Electronic Loads

Electronic loads sink current rather than supply it, presenting a programmable, precisely controlled load so that power supplies, batteries and converters can be tested under realistic conditions.

Instek, B&K Precision, Magna-Power and EA Elektro-Automatik cover this range. Beyond voltage, current and power ratings, the operating modes decide usefulness: constant current, constant voltage, constant resistance and constant power each expose different behaviour in the device under test. Dynamic mode, which switches between two levels at a set rate, is what reveals transient response. Regenerative loads return energy to the mains instead of dissipating it as heat, which cuts both cooling requirements and running cost on long tests.