# B&K Precision 8500B 150 V / 30 A / 300 W Programmable DC Electronic Load

# B&K Precision 8500B 150 V / 30 A / 300 W Programmable DC Electronic Load

## Key Features At A Glance

-   Maximum input power up to 600 W across the series, with rated voltages to 500 V and currents to 120 A depending on model
-   CC, CV, CR, and CW operating modes for testing DC power supplies, DC-DC converters, batteries, battery chargers, and photovoltaic arrays
-   16-bit voltage and current measurement system with resolution down to 0.1 mV / 0.1 mA
-   Transient mode up to 10 kHz in CC mode with adjustable slew rate from 0.0001 to 1 A/µs (model and range dependent)
-   List mode for custom step sequences (2 to 84 steps, minimum 20 µs step width) plus automatic test mode chaining up to 100 sequences
-   Built-in battery test function with configurable cut-off voltage, capacity, and time conditions up to 27 hours
-   OVP, OCP, OPP, OTP protection including local and remote reverse voltage (LRV/RRV) protection
-   DB9 (TTL) interface with included USB adapter; supports both SCPI and legacy 8500 series protocols

The BK Precision 8500B Series is a family of programmable DC electronic loads designed for testing and evaluating DC power supplies, DC-DC converters, batteries, battery chargers, and photovoltaic arrays. The series covers four models in a compact 2U half-rack form factor: the 8542B (150 W, 150 V, 30 A), the 8500B (300 W, 150 V, 30 A), the 8502B (300 W, 500 V, 15 A), and the 8510B (600 W, 120 V, 120 A).

Applications listed for the 8500B Series include performance verification of photovoltaic solar panels, CR-LED mode to simulate loading behavior and test LED drivers, fuel and solar cell tests, and battery test and power supply evaluations. The loads operate in constant current (CC), constant voltage (CV), constant resistance (CR), and constant power (CW) modes, with internal memory for 100 sets of user-configurable parameters such as voltage, current, slew rate, and width for quick system recall.

## Brand Heritage

BK Precision Corporation is a privately held US-based test and measurement manufacturer with no major corporate name changes in its operating history. The brand has been continuously marketed as BK Precision through its current ownership.

## Compare Other Models in This Series

The BK Precision 8500B Series spans four models — 8542B, 8500B, 8502B, and 8510B — that share a common 2U half-rack form factor, the same set of CC/CV/CR/CW operating modes, the same 16-bit measurement architecture, and the same SCPI/legacy protocol support. The models differ in power, voltage, and current ratings to address different test scenarios within the same operational framework.

All four models share transient mode operation, list mode, automatic test mode, battery test function, protection coverage (OVP/OCP/OPP/OTP plus LRV/RRV), remote sense, and the DB9 (TTL) communication interface with included USB adapter. Differences across the family are concentrated in input ratings and the corresponding range and resolution figures in the measurement and control specifications.

Each new 8500B Series model is sold on its own dedicated product page with condition-matched pricing. Use the comparison table below to confirm the model that fits your input voltage, current, and power requirements before navigating to the individual product listing.

The four models partition the input rating envelope as follows: the 8542B is the 150 W, 150 V, 30 A entry point. The 8500B steps power up to 300 W at the same 150 V and 30 A ratings. The 8502B is the high-voltage member at 300 W, 500 V, and 15 A — the only model in the series with the 500 V input range. The 8510B is the high-current, high-power member at 600 W, 120 V, and 120 A.

CV mode range, CC mode range, minimum operating voltage at full-scale current, and slew rate ranges scale with the model's input ratings. The 8502B's CV high range extends to 500 V while the other three models top out at 120 V or 150 V; the 8510B's CC high range extends to 120 A while the others are 15 A or 30 A. Refer to the comparison table for the per-model numerical values.

Model

Power

Rated Voltage

Rated Current

**8500B**

300 W

150 V

30 A

8542B

150 W

150 V

30 A

8502B

300 W

500 V

15 A

8510B

600 W

120 V

120 A

Additional differences in specifications beyond the few shown above are not listed here — see each model's full specifications below.

