PBZ Series Intelligent Bi-Polar Power Supplies (Switching/Series Regulated, CV/CC)
The PBZ series is a bipolar type DC regulated power source that can continuously change both + and – polarities passing through 0 without changing the output terminal.
By adopting a “Switching + Linear” system, the PBZ is able to realize both drastic weight reduction as well as high speed and low noise operation. Since operation covers 4 quadrants, power can be both supplied (source) and absorbed (sink). The PBZ can also drive inductive or capacitive loads. The unit also equips a signal generator function which enables waveform and sequence creation. The PBZ is also capable of synchronized operation which is required for voltage variation tests, and it can also be expanded for large current applications through master-slave parallel operation.
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- Description
- Frequently Asked Questions
Description
Features:
- Peak current output 6 times the rating (PBZ20-20A)
- Low ripple and noise (in CV mode)
- Waveform generation function
- Sequence function
- Synchronized operation function
- Parallel operation function
- Unipolar mode
- Control via browser (”with LAN” model)
- CV/CC selectable mode
- Memory function
- Protection functions (Over voltage/Over current/Over heat/ Power limit)
- Fine setting
- Key lock
- Remote sensing
- Output voltage/current monitor
- External voltage/resistance control
- External signal input
- Status signal output
- Rack system (PBZ SR/BP series)
What makes a bipolar power supply different from a standard DC power supply?
A bipolar supply moves between positive and negative output voltages in a continuous sweep through zero, with no relay click and no terminal swap. A standard unipolar DC supply stays fixed on one polarity. The PBZ manages this through four-quadrant operation, sourcing and sinking current as needed.
The difference shows up most in voltage variation testing, where the supply has to reverse polarity smoothly, and in motor drive simulation, where switching between two separate unipolar supplies would inject glitches into the measurement. The PBZ is available through Electrotest’s Power Source AC/DC range.
What does the “switching + linear” architecture in the Kikusui PBZ series mean in practice?
The PBZ uses a switching stage to handle the bulk of the power conversion, then a linear stage downstream to clean up noise and ripple. You get a unit that is much lighter than a traditional linear bipolar supply, with output noise that is close to what you would expect from a pure linear design.
That noise floor matters when the PBZ is powering sensitive analogue circuits or precision actuators, where supply noise shows up in the measurement. Engineers who also need to monitor power quality in those setups will find compatible tools in Electrotest’s PQA and Power Loggers range.
Can the Kikusui PBZ bipolar power supply drive inductive and capacitive loads?
Yes, and that is not a given with bipolar supplies. The PBZ’s four-quadrant operation means it absorbs the energy that reactive loads kick back, rather than letting it spike on the bus or dump it as heat. That keeps the output clean regardless of load type.
Motor windings, electromagnetic actuators, supercapacitors, and battery simulation all fall into this category. For test benches that also need an instrument on the sink side, Electrotest’s AC and DC electronic loads work alongside the PBZ in complete source-and-sink setups.
Does the Kikusui PBZ series support synchronised multi-unit operation?
Yes. Multiple PBZ units can be synchronised so their outputs change simultaneously in a defined phase or amplitude relationship. The series also supports master-slave parallel operation for applications that need more current than a single unit provides.
That synchronisation is what you need for three-phase power system simulation and grid-tied inverter testing, where inter-channel timing errors translate directly into inaccurate test results. The PBZ is part of Electrotest’s Kikusui product range, which also covers unipolar DC and AC sources for broader test system builds.
What built-in signal generation capability does the Kikusui PBZ include?
The PBZ has an internal signal generator for waveform and sequence programming from the front panel or over a remote interface. It can output ramp, step, sinusoidal, and arbitrary voltage profiles on its own, without an external generator feeding its control input.
For production line testing where the same voltage sequence runs on every unit under test, that built-in capability keeps the test rack simpler. Teams working in high-throughput environments will find the production line testing category at Electrotest has a range of instruments suited to automated rigs.
