   AC + DC: 0 - ±400 VP
Load Regulation (full scale): <0.025%, DC to 100 Hz; <0.05%, 10 Hz to 10 kHz
Line Regulation (full scale): <0.1% for 10% line change
External Sense: Voltage-drop compensation sense line
Harmonic Distortion (80 kHz, low-passed): Less than 0.3% from 10 Hz to 30 kHz; 0.5% up to 50 kHz

Harmonic Distortion (30 kHz, low-passed): Less than 0.1% from 10 Hz to 50 kHz
DC Offset: <10 mV
Distortion: <0.2%
Voltage Slew Rate: Load dependent; up to 80V per µs, typically 10 µs to 30 µs for 10% to 90% of full-scale change depending on load and power
Efficiency: 85%, typical
Power Factor: .72, typical
Source Impedance: 3 mΩ + 3 µH
Cooling: Internal forced-air fans
Protection: Over/under voltage, over current, over temperature

Input, Signal In,
   Unbalanced:
BNC connector
   Balanced: Terminal strip
Output: 3/8-inch high-current post connectors
Operating Environment,
   Temperature:
5 °C to 50 °C (41 °F to 122 °F);
   Maximum output power derated above 30 °C (86 °F)
   Humidity: Maximum relative humidity 80% for temperatures
   up to 31 °C decreasing linearly to 50% relative humidity at 40 °C
   Altitude: 3000 m Maximum
   Environment: Indoor Use Only, Pollution degree 2
Equipment Class: Group 1 Class A
Transient Overvoltage: Overvoltage Category II

 

This product bears
the CE mark

Models

8504 amplifier

 

8504

Max Continuous Output Current: 80A RMS
Surge Rating: 2X power at up to 400 VP or 150A
Apparent Power Rating: Up to 5X continuous power rating at up to 400 VP or 150A
Supply Voltage: Single-phase, 208V ±10%, 30A, 50/60 Hz; 230V/240V ±10%, 30A version available
Dimensions (HxWxD): 5.25 x 19.0 x 25.26 in. (13.34 x 48.26 x 64.16 cm)
Weight: 84 lbs. (38.1 kg)

8508 amplifier

8508

Max Continuous Output Current: 160A RMS
Surge Rating: 2X power at up to 400 VP or 300A
Apparent Power Rating: Up to 5X continuous power rating at up to 400 VP or 300A
Supply Voltage: Three-phase, 208V ±10%, 30A, 50/60 Hz; 400V ±10%, 30A version available. .
Dimensions (HxWxD): 35.05 x 22.56 x 31.56 inches (89.03 x 57.3 x 80.16 cm)
Weight: Appx. 290 lbs. (131.5 kg)

8512 amplifier

8512

Max Continuous Output Current: 240A RMS
Surge Rating: 2X power at up to 400 VP or 450A
Apparent Power Rating: Up to 5X continuous power rating at up to 400 Vor 450A
Supply Voltage: Three-phase, 208V ±10%, 30A, 50/60 Hz; 400V ±10%, 30A version available.
Dimensions (HxWxD): 35.05 x 22.56 x 31.56 inches (89.03 x 57.3 x 80.16 cm)
Weight: Appx. 370 lbs. (167.8 kg)

8516 amplifier

8516

Max Continuous Output Current: 320A RMS
Surge Rating: 2X power at up to 400 VP or 600A
Apparent Power Rating: Up to 5X continuous power rating at up to 400 Vor 600A
Supply Voltage: Three-phase, 208V ±10%, 60A, 50/60 Hz; 400V ±10%, 60A version available.
Dimensions (HxWxD): 42.05 x 22.56 x 31.56 inches (106.81 x 57.3 x 80.16 cm)
Weight: Appx. 460 lbs. (208.7 kg)

8520 amplifier

8520

Max Continuous Output Current: 400A RMS
Surge Rating: 2X power at up to 400 VP or 750A
Apparent Power Rating: Up to 5X continuous power rating at up to 400 VP or 750A
Supply Voltage: Three-phase, 208V ±10%, 60A, 50/60 Hz; 400V ±10%, 60A version available.
Dimensions (HxWxD): 45.80 x 22.56 x 31.56 inches (116.33 x 57.3 x 80.16 cm)
Weight: Appx. 540 lbs. (244.9 kg)

8524 amplifier

8524

Max Continuous Output Current: 480A RMS
Surge Rating: 2X power at up to 400 VP or 900A
Apparent Power Rating: Up to 5X continuous power rating at up to 400 VP or 900A
Supply Voltage: Three-phase, 208V ±10%, 60A, 50/60 Hz; 400V ±10%, 60A version available.
Dimensions (HxWxD): 51.05 x 22.56 x 31.56 inches (129.67 x 57.3 x 80.16 cm)
Weight: Appx. 620 lbs. (281.2 kg)

Note: 8508, 8512, 8516, 8520 and 8524 model dimensions and weights are subject to change.

Controls, Indicators, and Connectors

8504 Front Panel
8504 Back Panel

Configuration Settings

DIP Settings

 

DB9 Pinouts Settings

Downloads

8500 Datasheet

8500 Series Datasheet

Complete technical specifications

8504 Manual

8504 Manual

For model 8504 amplifiers

8504 Manual - CE Marked

8504 Manual (CE)

For CE-marked 8504 amplifiers

8500 Series Manual

8500 Series Manual

For models 8508, 8512, 8516 and 8520 amplifiers

Configuration Settings

Configuration Settings

DIP Switch Settings and DB9 Pinouts for 8000 series amplifiers

STEP file for chassis

Step File for Chassis

For 8300, 8500, and 8700 series amplifiers

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