8500 REFURB - B&K PRECISION

The 8500 series Programmable DC Electronic

Loads can be used for testing and evaluating a

variety of DC power sources. Their wide

operating ranges of up to 500 V and 240 A,

flexible operating modes and excellent

measurement accuracy make the 8500 series

well suited for characterizing DC Power

supplies, DC-DC Converters, batteries, fuel

cells and solar cells.

The loads can operate in CC, CV, CR or CP

mode while voltage/current or resistance/power

values are measured and displayed in real time.

Load terminals are isolated and floating. Over

temperature, over power, over voltage, over

current and reverse polarity protection will help

protect your valuable prototype and circuits.

The DC loads are easy to use. All parameters

can be set quickly and precisely from the front

panel, or programmed via RS232 or USB

interfaces.

DC Electronic Loads

8500 Series

Versatile & Economical DC Electronic

Loads

Technical data subject to change

Data Sheet

www.bk prec ision.c om

The 8500 family offers 10 models with a wi de range of ratings

When selecting a DC load, it is important to

consider not only voltage and current

requirements, but also power ratings. The power

used when testing must fall within the hatched

region for the appropriate DC load.

Some applications may require high voltage/low

current and low voltage/high current which a

single load may not be able to handle. B&K

Precision’s broad range of DC loads will allow

you to select the optimal model for your

requirements.

2400W 600 W - 1200 W 300 W

Input current

Rated power

Input volta ge

Model Power Operating Voltage Rated Current

8500 300 W 0.1 - 120 V 30 A

8502 300 W 0.1 - 500 V 15 A

8510 600 W 0.1 - 120 V 120 A

8512 600 W 0.1 - 500 V 30 A

8514 1200 W 0.1 - 120 V 240 A

8518 1200 W 0.1 - 60 V 240 A

8520 2400 W 0.1 - 120 V 240 A

8522 2400 W 0.1 - 500 V 120 A

8524 5000 W 0.1 - 60 V 240 A

8526 5000 W 0.1 - 500 V 120 A

www.bkprecision.com

DC Electronic Loads

8500 Series

Features

■Constant current (CC), resistance (CR), voltage

(CV) and power (CP) operation

■Wide voltage and current range, 0 to 500 V, 0

to 240 A (5000 W max)

■Low minimum operating voltage of < 0.1 V

and minimum input resistance of 5 mΩ(model

8518) allowing the load to sink high current at

low voltages, required for fuel and solar cell

applications

■Selected models operate up to 500 V, suitable

for high voltage applications

■Built-in transient generator

■Short circuit test

■Built-in high resolution (0.1 mA/1 mV) voltage

and current measurement (models 8500 &

8502)

■Bright, easy to read display (VFD technology)

■Over-Current/Over-Voltage/Over-Power/Over-

Temperature Protection

■RS232 to TTL, USB to TTL serial

converter cables and application software

included

■List mode operation for increased throughput.

■Battery testing mode to provide A*hr rating

of battery (ending voltage level is adjustable)

■Flexible triggering: Create trigger events by

front panel keystroke, back panel TTL signal,

or software

■Remote voltage sensing to compensate for the

effect of voltage drop in wires.

■Store 25 instrument setups

■Thermostatically-controlled fans allow

operation in quiet environments with minimal

disruption

■All models are rack mountable. Compact 300

W and 600 W models for bench use

Applications:

■DC power supply testing

■Characterization of rechargeable batteries. A

battery test mode is provided that will measure

the ampere*hour (A*hr) characteristic of a

battery

■Fuel and solar cell test

■High voltage applications

Low voltage operation

The 8500 series can operate well below 1 V

which is important for low voltage application

such as fuel cell and solar cell testing. All models

can regulate (provide a stable input) down to

0.1 V. Model 8518, due to its particularly low

input resistance, can operate at full scale current

of 240 A at 1.2 V (see image)

Typical minimum operating voltage at full scale current:

8500 8502 8510 8512 8514 8518 8520 8522 8524 8526

1.05 V 3 V 1.8 V 3 V 1.92 V 1.2 V 10.8 V 3.6 V 1.56 V 1.8 V

www.bkprecision.com

DC Electronic Loads

8500 Series

Rear panel

▲2

1) Air vents

Temperature-controlled fan expels air through

these vents to keep the temperature constant

inside the system.

