In today’s rapidly evolving electric and electronic industries, there is a growing demand for advanced, high-performance power testing systems. To meet this demand, Kikusui’s PXB Series of bidirectional DC power supplies offers an exceptional solution, delivering high power output, efficiency and versatility for modern test environments. These units redefine testing capabilities for applications in electric vehicles, renewable energy, DC/DC converters and high-powered industrial machinery.
A Powerhouse in a Compact Size
The PXB Series packs a 20-kW high-capacity output into a sleek 3U-sized chassis, making it a power-dense option for labs and test environments with limited space. Despite its compact form factor, the PXB is designed to handle both power sourcing and regeneration, with output voltage options ranging from 50 V to 1500 V. Whether you’re performing advanced power fluctuation testing or need continuous high-power performance, the PXB is designed to deliver.
Key Features of the PXB Series
- Dual Power Capabilities
One of the standout features of the PXB Series is its ability to operate bidirectionally. It not only provides power to connected devices but can also regenerate excess energy back into the AC line. This makes it ideal for applications such as battery charging and discharging, motor testing and DC/AC inverter evaluations. The unit can seamlessly switch between source and sink modes, maximising energy efficiency and cutting down on energy waste. In fact, the PXB achieves over 90 percent regenerative efficiency, a significant energy-saving feature in environments that continuously run high-power tests.
- High-Performance Parallel Operation
For applications that demand greater power, the PXB allows for up to 10 units to be operated in parallel, resulting in a total output of 200 kW. This flexibility makes it a perfect fit for testing large-scale electrical equipment such as industrial motors and renewable energy systems. With the automatic recognition function, users can easily configure multiple units, eliminating complex settings and allowing for streamlined integration in high-capacity systems.
- Customisable Testing Options
Engineers can fine-tune the PXB’s response speeds and slew rates to meet the specific requirements of different tests. Whether you’re simulating the behaviour of capacitive loads or performing aging tests on bidirectional DC/DC converters, the PXB delivers highly stable performance, even with large load fluctuations. Its fast rise and fall times (as low as 10 ms) also make it ideal for high-speed power fluctuation testing, something many conventional power supplies struggle with.
Model Specifications
The PXB Series offers four distinct models, each designed to meet a wide range of power testing requirements. The following table highlights the key specifications for each model:
| Model | Output Voltage | Output Current | Power | Interface |
| PXB20K-50 | 0 – 50 V | 0 – +/- 800 A | 20 kW | LAN, Isolated Analogue, Master Slave, RS232, USB, Digital I/O (NPN/PNP) |
| PXB20K-500 | 0 – 500 V | 0 – +/- 120 A | 20 kW | LAN, Isolated Analogue, Master Slave, RS232, USB, Digital I/O (NPN/PNP) |
| PXB20K-1000 | 0 – 1000 V | 0 – +/- 60 A | 20 kW | LAN, Isolated Analogue, Master Slave, RS232, USB, Digital I/O (NPN/PNP) |
| PXB20K-1500 | 0 – 1500 V | 0 – +/- 30 A | 20 kW | LAN, Isolated Analogue, Master Slave, RS232, USB, Digital I/O (NPN/PNP) |
Each model supports parallel operation, enabling the system to scale up to 200 kW by connecting up to 10 units. These models are suited for high-power applications where both sourcing and regeneration of energy are critical.
A Comprehensive Control Interface for Maximum Flexibility
Control and customisation are at the core of the PXB Series. With a touch panel display and various connectivity options, including LAN, USB, RS232C and external analogue controls, the PXB ensures seamless integration with any testing setup. The pressure-sensitive touch display allows users to control the unit even while wearing gloves, which is especially useful in industrial settings.
Additionally, the PXB’s advanced control features include:
- Sequence Function: The ability to program up to 30 custom test programs, each with up to 10,000 steps, makes the PXB a versatile tool for automated, complex testing sequences.
- Pulse and Sine Functions: Engineers can simulate dynamic power changes with these functions, which allow for the execution of binary pulse operations or the smooth ramping of current in a sinusoidal pattern.
These features make it a go-to tool for industries ranging from electric vehicles to aerospace technology, where precise power control and testing are paramount.
