Data Sheet
DC Electronic Loads
8500 series
2400W
600 W - 1200 W
300 W
Versatile & Economical DC Electronic
Loads
The 8500 series Programmable DC Electronic
Loads can be used for testing and evaluating a
variety of DC power sources. Their wide
operating ranges of up to 500 V and 240 A,
flexible operating modes and excellent
measurement accuracy make the 8500 series
well suited for characterizing DC Power
supplies, DC-DC Converters, batteries, fuel
cells and solar cells.
The loads can operate in CC, CV, CR or CP
mode while voltage/current or resistance/power
values are measured and displayed in real time.
Load terminals are isolated and floating. Over
temperature, over power, over voltage, over
current and reverse polarity protection will help
protect your valuable prototype and circuits.
The DC loads are easy to use. All parameters
can be set quickly and precisely from the front
panel, or programmed via RS232 or USB
interfaces.
The 8500 family offers 10 mode ls with a wide range of ratings
Model#
8500
8502
8510
8512
8514
8518
8520
8522
8524
8526
Power
300 W
300 W
600 W
600 W
1200 W
1200 W
2400 W
2400 W
5000 W
5000 W
Ope rating Voltage
0.1 - 120 V
0.1 - 500 V
0.1 - 120 V
0.1 - 500 V
0.1 - 120 V
0.1 - 60 V
0.1 - 120 V
0.1 - 500 V
0.1 - 60 V
0.1 - 500 V
Rated C urrent
30 A
15 A
120 A
30 A
240 A
240 A
240 A
120 A
240 A
120 A
When selecting a DC load, it is important to
consider not only voltage and current
requirements, but also power ratings. The power
used when testing must fall within the hatched
region for the appropriate DC load.
Some applications may require high voltage/low
current and low voltage/high current which a
single load may not be able to handle. B&K
Precision’s broad range of DC loads will allow
you to select the optimal model for your
requirements.
Inpu t voltage
Rated power
I npu t cu rrent
Technical data subject to change
© B&K Precision Corp. 2014
w w w.bk prec ision.c om
Tel.: 714.921.9095
DC Electronic Loads
Models 8500, 8502, 8510, 8512, 8514, 8518, 8520, 8522, 8524, 8526
Features
I
Constant current (CC), resistance (CR), voltage
(CV) and power (CP) operation
voltage and current range, 0 to 500 V, 0
I
Wide
to 240 A (5000 W max)
I
Low
minimum operating voltage of < 0.1 V
and minimum input resistance of 5 mΩ (model
8518) allowing the load to sink high current at
low voltages, required for fuel and solar cell
applications
I
Selected
models operate up to 500 V, suitable
for high voltage applications
I
Built-in
I
Short
transient generator
high resolution (0.1 mA/1 mV) voltage
Applications:
I
DC
circuit test
power supply testing
of rechargeable batteries. A
I
Built-in
and current measurement (models 8500 &
8502)
I
Bright,
I
Characterization
easy to read display (VFD technology)
battery test mode is provided that will measure
the ampere*hour (A*hr) characteristic of a
battery
I
Fuel
I
High
I
Over-Current/Over-Voltage/Over-Power/Over-
Temperature Protection
I
RS232
to TTL, USB to TTL serial
and solar cell test
voltage applications
converter cables and application software
included
I
List
mode operation for increased throughput.
testing mode to provide A*hr rating
triggering: Create trigger events by
Low voltage operation
The 8500 series can operate well below 1 V
which is important for low voltage application
such as fuel cell and solar cell testing. All models
can regulate (provide a stable input) down to
0.1 V. Model 8518, due to its particularly low
input resistance, can operate at full scale current
of 240 A at 1.2 V (see image)
I
Battery
of battery (ending voltage level is adjustable)
I
Flexible
front panel keystroke, back panel TTL signal,
or software
I
Remote
voltage sensing to compensate for the
effect of voltage drop in wires.
