AMETEK programmable power expands Asterion line of AC power sources

SAN DIEGO, CA—AMETEK Programmable Power, a provider of programmable AC and DC power test solutions, has added two new models to its Asterion line of AC power sources.

The Asterion 4503 supplies AC and DC output power up to 4,500 VA or 4,500 W, and the Asterion 6003 supplies up to 6,000 VA or 6,000 W. Both units come in a 4U chassis and can supply single- or three-phase output power.

Like the lower-power 1U and 2U models, Asterion Models 4503 and 6003 offer a compelling combination of intelligence, performance, and modularity that make them the most adaptable and affordable platform available today.

The key to Asterion’s outstanding performance is AMETEK’s iX2 current-doubling technology. With iX2, as the output voltage decreases from the maximum value to one-half the maximum value, the available output current increases up to two times the rated output current. This allows Asterion to maintain maximum power through the widest range of voltages. As a result, iX2 current-doubling technology eliminates the need to buy multiple sources or overpowered sources to run tests at different voltage levels, such as when performing low line voltage testing.

Asterion offers wide AC and DC output voltage ranges up to 400 Vac and 500 Vdc. Load and line regulation are +/-0.025% and +/-0.015%, respectively. This makes the Asterion more versatile and accurate than most other AC power sources available today.

Other unique Asterion benefits include Auto-Paralleling and Clock/Lock. With auto-paralleling, users can combine up to six units to achieve 36 kVA of output power. One unit becomes the master while the rest serve as auxiliary units. The clock/lock feature allows users to easily configure multi-phase systems, such as split-phase, three-phase, or even higher phase count systems. This allows users to purchase only the power they need today and then easily add more power and/or phases later as required. That scalability, along with the ability to expand easily as required, helps protect the value of the user’s initial investment and allows additional capital spending to be deferred until needed.

In addition, test engineers will appreciate the Asterion AC source’s ease of use. AMETEK developed an entirely new user interface for this platform. The intuitive, touch-screen interface, not found on other AC sources, allows users to quickly and easily set up the source and run tests. The Asterion offers a complete avionics test suite as an option, with a programmable frequency between 16Hz and 5000 Hz.

This powerful set of features allows Asterion to be used in both the lab and in ATE systems. If the Asterion is used as part of an ATE system, test engineers can order it without a front panel, which offers significant savings.

Asterion comes with standard LXI LAN, USB, and RS-232 interfaces. An optional GPIB interface is also available. Intuitive Virtual Panels control GUI software comes bundled with the instrument for easy remote control from a computer. Included drivers allow test engineers to quickly integrate the unit into ATE systems.