## Accessories Supplied

-   Power cord
-   Certificate of calibration
-   USB to TTL serial converter IT-E132B
-   USB cable

## Product Core & Specifications

Parameter

Low Range

High Range

Input ratings

Input voltage

0 to 150 V

Input current

0 to 3 A

0 to 30 A

Input power

300 W

Minimum operating voltage

0.14 V at 3 A

1.4 V at 30 A

CV mode

Range

0.1 to 18 V

0.1 to 150 V

Resolution

1 mV

10 mV

Accuracy

±(0.05% + 0.02% FS)

±(0.05% + 0.025% FS)

CC mode

Range

0 to 3 A

0 to 30 A

Resolution

0.1 mA

1 mA

Accuracy

±(0.05% + 0.05% FS)

CR mode

Range

0.05 Ω to 10 Ω

10 Ω to 7.5 kΩ

Resolution

16 bit

Accuracy

0.01% + 0.08 S (0.01% + 12.5 Ω)

0.01% + 0.0008 S (0.01% + 1250 Ω)

CW mode

Range

300 W

Resolution

10 mW

Accuracy

±(0.1% + 0.1% FS)

Transient mode (CC mode)

T1 & T2

50 µs to 3600 s / Resolution: 1 µs

Accuracy

5 µs ± 100 ppm

Slew rate

0.0001 to 0.2 A/µs

0.001 to 0.8 A/µs

Readback voltage

Range

0 to 18 V

0 to 150 V

Resolution

0.1 mV

1 mV

Accuracy

±(0.05% + 0.05% FS)

Readback current

Range

0 to 3 A

0 to 30 A

Resolution

0.1 mA

1 mA

Accuracy

±(0.05% + 0.05% FS)

Readback power

Range

300 W

Resolution

10 mW

Accuracy

±(0.1% + 0.1% FS)

Protection range (typical)

OPP

320 W

OCP

3.3 A

33 A

OVP

160 V

OTP

185 °F (85 °C)

Short circuit (typical)

Current (CC)

3.3 A

33 A

Voltage (CV)

0 V

Resistance (CR)

40 mΩ

General

Input terminal impedance (typical)

1 MΩ

Dimensions (W x H x D)

8.5" x 3.5" x 14" (214.5 x 88.2 x 354.6 mm)

Weight

10.3 lbs (4.7 kg)

**Important:** Slew rate specifications are typical, not warranted. Actual transition time is defined as 10% to 90% of the programmed current value, and very large load changes (such as no-load to full-load) will exhibit longer transition times than the programmed slew rate target.**Important:** All specifications apply to the unit after a temperature stabilization time of 30 minutes over an ambient temperature range of 23 °C ± 5 °C.**Important:** Fast pulse trains with large transitions may not be achievable.**Important:** The slew rate specifications are not warranted but are descriptions of typical performance. The actual transition time is defined as the time for the input to change from 10% to 90%, or vice versa, of the programmed current values. In case of very large load changes (e.g., from no load to full load), the actual transition time will be larger than the expected time. The load will automatically adjust the slew rate to fit within the range (high or low) closest to the programmed value.**Important:** High current test leads (TLPWR1) and rackmount kit (IT-E151) are listed as optional accessories and are not included with the base unit; order separately if required.Recommended pairing: couple the 8500B load with a BK Precision 9115 or 9200 series power supply to perform battery charge/discharge cycle testing, as illustrated in the datasheet's battery test software setup.

**Please review the Manufacturer's Data Sheet to verify published specifications. Feedback on this webpage is always welcome — please reach out to your Test Architect at any time for questions or concerns. Thank you, we truly appreciate you being our customer.**

## Details

- **Price:** 1405.0 USD - 1895.0 USD
- **Vendor:** B&K Precision
- **Type:** Dc Electronic Load
- **Tags:** 8500B Series, B&K Precision, Battery Test, BK Precision, CR-LED Mode, DC Electronic Load, Manufacturers, Power Supplies & Loads, product_manual_group_2, Product_new, Programmable DC Load

## Variants

| Variant | Price | Available |
|---------|-------|-----------|
| No Calibration Required | 1405.00 USD | In stock |
| NIST Traceable | 1615.00 USD | In stock |
| NIST Traceable with Full Data | 1755.00 USD | In stock |
| ISO/IEC 17025 Accredited | 1895.00 USD | In stock |

## Images

- 8500B BK Precision DC Electronic Load

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> Source: [ValueTronics](https://valuetronics.com/products/8500b-b-k-precision-dc-electronic-load-new)
> Updated: 2026-05-30