I
Store
25 instrument setups
fans allow
I
Thermostatically-controlled
operation in quiet environments with minimal
disruption
I
All
models are rack mountable. Compact 300
Typical minimum operating voltage at full scale current:
8500
1.05 V
8502
3V
8510
1.8 V
8512
3V
8514
1.92 V
8518
1.2 V
8520
10.8 V
8522
3.6 V
8524
1.56 V
8526
1.8 V
W and 600 W models for bench use
2
w w w.bk prec ision.c om
DC Electronic Loads
Models 8500, 8502, 8510, 8512, 8514, 8518, 8520, 8522, 8524, 8526
L
Front panel
1
2
The numeric keys and rotary knob provide a
convenient interface for setting the operating
mode and desired current/voltage/resistance
levels quickly and precisely. Voltage and current
can be set to a maximum resolution of 1 mV and
0.1 mA respectively (models 8500 and 8502
only). Up to 25 different instrument setups can
be stored and recalled from internal memory.
High re solution, easy to read display
Displays set values and measured values.
Current/voltage and power/resistance displays
can be toggled. Display resolution for current
and voltage is user-selectable. Maximum
resolution for model 8500 and 8502 is 1 mV/
0.1 mA.
Convenie nt d ata e ntry
Rotary knob for quick analog-style control. Turn
to adjust a setting value. Press to toggle
measurement display mode.
Numer ic keypad
Conveniently enter set values directly and access
secondary functions.
1
)
3
4
5
Hex-head sc rew t erminals
2)
Function keys
Activate current, voltage, power, or resistance
modes and scroll through menus and options.
Front panel load terminals
Connect to device under test. Hex-head screw
4)
terminals are used for models 8518 and
8520 – 8526 to connect wires.
3)
5)
L
Rear panel
Air vents
Temperature-controlled fan expels air through
these vents to keep the temperature constant
inside the system.
Trigge r and remote sensing terminal
block
Connect sensing lines to this terminal to
compensate for voltage drops due to load wire
resistance. This terminal block also contains the
two connections for the remote TTL trigger input
signal.
1
Interface connection
Serial interface connector for RS232 or USB
communication.
Voltage switch
Line voltage selection switch (110 VAC or 220
VAC).
2
1)
3
)
4)
2)
3
4
3
w w w.bk prec ision.c om
DC Electronic Loads
Models 8500, 8502, 8510, 8512, 8514, 8518, 8520, 8522, 8524, 8526
L
Flexible operating modes
C C, CR, C V and CP mod e
In Constant Current (CC) mode, the load will
sink a current according to the programmed
current value regardless of the input voltage.
(CC) mode can be used for load regulation
testing of DC power supplies or for characteriz-
ing the discharge profile of a battery.
Constant Power (CP) mode simulates a load
whose power consumption is independent of the
applied voltage. Constant Power (CP) mode is
useful for battery testing and simulating a
realistic discharge curve.
In Constant Voltage (CV) mode, the load will
attempt to sink enough current to control the
source voltage to the programmed value. This
mode is suitable for testing battery chargers.
In Constant Resistance (CR) mode, the load will
sink a current linearly proportional to the input
voltage in accordance with the programmed
resistance. Unlike conventional resistors, the
load resistance stays constant regardless of the
power level.
Transient g enerator
The 8500 series offers a variable frequency
generator which can be used in all operating
modes. The DC load will toggle between 2
preset levels at a frequency between 0.1 Hz to
1 kHz, either continuously or controlled by a
trigger.
Trigg ere d ope ration
Triggering is used to allow synchronization of the
DC Load's behavior with other events. You can
generate a trigger event by front panel keystroke,
by applying an external TTL signal to the back
panel terminal or by sending a commands over
the serial bus. The trigger can be used in pulse
mode, transient mode, list mode and works in
CC, CR, CV and CP modes.
Model 8500
L
Remote control & application software
The DC loads can be remotely controlled from
any PC with USB or RS232 interface, allowing
the user to fully program and monitor all
parameters. RS232 to TTL and USB to TTL
serial converter cables are included. For users
wanting to write their own custom software, a set
of example programs are available for download
on the B&K Precision website.
List Mode
A list of command sequences can be stored in
non-volatile memory and executed independently
of a computer. Execution in list mode greatly
reduces command processing time and computer
interaction during product testing. The command
sequence can be entered manually from the front
panel or downloaded from a PC via RS232 or
USB interface.
