A bipolar power supply, also known as a four-quadrant power supply, can source and sink current at both positive and negative voltages. When voltage and current have the same polarity (sign), the unit is sourcing power (source operation). When they have opposite polarities, it is sinking power (sink operation). In addition to steady DC output, they can generate various AC waveforms, such as sine and arbitrary waves, at high speeds.
At Matsusada Precision, we differentiate our products as follows: A bipolar power supply refers to a four-quadrant power supply with a built-in signal generator. In contrast, a bipolar amplifier is a unit that amplifies an external input signal. Bipolar amplifiers capable of high-voltage output are also classified as high-voltage amplifiers. When selecting a bipolar power supply or amplifier, it is crucial to choose a model that meets or exceeds the required output power, frequency bandwidth, and response speed.
The four quadrants visualize the directions of the voltages and current, and they represent the following four states.
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Quadrant I (+V, +I): Sourcing power with positive voltage and current (operates as a standard positive power supply).
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Quadrant II (+V, -I): Sinking power with positive voltage and negative current (operates as a positive electronic load).
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Quadrant III (-V, -I): Sourcing power with negative voltage and current (operates as a negative power supply).
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Quadrant IV (-V, +I): Sinking power with negative voltage and positive current (operates as a negative electronic load).