2) Trigger and remote sensing terminal

block

Connect sensing lines to this terminal to

compensate for voltage drops due to load wire

resistance. This terminal block also contains the

two connections for the remote TTL trigger input

signal.

Front panel

▲1 2

3 4 5

The numeric keys and rotary knob provide a

convenient interface for setting the operating

mode and desired current/voltage/resistance

levels quickly and precisely. Voltage and current

can be set to a maximum resolution of 1 mV and

0.1 mA respectively (models 8500 and 8502

only). Up to 25 different instrument setups can

be stored and recalled from internal memory.

1) High resolution, easy to read display

Displays set values and measured values.

Current/voltage and power/resistance displays

can be toggled. Display resolution for current

and voltage is user-selectable. Maximum

resolution for model 8500 and 8502 is 1 mV/

0.1 mA.

2) Convenie nt data entry

Rotary knob for quick analog-style control. Turn

to adjust a setting value. Press to toggle

measurement display mode.

3) Numeric keypad

Conveniently enter set values directly and access

secondary functions.

4) Function k eys

Activate current, voltage, power, or resistance

modes and scroll through menus and options.

5) Front panel load terminals

Connect to device under test. Hex-head screw

Hex-head sc rew t erminals

3) Interface connection

Serial interface connector for RS232 or USB

communication.

4) Voltage switch

Line voltage selection switch (110 VAC or 220

VAC).

Terminals are used for models 8518 and

8520 – 8526 to connect wires.

3 4

www.bkprecision.com

DC Electronic Loads

8500 Series

CC, CR, CV and CP mode

In Constant Current (CC) mode, the load will

sink a current according to the programmed

current value regardless of the input voltage.

(CC) mode can be used for load regulation

testing of DC power supplies or for characteriz-

ing the discharge profile of a battery.

Constant Power (CP) mode simulates a load

whose power consumption is independent of the

applied voltage. Constant Power (CP) mode is

useful for battery testing and simulating a

realistic discharge curve.

In Constant Voltage (CV) mode, the load will

attempt to sink enough current to control the

source voltage to the programmed value. This

mode is suitable for testing battery chargers.

In Constant Resistance (CR) mode, the load will

sink a current linearly proportional to the input

voltage in accordance with the programmed

Flexible operating modes

▲

Remote control & application software

▲

resistance. Unlike conventional resistors, the

load resistance stays constant regardless of the

power level.

Transient generator

The 8500 series offers a variable frequency

generator which can be used in all operating

modes. The DC load will toggle between 2

preset levels at a frequency between 0.1 Hz to

1 kHz, either continuously or controlled by a

trigger.

Trigg ered operation

Triggering is used to allow synchronization of the

DC Load's behavior with other events. You can

generate a trigger event by front panel keystroke,

by applying an external TTL signal to the back

panel terminal or by sending a commands over

the serial bus. The trigger can be used in pulse

mode, transient mode, list mode and works in

CC, CR, CV and CP modes.

The DC loads can be remotely controlled from

any PC with USB or RS232 interface, allowing

the user to fully program and monitor all

parameters. RS232 to TTL and USB to TTL

serial converter cables are included. For users

wanting to write their own custom software, a set

of example programs are available for download

on the B&K Precision website.

List Mode

A list of command sequences can be stored in

non-volatile memory and executed independently

of a computer. Execution in list mode greatly

reduces command processing time and computer

interaction during product testing. The command

sequence can be entered manually from the front

panel or downloaded from a PC via RS232 or

USB interface.

