Here we introduce some applications based on Matsusada Precision's expertise and track record.
What is a Bipolar Power Supply?
A bipolar power supply is a four-quadrant power supply capable of both sourcing and sinking power. It operates in Constant Voltage (CV) and Constant Current (CC) modes. Models equipped with built-in function generators can output basic waveforms, such as sine and square waves, as well as arbitrary waveforms.
For more information, please see our Technical Note: "What is a Bipolar Power Supply? (Basic Knowledge)".
INDEX
Automobiles and Vehicles
Development and evaluation of bidirectional inverters and converters
Automotive power systems are shifting from 12 V to 48 V and higher voltages, driven by the rise of EVs and hybrid vehicles. This trend requires the redesign of various automotive components. To improve energy efficiency, bidirectional DC/DC converters are increasingly used to optimize regenerative power storage. Additionally, as vehicle electrification advances, there is a growing need for noise testing, including cranking waveform simulation. Bipolar power supplies are ideal for evaluating the noise immunity, thermal characteristics, and response speed of these components. Matsusada Precision offers a wide range of bipolar power supplies to meet these high-voltage and high-power testing requirements.
Performance required in this application: High power High speed High voltage
PointWhy Choose Matsusada Precision Bipolar Power Supplies?
Matsusada Precision offers a lineup of 147 models, including high-voltage and high-power options, allowing customers to select the exact specification for their application. Our high-power models deliver up to 2000 W from a single unit, enabling a compact configuration without the need for parallel connections often required by lower-power alternatives.
Development and testing of magnetic materials for motors
Bipolar power supplies are also used to develop and measure the hysteresis characteristics of magnetic materials. Hysteresis is a characteristic which has a large effect on the efficiency of EV motors. It is necessary to use a high-speed bipolar power supply to measure hysteresis characteristics smoothly and accurately.
Performance required in this application: High speedHigh voltage
Evaluation of ignition coils
Simulating cranking waveforms during starter motor operation is essential for testing ignition coils. As modern vehicles integrate increasingly complex electronic systems, high-speed bipolar power supplies are required to reproduce precise voltage fluctuations and dropouts. Matsusada Precision's bipolar power supplies feature memory functions, allowing users to store and recall specific waveforms for efficient testing.
Performance required in this application: High speed
Evaluation of the loss of copper and iron in the reactor of a large transformer
Bipolar power supplies are often used to evaluate and test the large transformers mounted on special vehicles. These transformers have copper windings. When a high-frequency voltage is used, copper loss occurs due to the so-called skin effect. In small transformers, the amount of copper lost is negligible. However, it is possible for larger transformers to save energy by reducing that loss. Bipolar power supplies are used for selecting the type of wires for reactors to reduce the loss of copper and iron.
Performance required in this application: High power
Development of current sensors and shunt resistors
As the popularity of HEV and EV automobiles, including special vehicles, increases the technology for monitoring electric current is becoming more important. Reduction of electric current waste is becoming a necessity, in order to extend the travel distance and travel time of automobiles. To achieve this, it is essential to improve the performance of the electric current sensors, which monitor the current flow from the batteries to various electrical and electronic devices in automobiles. Bipolar power supplies are well suited for evaluating the accuracy, response speed, and temperature of electric current sensors.
Performance required in this application: High power High speed High voltage
Research and development of motors and peripheral equipment
When evaluating motors with standard variable power supplies, counter-electromotive force (back EMF) can damage the power supply or cause failures. Traditionally, this required combining a power supply with an electronic load. Bipolar power supplies eliminate this need by naturally sinking power in four-quadrant operation. Matsusada Precision's compact, high-power models enable the evaluation of larger motors that were previously difficult to test with benchtop equipment.
Performance required in this application: High power High speed High voltage
Evaluation of electromagnetic valves
The operating speed of electromagnetic valves affects the fuel consumption of automobiles. Our bipolar power supply is capable of delivering a high-speed response to test the operation of electromagnetic valves.
Performance required in this application: High speed
Development and evaluation of connectors
Electronically-controlled automobiles contain a large number of cables and connectors arranged in a complicated fashion. Failure to evaluate noise and heat can lead to a serious accident. Bipolar power supplies are used to simulate various noise sources.
