PXe-A Series Variable AC Power Supplies

Q: What is a variable AC power supply?

A variable AC power supply provides a controlled AC output with adjustable voltage, frequency or both. It allows engineers to test equipment under defined supply conditions rather than operating it directly from a fixed mains power supply.

Q: What is an AC power supply used for?

An AC power supply is used for product development, equipment validation, production testing and specialist electrical testing. It can reproduce various voltage and frequency conditions, allowing engineers to confirm how equipment performs across its intended operating range.

Q: What is the difference between an AC power supply and a static frequency converter?

A static frequency converter is usually selected primarily to convert one supply frequency to a required output frequency, often at a defined output voltage. A variable AC power supply is more test-focused. It allows engineers to adjust voltage, frequency, or both to evaluate equipment under different operating conditions.

Q: What is the difference between this range and the AFV-P programmable AC power source?

The PXe-A Series provides configurable fixed or adjustable AC output for general electrical testing and equipment operation. The AFV-P range is better suited where the main requirements are advanced programmable control, automated test routines, or more detailed AC supply simulation. The exact selection depends on the test sequence and the required control functions.

Q: Can the output voltage and frequency be adjusted independently?

Adjustable voltage and frequency configurations are available. The exact operating range and any interactions among output voltage, output current, and available kVA should be confirmed for the selected model.

Q: Can one supply be used to test both 50Hz and 60Hz equipment?

Yes. A variable-frequency configuration can be used to test equipment intended for both 50Hz and 60Hz markets. Wider frequency ranges are also available for specialist equipment.

Q: Are single-phase and three-phase outputs available?

Yes. The range includes single-phase and three-phase output configurations. Input and output phases do not necessarily need to be the same, allowing arrangements such as three-phase input to higher-power single-phase output.

Q: Can the supply test equipment at high and low input-voltage limits?

Yes. Adjustable-voltage versions can be used to operate equipment at nominal voltage and at defined upper or lower limits. The required voltage range should be stated when specifying the supply.

Q: How should an AC power supply be sized for a motor or compressor?

The supply should be sized using both the running requirement and the starting current. Motors and compressors can draw several times their rated running current during start-up. Where the load has soft-start control, the required allowance may be lower. The actual starting current and its duration should still be confirmed before selecting the final kVA rating.

PX Electronics PXe-A Series variable AC power supplies provide controlled, adjustable AC voltage and frequency for electrical product testing, development and validation. They allow engineers to operate equipment under defined supply conditions rather than relying directly on fixed site mains power.

Available in single-phase and three-phase configurations, the range can be specified for laboratory testing, production-line use, and higher-power industrial equipment. Adjustable output voltage, selectable frequency ranges and optional remote interfaces allow the supply to be matched to the equipment under test and the required test procedure.

Single-phase systems can provide adjustable output ranges of 0 to 150V AC or 0 to 300V AC. Three-phase systems are available with adjustable output up to 0 to 260V line-to-neutral and 0 to 520V line-to-line. Standard adjustable frequency extends from 45 to 200Hz, with an optional 40 to 500Hz range available for wider-frequency applications.

Technical Highlights for Variable AC Power Testing

Adjustable voltage and frequency
Set the AC output voltage and frequency to match nominal operating conditions, upper and lower voltage limits, regional mains requirements or application-specific test points.

Single-phase and three-phase configurations
Available with different input and output phase arrangements to suit laboratory equipment, production systems and larger industrial loads.

Controlled sine-wave output
Solid-state IGBT PWM regulation provides repeatable AC output with total harmonic distortion specified at 3% or lower with a linear load.

Support for non-linear loads
A published current crest factor of 3:1 supports testing of equipment with rectifier inputs and other non-linear current waveforms, subject to the selected unit’s RMS current and kVA limits.

Digital measurement and monitoring
Front-panel metering provides output voltage, current, frequency, power and power factor information during testing.

Remote interface options
Optional RS232C, RS485 and GPIB interfaces are available for integration into remote or automated test arrangements. The exact control and readback functions should be specified for the selected model.

Electrical isolation and protection
Transformer isolation and electronic protection are provided for overcurrent, overload, overvoltage, overtemperature and short-circuit conditions.

Click here for Datasheet Click here for a sample specification

PXe variable AC power supplies are intended for applications where engineers need to control the voltage or frequency applied to the equipment under test.