Application Software

The included Application Software supports front

panel emulation of the load and includes a

battery test application which provides A*hr

rating of a battery and adjustable ending voltage

levels (safety voltage).

Whether you are designing a device with

Nickel-Metal Hydride or Lithium-Ion batteries,

the 8500 series have the capabilities to test their

characteristics.

An example of battery discharge characteristics of an AA alkaline battery.

Model 8500

www.bkprecision.com

DC Electronic Loads

8500 Series

Specifications

Models 8500 & 8502 (300 W)

▲

Models 8510/8512/8514/8518 (600 W & 1200 W)

▲

Models 8520/8522/8524/8526 (2400 W & 5000 W)

▲

Parameter Range Accuracy Resolution

8500 8502

CV Mode

Regulation

0.1-18 V ±(0.05%+0.02% FS) 1 mV

0.1 – 120 V 0.1 – 500 V ±(0.05%+0.025% FS) 10 mV

CC Mode

Regulation

0 – 3 A 0 – 3 A ±(0.1%+0.1% FS) 0.1 mA

0 – 30 A 0 – 15 A ±(0.2%+0.15% FS) 1 mA

Current Measurement

0 – 3 A 0 – 3 A ±(0.1% + 0.1% FS) 0.1 mA

0 – 30 A 0 – 15 A 8500: ±(0.2%+0.15% FS)

8502: ±(0.2%+0.3% FS) 1 mA

Voltage Measurement 0-18 V ±(0.02% + 0.02% FS) 1 mV

0-120 V 0 – 500 V ±(0.02% + 0.025% FS) 10 mV

Parameter 8510 8512 8514 8518

Input rating

Voltage 0 – 120 V 0 – 500 V 0 – 120 V 0 – 60 V

Current 0 – 120 A 0 – 30 A 0 – 240 A 0 – 240 A

Power 600 W 1200 W

Parameter 8520 8522 8524 8526

Input rating

Voltage 0 – 120 V 0 – 500 V 0 – 60 V 0 – 500 V

Current 0 – 240 A 0 – 120 A 0 – 240 A 0 – 120 A

Power 2400 W 5000 W

Parameter 8500 8502

Input rating

Voltage 0 – 120 V 0 – 500 V

Current 0 – 30 A 0 – 15 A

Power 300 W

Parameter Range Accuracy Resolution

8510 8512 8514 8518

CV Mode

Regulation

0.1-18 V ±(0.05%+0.02% FS) 1 mV

0.1 V to Vmax ±(0.05%+0.025% FS) 10 mV

CC Mode

Regulation

0-12 A 0-3 A 0-24 A ±(0.1%+0.1% FS) 1 mA

0 – max Current ±(0.2%+0.15% FS) 10 mA

Current

Measurement

0-12 A 0-3 A 0-24 A ±(0.1% + 0.1% FS) 1 mA

0 – max. Current ±(0.2%+0.15% FS) 10 mA

Voltage

Measurement

0 – 18 V 8510/8514: (0.02% + 0.025% FS)

8512/8518: (0.02% + 0.02% FS) 1 mV

0 - Vmax ±(0.02% + 0.025% FS) 10 mV

Parameter Range Accuracy Resolution

8520 8522 8524 8526

CV Mode

Regulation

0.1-18 V ±(0.05%+0.02% FS) 1 mV

0.1 V to Vmax ±(0.05%+0.025% FS) 10 mV

CC Mode

Regulation

0-24 A 0-12 A 0-24 A 0-12 A ±(0.1%+0.1% FS) 1 mA

0 – max Current ±(0.2%+0.15% FS) 10 mA

Current

Measurement

0-24 A 0-12 A 0-24 A 0-12 A ±(0.1% + 0.1% FS) 1 mA

0 – max. Current ±(0.2%+0.15% FS) 10 mA

Voltage

Measurement

0 – 18 V 8522/8526: (0.02% + 0.02% FS)

