NL3-Class ATE DC Electronic Loads

The Keysight EL4900 Series regenerative DC electronic loads support power conversion and energy storage testing in research and development, design validation, and production environments. These programmable, single-input loads combine compact construction with integrated measurement and control features to help engineers characterize devices under a range of operating conditions. The series offers power ratings from 1.2 kW to 12 kW, voltage rating options from 10 V to 1500 V, and model-dependent current ratings up to 720 A. Compact 1U and 2U form factors help teams make efficient use of rack space.

A regenerative architecture returns absorbed energy to the AC mains, helping reduce facility power consumption, heat dissipation, and cooling requirements during load testing. Regeneration takes place automatically when the instrument sinks current, without additional programming. The system monitors the AC grid and synchronizes before returning power. This approach supports test facilities seeking to manage operating costs while evaluating power electronics and energy storage devices.

Flexible operating modes allow engineers to configure the load for different test requirements. The EL4900 Series supports constant voltage, constant current, constant resistance, and constant power operation, along with combined modes for more complex loading conditions. These capabilities help users apply suitable load behavior when evaluating device performance, operating limits, and responses to changing electrical conditions. Built-in sequencing also supports coordinated load turn-on and turn-off across multiple instruments.

Integrated voltage and current measurements provide insight into device behavior through averaged readings and digitized captures. Averaged measurements support steady-state characterization, while digitizing functions capture dynamic voltage or current profiles. Built-in power, amp-hour, and watt-hour calculations help simplify power and energy analysis. Engineers can use these functions to assess device performance and storage behavior as part of a broader test workflow.

For dynamic testing, the series includes step, arbitrary waveform, and list functions. Step operation changes a voltage or current setting in response to a trigger. Constant dwell arbitrary waveforms support up to 65,535 data points, with a shared dwell setting from 1 millisecond to 3,600 seconds. Lists support up to 200 steps, each with an individual dwell time, and can advance through received triggers. These features support repeatable load profiles for battery and power electronics testing, including applications that require evaluation under transient conditions.

Built-in protection functions include overvoltage, overcurrent, overpower, overtemperature, and voltage transient drop protection. For applications requiring greater capacity, primary and secondary operation allows compatible loads to function as a single programmed system. Up to 16 units can be connected in parallel, with configurations supporting total power up to 192 kW. Parallel configurations must meet the model, voltage rating, and firmware compatibility requirements described in the datasheet.

Standard LAN, USB, and CAN interfaces, together with optional GPIB, RS-232, and analog control, support integration into automated test systems. A built-in web interface enables remote control through a browser over LAN. The optional PW9252A PathWave Advanced Power Control and Analysis application adds instrument control, waveform creation, measurement logging, and analysis functions. It can control and analyze data from up to 10 EL4900 Series loads simultaneously. The datasheet also provides model specifications, supplemental characteristics, AC input requirements, dimensions, ordering information, and accessories to help engineers select and integrate an appropriate configuration.