Typical uses include:

Product development and design validation
Variable-voltage operating checks
Over-voltage and under-voltage testing
50Hz and 60Hz product evaluation
International mains compatibility testing
Appliance and consumer electronics testing
Production line functional testing
Laboratory and R&D test systems
Motor, fan and pump evaluation
Industrial control equipment testing
Power electronics and inverter testing
Aerospace and avionics equipment testing
Marine electrical equipment validation
Specialist AC load testing

Configurable AC Output for Electrical Testing

PXe AC power supplies can be configured around the available input supply, required output phase, adjustable voltage range, operating frequency and connected load.

The range covers compact single-phase supplies through to larger three-phase industrial systems. Standard listed ratings range from 0.5 kVA to 200 kVA for single-phase output and from 1 kVA to 500 kVA for three-phase output. Higher-capacity engineered systems may be available following review of the application.

Available configurations:

Parameter	Available Configuration
Output Phase	Single-phase or three-phase
Single-Phase Voltage	Fixed output or adjustable 0 to 150V AC / 0 to 300V AC
Three-Phase Voltage	Fixed output or adjustable up to 0 to 260V L-N / 0 to 520V L-L
Standard Frequency	Fixed 50Hz, 60Hz, 100Hz or 200Hz
Variable Frequency	45 to 200Hz
Extended Frequency	Optional 40 to 500Hz
Output Connection	Three-phase, three-wire or four-wire
Control	Manual front-panel adjustment or optional remote interface
Construction	Bench, 19-inch rack-mounted, mobile or floor-standing

Input and Output Arrangements

Input and output phases do not have to be the same. Available configurations include single-phase input to single-phase output, single-phase input to three-phase output, three-phase input to single-phase output, and three-phase input to three-phase output.

Using a three-phase input for a higher-power single-phase load can reduce the input current carried by each phase and may be preferable where the available site supply allows it.

Load Capability

The supply can support resistive, inductive, capacitive and rectifier-fed loads when correctly sized. A 3:1 current crest factor supports many non-linear electronic loads, subject to the RMS current, peak current and total kVA limits of the selected unit.

Motors, transformers, compressors and equipment with large input capacitors may draw considerably more current during start-up than during normal operation. These applications should be selected using the starting current and its duration, rather than the running rating alone.

Order Codes:

A product order code can be derived from the main ordering information using the structure below:

Generic order code is based on this format: PXe-130000-A, and all PXE order codes start with the six digits like 130030 in this case, indicating 1ph-input 3ph-output and 30kVA

For example a 1 phase in 50Hz, 3 phase out 47-63Hz, 7.5kVA, Variable, Manual Control = PXE-130007.5-A

PXE-130007.5-A-[INPUT]-[OUTPUT]-[RATING]-[ENCLOSURE]-[CONTROL]

PXE-130007.5-A-[1P230V50N]-[3P0-300V/0-520VN47-63N]-[7.5kVA]-[IP22]-[MC]

This would represent:

(PXE-130030-A) – PX Electronics SFC Unit 30kVA
(1P230V50N) – 1 phase, 230VL-L+Neutral, 50Hz input
(3P0-300V/0520V47-63N) – 3 phase, Low 0-300L-L/High 0-520L-L+Neutral, 47-63Hz output
(7.5KVA) – 7.5kVA rating
(IP22) – IP22 enclosure
(MC) – Manual Control

For a manually controlled standard enclosure version, the part number may look like this:

PXe-330050-A-3P415V50N-3P0-300V/0-520VN47-63-50KVA-IP22-MC

Model	Input	Output	Capacity	Enclosure	Interface Options
PXe-330050-A PX Electronics – AC Power Supply	3P2415V50 3P = Three Phase 415V = Input Voltage 50 = 50Hz Frequency	3P0-300V/0-520V47-63 3P = Three Phase 0-300V/0-520V = Variable Input Voltage 47-63 = 47Hz -63Hz Adjustable Frequency	50KVA 50kVA capacity	IP22 Standard IP22 enclosure	MC Manual Control Interface

Model

Input

Output

Capacity

Enclosure

Interface Options

PXe-330050-A

PX Electronics – AC Power Supply

3P2415V50

3P = Three Phase
415V = Input Voltage
50 = 50Hz Frequency

3P0-300V/0-520V47-63

3P = Three Phase
0-300V/0-520V = Variable Input Voltage
47-63 = 47Hz -63Hz Adjustable Frequency

50KVA

50kVA capacity

IP22

Standard IP22 enclosure

Manual Control Interface

Available Options:

IP54-rated enclosure
Rugged enclosure option for outdoor, industrial, marine or aviation-related environments where additional protection is required against humidity, condensation, salt spray, water ingress and dust.

