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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.
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.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8502B | 300 W | 500 V | 15 A |
| 8542B | 150 W | 150 V | 30 A |
| 8500B | 300 W | 150 V | 30 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.
| Parameter | Low Range | High Range |
|---|---|---|
| Input ratings | ||
| Input voltage | 0 to 500 V | |
| Input current | 0 to 3 A | 0 to 15 A |
| Input power | 300 W | |
| Minimum operating voltage | 0.6 V at 3 A | 3 V at 15 A |
| CV mode | ||
| Range | 0.1 to 50 V | 0.1 to 500 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 15 A |
| Resolution | 0.1 mA | 1 mA |
| Accuracy | ±(0.05% + 0.05% FS) | |
| CR mode | ||
| Range | 0.3 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 0.4 A/µs |
| Readback voltage | ||
| Range | 0 to 50 V | 0 to 500 V |
| Resolution | 1 mV | 10 mV |
| Accuracy | ±(0.05% + 0.05% FS) | |
| Readback current | ||
| Range | 0 to 3 A | 0 to 15 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 | 16 A |
| OVP | 530 V | |
| OTP | 185 °F (85 °C) | |
| Short circuit (typical) | ||
| Current (CC) | 3.3 A | 16 A |
| Voltage (CV) | 0 V | |
| Resistance (CR) | 180 mΩ | |
| General | ||
| Input terminal impedance (typical) | 150 kΩ | |
| 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) |
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.
Model No
B&K
Condition
New
Volts
500 V
Amps
15 A
Type
Single
Power
300 W
Manufacturer
B&K Precision
30+ Years in Business
Secure Payments
Sell Test Equipments
Knowledgeable Staff
On-site Lab
30+ Years in Business
Secure Payments
Sell Test Equipments
Knowledgeable Staff
On-site Lab
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