Performance required in this application: High power High speed
Simulation of cranking waveforms in special vehicles
It is necessary to simulate the cranking waveforms of different automobiles, including special vehicles. It is possible to simulate the cranking waveforms of various types of special vehicles using high power or high-speed bipolar power supply.
Performance required in this application: High power High speed
General electronic/electrical products
Development and evaluation of inverters and converters
Inverters and converters are widely used in a variety of industries, including home electric appliances, industrial equipment, and automobiles. Bipolar power supplies are used in the evaluation of such products, for example, when testing variations in the input and making measurements of efficiency.
Performance required in this application: High power High voltage
Development and evaluation of motors
If a motor is evaluated using a general purpose variable power supply, it could be damaged or fail due to the counter electromotive force. Bipolar power supplies can absorb any counter electromotive force which might occur while evaluating motors.
Performance required in this application: High power
Magnetic field generation
Bipolar power supplies are also used in evaluating magnetic sensors like hall devices to measure the magnetic characteristics of semiconductors with next-generation memory Magnetoresistive random-access memory (MRAM) and to test the operation of electromagnetic valves.
Performance required in this application: High power High speed
Development and evaluation of LEDs, power LEDs, and Laser diodes
Bipolar power supplies are used to turn LED or LD devices on and off at high speed and perform long-term life tests while suppressing heat buildup.
Performance required in this application: High speed
PointHere is why Matsusada Precision bipolar power supplies are selected
The power supplied to optical semiconductors is relatively small. Our benchtop bipolar power supply, available only from Matsusada Precision, can be used for this application. There is no need for large power supply equipment. Our benchtop bipolar power supply makes it possible to perform simple tests that require 60 W or less.
Development and evaluation of connectors
There is a growing number of cases where the thermal efficiency of connectors can be improved to save energy. Bipolar power supplies respond at high speed, allowing thermal evaluations before and immediately after the application of a voltage.
Performance required in this application: High power High speed
Development of batteries and chargers
Bipolar power supplies that are capable of outputting in four quadrants are widely used to test the performance of batteries, to simulate battery behavior and to test battery chargers.
Performance required in this application: High power High speed
Simulation of output waveforms
Peripheral equipment such as home electric appliances and other electrical devices generally require specific waveforms. It is necessary to check whether or not home electric appliances and other electrical devices will fail to operate normally if waveforms from external sources are distorted. Bipolar power supplies are highly suitable for such testing. By simulating and outputting waveforms which can cause malfunctions, it is possible to check the robustness of home electric appliances and other electrical devices.
Performance required in this application: High speed
Plating Industry
Periodic Reverse (PR) electroplating and anodizing
Periodic Reverse (PR) electroplating is a high-precision plating method. It involves alternating between plating (positive) and stripping (negative) cycles to improve surface smoothness and remove impurities. A bipolar power supply can handle both polarities in a single unit, eliminating the need for dual power supplies and mechanical switching. This improves cycle times and reliability. In anodizing, applying specific low-frequency voltages can accelerate chemical reactions. Matsusada Precision's high-power, high-speed bipolar power supplies allow users to optimize frequencies for different object sizes and materials, enhancing efficiency.
Performance required in this application: High powerHigh speed
PointHere is why Matsusada Precision bipolar power supplies are selected
The best frequency to apply depends on the size and the surface area of the objects to be plated. Matsusada Precision offers a wide variety of models of bipolar power supplies to meet nearly all frequency needs.
Ripple testing of capacitors
Broadband bipolar power supplies are available for ripple testing by responding to higher frequencies. They are fully equipped with safety functions including sinking current. Aside from that, the bipolar power supplies which can add AC to DC are suitable for evaluation tests and aging.
I-V characteristic evaluation of photovoltaic panels
The bipolar power supplies are used for I-V characteristic measurement by sinking current, which is like electronic loads, to monitor the voltage/current at the time. They are also suitable for field tests using solar power.
Waveform amplification of digital function generators
As the four-quadrant bipolar power supplies provide the output of the amplified waveform created by the function generator with no change, they can be applied to processing such as pulse plating and surface treatment.
With the function generator
With the function generator
With the function generator
