B&K Precision 8542B Programmable DC Electronic Load

Overview

The B&K Precision 8542B is a programmable DC electronic load in the 8500B Series, designed for testing and evaluating DC power supplies, DC-DC converters, batteries, battery chargers, and photovoltaic arrays. Operating in constant current (CC), constant voltage (CV), constant resistance (CR), or constant power (CW) modes, it features a compact benchtop form factor with transient mode speeds up to 10 kHz.

Key Features

• Input power: 150 W, rated voltage: 150 V, rated current: 30 A
• CC/CV/CR/CW operating modes
• 16-bit voltage and current measurement system (0.1 mV / 0.1 mA resolution)
• Transient mode up to 10 kHz in CC mode
• List mode for custom step sequences
• SCPI and 8500 series backwards-compatible protocol
• Stores up to 100 instrument settings
• Adjustable slew rate in CC mode
• Flexible triggering via front panel, external input, timer, or bus
• Built-in battery test function with cut-off voltage and capacity settings
• OCP/OPP/OTP and reverse voltage (LRV/RRV) protection
• Remote sense and short-circuit test capability
• Dual thermostatically controlled fans
• Integrated meter for voltage, current, and power display
• Multi-type input terminals (banana plugs or spade connectors)

Applications

• DC power supply testing and validation
• DC-DC converter evaluation
• Battery and battery charger testing
• Photovoltaic array characterization
• Production line load testing
• Laboratory power source validation