Advanced Applications in Battery and Motor Testing
The PXB Series shines when applied to critical sectors like battery testing and motor evaluation. These applications demand not only high power but also precise control and the ability to regenerate power, making the PXB an indispensable tool.
Battery Testing
The PXB’s DC SEAM mode allows for smooth bidirectional current flow without needing to alter voltage values during charge and discharge cycles. This feature is particularly advantageous for testing lithium-ion and other advanced batteries, ensuring that energy flows accurately during charging and that excess energy during discharge is captured and returned to the grid.
- Charge/Discharge Cycles: Battery testing often involves running thousands of charge/discharge cycles to simulate long-term use. The PXB can handle these processes with precision, ensuring that each cycle is carefully controlled to avoid overshoots or undershoots that could distort data.
- Real-World Simulations: For electric vehicle (EV) batteries, the PXB can simulate regenerative braking by switching between charge and discharge modes seamlessly, replicating real-world conditions. This capability is essential for validating battery performance and lifespan under varied conditions.
Additionally, the PXB can simulate a variety of I-V characteristics, allowing engineers to test how different types of batteries perform under specific loads, environmental conditions or stress scenarios. By enabling programmable discharge rates and customisable test cycles, it provides valuable insights into battery behaviour, capacity retention and failure points.
Motor Testing
In the field of motor testing, particularly for electric vehicles (EVs) and industrial motors, the PXB’s bidirectional capability is key to understanding the performance of motors under various operational states.
- Dynamic Motor Load Testing: Motors, especially those in EVs, constantly switch between motoring (power consumption) and regeneration (power generation during braking). The PXB supports this dual role, allowing for precise testing of motor efficiency, power consumption and energy recovery systems.
- High-Speed Response: With a rise/fall time of just 10 ms, the PXB can handle rapid power changes typically encountered during motor startup, acceleration or deceleration. This makes it ideal for evaluating motors used in fast-changing environments such as transportation or manufacturing automation.
Motor performance, particularly for inverter-based systems, can be thoroughly tested using the PXB’s capability to handle sudden load fluctuations without losing stability. Engineers can measure performance parameters like torque, efficiency and thermal characteristics, ensuring the motor meets industry standards.
Optimised for Electric Vehicles and Power Electronics
As industries shift toward electrification, testing environments must evolve to handle high-powered components like inverters, batteries and electric motors. The PXB Series’ DC SEAM mode allows smooth, bidirectional current flow during charge and discharge cycles, without overshoot or undershoot issues. This makes it ideal for EV battery testing, ensuring reliable performance in both development and production stages.
With electric vehicles driving the demand for high-power testing equipment, the PXB Series supports the industry’s need for reliable, efficient and safe testing processes. The ability to simulate regenerative braking and other real-world automotive scenarios provides engineers with the tools to accurately validate component performance.
Energy Efficiency and Sustainability
The PXB Series aligns with modern energy-saving initiatives, particularly in green technology sectors. Its regenerative capabilities allow users to recycle energy, drastically reducing the overall power consumption of the testing environment. By converting the excess energy from devices such as motors or batteries into reusable power, the PXB minimises heat output and carbon footprint, supporting the global push toward carbon neutrality.
Safety and Reliability Features
Safety is a top priority for Kikusui and the PXB Series is equipped with several protection functions, ensuring the safety of both the equipment and operators:
- Overvoltage (OVP), Overcurrent (OCP), and Undervoltage (UVP) Protection: These features prevent potential damage caused by electrical surges or drops, providing peace of mind during continuous operation.
- Temperature Control: Designed for rugged use, the PXB can operate at full capacity in environments as hot as 50°C, with no loss in performance. This makes it suitable for demanding industrial setups that often experience high ambient temperatures.
Conclusion: Driving the Future of Power Testing
The Kikusui PXB Series bidirectional DC power supplies are more than just power equipment, they are the foundation of a new generation of testing systems. Combining high capacity, precision and sustainability, the PXB Series meets the needs of industries striving for greater efficiency and advanced technologies. Whether you are developing electric vehicles, testing renewable energy systems or evaluating industrial motors, the PXB Series provides the power and control you need to innovate with confidence.