Application Software
The included Application Software supports front
panel emulation of the load and includes a
battery test application which provides A*hr
rating of a battery and adjustable ending voltage
levels (safety voltage).
An example of battery discharge characteristics of an AA alkaline battery.
Whether you are designing a device with
Nickel-Metal Hydride or Lithium-Ion batteries,
the 8500 series have the capabilities to test their
characteristics.
4
w w w.bk prec ision.c om
DC Electronic Loads
Models 8500, 8502, 8510, 8512, 8514, 8518, 8520, 8522, 8524, 8526
Specifications
L
Models 8500 & 8502 (300 W)
Parameter
Voltage
Input rating
Current
Power
8500
0 to 120 V
1 mA to 30 A
300 W
8502
0 to 500 V
1 mA to 15 A
Parameter
8500
CV Mode
Regulation
CC Mode
Regulation
Current Measurement
Voltage Measurement
0-120 V
Range
8502
0.1-18 V
0.1 – 120 V
0–3A
0 – 30 A
0–3A
0 – 30 A
0-18 V
0 – 500 V
0.1 – 500 V
0–3A
0 – 15 A
0–3A
0 – 15 A
Accuracy
±(0.05%+0.02% FS)
±(0.05%+0.025% FS)
±(0.1%+0.1% FS)
±(0.2%+0.15% FS)
±(0.1% + 0.1% FS)
8500: ±(0.2%+0.15% FS)
8502: ±(0.2%+0.3% FS)
±(0.02% + 0.02% FS)
±(0.02% + 0.025% FS)
Resolution
1 mV
10 mV
0.1 mA
1 mA
0.1 mA
1 mA
1 mV
10 mV
L
Models 8510/8512/8514/8518 (600 W & 1200 W)
Parameter
Input rating
Voltage
Current
Power
8510
0 – 120 V
0 – 120 A
600 W
8512
0 – 500 V
0 – 30 A
8514
0 – 120 V
0 – 240 A
1200 W
8518
0 – 60 V
0 – 240 A
Parameter
8510
CV Mode
Regulation
CC Mode
Regulation
Current Measurement
Voltage Measurement
0-12 A
0-12 A
Range
8512
8514
0.1-18 V
0.1 V to Vmax
0-3 A
0 – max Current
0-3 A
0 – max. Current
0 – 18 V
0 - Vmax
0-24 A
0-24 A
Accuracy
8518
±(0.05%+0.02% FS)
±(0.05%+0.025% FS)
±(0.1%+0.1% FS)
±(0.2%+0.15% FS)
±(0.1% + 0.1% FS)
±(0.2%+0.15% FS)
8510/8514: (0.02% + 0.025% FS)
8512/8518: (0.02% + 0.02% FS)
±(0.02% + 0.025% FS)
Resolution
1 mV
10 mV
1 mA
10 mA
1 mA
10 mA
1 mV
10 mV
L
Models 8520/8522/8524/8526 (2400 W & 5000 W)
Parameter
Input rating
Voltage
Current
Power
8520
0 – 120 V
0 – 240 A
2400 W
8522
0 – 500 V
0 – 120 A
8524
0 – 60 V
0 – 240 A
5000 W
8526
0 – 500 V
0 – 120 A
Parameter
8520
CV Mode
Regulation
CC Mode
Regulation
Current Measurement
Range
8522
8524
8526
0.1-18 V
0.1 V to Vmax
0-12 A
0-24 A
0 – max Current
0-3 A
0-24 A
0 – max. Current
0 – 18 V
Accuracy
±(0.05%+0.02% FS)
±(0.05%+0.025% FS)
±(0.1%+0.1% FS)
±(0.2%+0.15% FS)
±(0.1% + 0.1% FS)
±(0.2%+0.15% FS)
8522/8526: (0.02% + 0.02% FS)
8520/8524: (0.02% + 0.025% FS)
±(0.02% + 0.025%FS)
Resolution
1 mV
10 mV
1 mA
10 mA
1 mA
10 mA
1 mV
10 mV
0-24 A
0-12 A
0-12 A
0-12 A
Voltage Measurement
0 - Vmax
5
w w w.bk prec ision.c om
