Programmable DC Electronic Loads & Load Banks
Precision load simulation, ultra-low voltage testing, high-speed dynamic transient response, and high-power energy recovery solutions for global electronics testing.
Advanced Programmable DC Electronic Loads for Power Conversion & Infrastructure Validation
Chroma programmable DC electronic loads provide precise, repeatable load simulation for verifying power supplies, batteries, DC-DC converters, EV chargers, fuel cells, solar equipment, and AI server power systems. By electronically controlling the current, voltage, and power drawn from a device under test (DUT), electronic loads enable global engineering teams to accurately analyze transient response, voltage regulation, protection functions, and long-term reliability under complex operating environments.
Over four decades of power measurement expertise allow Chroma to deliver one of the industry's most versatile DC load portfolios—ranging from compact benchtop units and modular mainframes to ultra-low-voltage high-current loads and megawatt-class regenerative load systems.
What is a Programmable DC Electronic Load?
A DC electronic load is an essential test instrument designed to safely absorb, dissipate, or recover power from DC output devices. Unlike passive resistive load banks, programmable electronic loads offer microsecond dynamic switching, flexible operating modes (Constant Current, Constant Voltage, Constant Resistance, Constant Power, and CZ Mode), and digital feedback interfaces required for R&D design verification and automated mass production testing.
DC Electronic Load Selection Matrix
Compare Chroma's core DC electronic load series based on power ratings, voltage thresholds, current capabilities, and primary application fit for global engineering laboratories.
| Product Series | Architecture | Power Capacity | Voltage Range | Max Current | Key Applications & Advantages |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 63000 Series | Compact Benchtop Load | 250W – 350W | Up to 150V | Up to 60A | Compact benchtop testing of power adapters, chargers, low-power DC-DC converters, and battery discharge qualification. |
| 6310/A Series | Multi-Channel Modular | 30W – 1,200W / Module | Up to 500V | Up to 240A | Multi-output AC/DC power supply testing, LED driver burn-in, multi-channel production test benches with synchronous loading. |
| 63600 Series | High-Density Modular | 100W – 400W / Module (2kW System) | Up to 600V | Up to 80A / Module | Server power supplies, ATX supplies, PC power systems, fuel cell characterization, and high-speed dynamic transient test. |
| 63202A-20 | Ultra-Low Voltage / High Current | 2,000W | 0.2V – 20V | Up to 2,000A | Point-of-Load (POL) converters, Voltage Regulator Modules (VRM/VRD), CPUs, GPUs, and ultra-low voltage AI accelerator testing. |
| 63200A Series | High-Power Standalone | 2kW – 24kW (Parallel to 240kW) | Up to 1,200V | Up to 2,000A | Heavy EV power electronics, high-voltage battery pack discharge, server power racks, fuel cell stacks, and telecom power. |
| 63700 Series | Regenerative Load System | 6kW – 18kW (Parallel to 180kW) | 600V / 1200V / 1800V | Up to 120A / Unit | EV energy recovery, high-voltage onboard chargers, EVSE testing, ESS battery cycling, reducing heat and operating energy expenses. |
| 63700H Series | High-Speed Regenerative System | 80kW – 120kW / Rack (Parallel to 1.2MW) | 80V / 1,000V | Up to 2,650A / Rack | Data center AI power shelves, high-density power racks, BBU testing, EDPP peak power profile evaluation with energy feedback. |
| 62000D Series | Bidirectional Power & Regen Load | 6kW – 45kW / Unit | Up to 2,000V | Up to 540A | Dual-quadrant power testing for bidirectional onboard chargers (BOBC), vehicle-to-grid (V2G) systems, and grid-tied energy storage. |
| Pactiv-R / LoadSlammer | AI GPU/FPGA Transient Simulator | 1.5kW High Transient | Dual 60V Channels | Up to 1,800A | High-slew-rate dynamic power integrity, transient step load, and power distribution network (PDN) validation for AI accelerators. |
* Note: Maximum voltage, current, and power levels depend on specific module configurations and master-slave parallel operations. Consult engineering support for tailored configurations.
Key Industry Applications for DC Electronic Loads
Engineered to satisfy demanding design validation (DVT), electrical safety compliance, quality assurance, and automated factory production requirements globally.
Power Conversion & Supplies
Accurate qualification of AC/DC power supplies, DC-DC converters, telecom rectifiers, and industrial adapters. Evaluate load regulation, efficiency maps, hold-up time, over-current protection (OCP), and short-circuit response.
AI Data Center & Server Power
High-density power testing for 48V/800V AI power shelves, GPU power delivery, and point-of-load converters. Simulate severe dynamic step loads, microsecond transients, and peak power spikes demanded by high-performance computing.
Battery Pack & BMS Testing
Controlled discharge testing for lithium-ion battery modules, EV packs, and energy storage systems (ESS). Measure capacity, C-rate performance, thermal behavior under load, and BMS fault detection circuitry.
Renewable Energy & Fuel Cells
Static and dynamic load characterization for hydrogen fuel cell stacks, photovoltaic array output validation, and microgrid power conditioning units under real-world ambient conditions.
Electric Vehicle & EVSE Testing
Performance validation for onboard chargers (OBC), DC fast-charging stations (EVSE), auxiliary DC-DC converters, and traction drive systems up to 1,200V architecture.
Automated Production Line Integration
High-speed GPIB, USB, Ethernet (LAN), and CAN interfaces allow seamless integration into automated test equipment (ATE) racks, accelerating throughput for automated manufacturing.
Eco-Friendly Regenerative Load Technology: Up to 93% Energy Recovery
Traditional electronic loads convert absorbed electrical power directly into high heat, requiring substantial air-conditioning and driving up operational energy expenses. Chroma's regenerative DC loads feed consumed energy back to the AC grid with up to 93% efficiency, dramatically reducing carbon emissions, laboratory thermal stress, and power costs for high-power burn-in facilities.
Require Expert Support for Your DC Load Testing Setup?
Our application engineers are available to review your testing parameters—including voltage, peak current, slew rate, energy recovery requirements, and software integration—to configure the optimal solution.
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