8520/8524: (0.02% + 0.025% FS) 1 mV

0 - Vmax ±(0.02% + 0.025% FS) 10 mV

Specifications

www.bkprecision.com

DC Electronic Loads

8500 Series

Common characteristics

▲

v102714

Standard Power cord, user manual, installation CD with application software, RS232 to TTL serial converter cable IT-E131,

USB to TTL serial converter cable IT-E132, certificate of calibration and test report

Optional Rack mount kit IT-E151 for models 8500, 8502, 8510, 8512, 8514 and 8518 only

Model Dimensions (W x H x D) Weight

8500 8.46” x 3.46” x 14” (215 mm x 88 mm x 355 mm) 11.5 lb (5.2 kg)

8502 8.46” x 3.46” x 14” (215 mm x 88 mm x 355 mm) 11.5 lb (5.2 kg)

8510 16.9” x 3.46” x 14” (429 mm x 88 mm x 355 mm) 31 lb (14 kg)

8512 16.9” x 3.46” x 14” (429 mm x 88 mm x 355 mm) 31 lb (14 kg)

8514 16.9” x 3.46” x 14” (429 mm x 88 mm x 355 mm) 31 lb (14 kg)

8518 16.9” x 3.46” x 14” (429 mm x 88 mm x 355 mm) 31 lb (14 kg)

8520 17.48” x 7.09” x 21.22” (444 mm x 180 mm x 539 mm) 66 lb (30 kg)

8522 17.48” x 7.09” x 21.22” (444 mm x 180 mm x 539 mm) 66 lb (30 kg)

8524 17.48” x 14.06” x 21.22” (444 mm x 357 mm x 539 mm) 148 lb (67 kg)

8526 17.48” x 14.06” x 21.22” (444 mm x 357 mm x 539 mm) 148 lb (67 kg)

Parameter Range Accuracy Resolution

CR Mode Regulation

(Input current ≥FS 10%

Input voltage≥FS 10%)

0.1 -10 Ω±(1%+0.3% FS) 0.001 Ω

10-99 Ω±(1%+0.3% FS) 0.01 Ω

100-999 Ω±(1%+0.3% FS) 0. 1 Ω

1K-4 KΩ±(1%+0.8% FS) 1 Ω

CW Mode Regulation

(Input current ≥FS 10%

Input voltage≥FS 10%)

0-100 W ±(1%+0.1% FS) 1 mW

100 W - max power ±(1%+0.1% FS) 100 mW

Power Measurement

(Input current ≥ FS 10%

Input voltage ≥ FS 10%)

0-100 W ±(1%+0.1% FS) 1 mW

100 W - max power ±(1%+0.1% FS) 100 mW

Other

Battery testing function Input = 0.1 V – 120 V, Max measurement capacity = 999 Ah

Resolution = 10 mA, Timer range = 1-60000 sec

Transition mode Range of Frequency 0.1 Hz-1 kHz, Frequency error rate 0.5%

* All 8500 series models, with the exception of models 8524 and 8526, can be configured for 110 V or 220 V operation via the AC line switch in the rear

panel. Base models 8524 and 8526 operate with 110 V only. For 220 V operation, order model 8524-220V or 8526-220V respectively. “-220V” denotes

220 V operation only and these models cannot be reconfigured for 110 V operation.

Mechanical specifications

Accessories

AC input 110 / 220 (see note below)* VAC ± 10%, 47 – 63 Hz

Operating temperature 32 ºF - 104 ºF (0 - 40 ºC)

Storage temperature 50 ºF - 140 ºF (10 - 60 ºC)

Humidity ≤ 95% relative humidity, non-condensing

Safety EN61010-1:2001, EU Low Voltage Directive 73/23/EEC amended by 93/68/EEC

Electromagnetic compatibility Meets EMC Directive 89/336/EEC amended by 93/68/EEC, EN50081-1, EN50082-1

One-Year Warranty

▲