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The Instek SPS-1820 is one of five models in the SPS Series of 360W single-output switching DC power supplies, offering an output range of 0–18V and 0–20A. The SPS Series uses a switching topology to deliver high power density in a compact benchtop chassis, with OVP protection safeguarding both the supply and the connected load from unexpected conditions.
A DC power supply provides controlled, regulated electrical power to a device under test, and is one of the most universally needed instruments on any electronics bench. The SPS Series is positioned by Instek as an ideal solution for power-efficient bench-top or portable applications requiring high regulation, with remote sensing to compensate for cable losses between supply and load, and a remote control terminal that allows the output to be switched on and off from an external device.
Instek is the international brand name of GW Instek (Good Will Instrument Co., Ltd.), a Taiwan-based test and measurement manufacturer founded in 1975. The company operates under both the GW Instek and Instek brand identities depending on regional market, with no major corporate name changes or acquisitions affecting its product lineage.
The SPS Series consists of five 360W single-output switching DC power supplies that share an identical chassis, identical regulation specifications, and identical protection and control features. The models differ only in the voltage-and-current envelope each one delivers at the common 360W power rating.
Across the family, the highest current model (SPS-1230 at 30A) operates at the lowest voltage (12V), and the highest voltage model (SPS-606 at 60V) operates at the lowest current (6A). The other three models — SPS-1820, SPS-2415, and SPS-3610 — sit at intermediate points on the same power curve.
Each model linked below is its own dedicated product page with new-matched pricing and availability. Selecting the right SPS-Series model is primarily a matter of matching the supply's voltage and current envelope to the device under test.
The SPS-1820 sits in the middle of the family with 0–18V output at 0–20A. This profile suits devices that operate in the 12V–18V class — common in automotive electronics bench work, certain industrial control modules, and battery-adjacent circuits — where the current headroom above 12V matters and a 24V or 36V supply would be unnecessarily over-specified on voltage.
The five SPS-Series models trade voltage range for current capacity at a constant 360W output power. The SPS-1230 delivers the highest current (30A) at the lowest maximum voltage (12V), while the SPS-606 delivers the highest voltage (60V) at the lowest maximum current (6A). The SPS-1820, SPS-2415, and SPS-3610 occupy intermediate points.
All regulation, ripple, noise, recovery time, temperature coefficient, and metering specifications are identical across the family. Buyers select the model whose voltage-and-current envelope most closely matches the device under test, since over-specifying on one axis leaves the power budget unused on the other. The comparison table below shows the voltage and current envelope for each model side by side.
| Model | Output Voltage | Output Current | Output Power |
|---|---|---|---|
| SPS-1820 | 0 – 18V | 0 – 20A | 360W |
| SPS-1230 | 0 – 12V | 0 – 30A | 360W |
| SPS-2415 | 0 – 24V | 0 – 15A | 360W |
| SPS-3610 | 0 – 36V | 0 – 10A | 360W |
Additional differences in specifications beyond the few shown above are not listed here — see each model's full specifications below.
| Specification | SPS-1230 | SPS-1820 | SPS-2415 | SPS-3610 | SPS-606 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Output | |||||
| Voltage | 0 – 12V | 0 – 18V | 0 – 24V | 0 – 36V | 0 – 60V |
| Current | 0 – 30A | 0 – 20A | 0 – 15A | 0 – 10A | 0 – 6A |
| Constant Voltage Operation | |||||
| Regulation | Line regulation ≤5mV; Load regulation ≤5mV | ||||
| Ripple & Noise | ≤5mVrms, 100mVp-p 20Hz – 20MHz | ||||
| Recovery Time | ≤500µS (50% Load change, Minimum load 0.5A) | ||||
| Temp. Coefficient | ≤100ppm / °C | ||||
| Output Range | 0 to rating voltage continuously adjustable | ||||
| Constant Current Operation | |||||
| Regulation | Line regulation ≤3mA; Load regulation ≤3mA | ||||
| Ripple Current | ≤30 mArms | ≤10 mArms | ≤10 mArms | ≤5 mArms | ≤3 mArms |
| Output Range | 0 to rating current continuously adjustable (HI/LO range switchable) | ||||
| Meter | |||||
| Digital | 3 1/2 digits, 0.39" LED display; Accuracy ±(0.5% of rdg + 2digits) | ||||
| Insulation | |||||
| Chassis and Terminal | 20MΩ or above (DC 500V) | ||||
| Chassis and AC Cord | 30MΩ or above (DC 500V) | ||||
| Power Source | |||||
| Power Source | AC 115V / 230V ±15%, 50/60Hz | ||||
| Dimensions & Weight | |||||
| Dimensions | 128(W) x 145(H) x 285(D) mm | ||||
| Weight | Approx. 3.2kg |
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
GW
Condition
New
Manufacturer
Instek
Current
20 A
Voltage
18 V
Power
360 W
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