Conformal coating
Additional coating of internal PCBs and selected electronic components to improve protection in harsh, humid or corrosive environments.

19-inch rack mount construction
Available on smaller models where the AC power supply needs to be integrated into an existing rack, cabinet, laboratory bench system or production test area.

Remote watchdog monitoring
Typically offered on models above 50kVA. The watchdog system can provide real-time fault notification via SMS, data history logging, remote operation, and automatic restart functionality, subject to application and site requirements.

Cables and terminations
Input and output cable assemblies, connectors, and termination arrangements can be supplied to suit installation, load connection, and site operating requirements.

Mobile base and handling options
Wheeled bases, rubber castors, and swivel tow bars are available when the AC power supply needs to be moved between test areas, production lines, service bays, or operating locations. This option is suitable for facilities where flexible positioning and practical handling are important.

PXe-130000-A Series Technical Specification

Capacity
Single Phase Output (Other options available on request)	kVA Ratings: 0.5kVA, 1kVA, 3kVA, 5kVA, 10kVA, 15kVA, 20kVA, 30kVA, 50kVA, 60kVA, 75kVA, 100kVA, 150kVA, 200kVA
Three Phase Output (Other options available on request)	kVA Ratings: 1kVA, 3kVA, 6kVA, 9kVA, 15kVA, 20kVA, 30kVA, 45kVA, 60kVA, 100kVA, 150kVA, 200kVA, 300kVA, 400kVA, 500kVA
Input
Single Phase (Select One Individual Voltage)	110Vac ±10%, 115Vac ±10%, 120Vac ±10%, 127Vac ±10%, 220Vac ±10%, 230Vac ±10%, 240Vac ±10%, 400Vac ±10%
Three Phase (Select One Individual Voltage)	115-127 (L-N) / 200-220V (L-L) ±10%, 220-240 (L-N) / 380-415V (L-L) ±10%, 440V (L-L) ±10%, 480V (L-L) ±5%, 3 Phase 3 Wire or 3 Phase 4 Wire
Frequency	50Hz/60Hz ±5%, 400Hz (Optional)
Power Factor	≥ 0.8 (standard type) ≥ 0.9 (optional type, 12 or 18 pulse)
Output
Single Phase (Select One Individual Voltage)	Fixed: 110V, 115V, 120V, 127V, 220V, 230V, 240V, 400V Adjustable: 0~150Vac / 0~300Vac
Three Phase (Select One Individual Voltage)	Fixed: 115/200V, 120/208V, 127/220V, 220/380V, 230/400V, 240/415V, 254/440V, 277/480V (L-N/L-L), 400/690V (L-N/L-L), 3 Phase 3 Wire or 3 Phase 4 Wire Adjustable: 0~260V (L-N) / 0~520V (L-L), 3 Phase 3 Wire or 3 Phase 4 Wire
Frequency	Fixed: 50Hz, 60Hz, 100Hz, 200Hz, 45–200Hz (adjustable) Optional: 400Hz / 40–500Hz (adjustable), 16.67Hz, 25Hz, 50Hz, 60Hz, 400–1000Hz
Voltage Accuracy	≤ ±1% FS (Full Scale)
Frequency Accuracy	≤ ±0.1% FS (Full Scale)
Total Harmonic Distortion	THD ≤ 3% @ linear load, pure sine wave output
Crest Factor (Pk/rms)	3:1
Overload	100% for continuous, 101–200% shut down in 200mS
Interface	None for standard units, RS232C/RS485/GPIB (Optional)
Protection	Over-current, over-load, over-voltage, over-temp, short circuit, alarm and indicators
Enclosure IP Rating	IP22 (Standard), IP32, IP54 (Optional). Special enclosure options available
LED/LCD Display	Digital frequency meter, Digital voltage meter, Digital current meter, Digital power/PF meter
Connectors	Hard-wire terminals, EN60309, MIL-STD, Or client choice
Operating conditions
Temperature	Operation: -10℃~55℃ Ambient: -10℃~45℃
Noise	≤ 65dB at 1 meter EN 55022, IEC1000-4
Humidity	10~90% non-condensing
Cooling	Variable speed fan, filtered air intake in base, exhaust at rear
Altitude	≤ 1800m
Castors or Feet	0.5–3kVA have rubber feet and lifting handles, 4kVA+ have castors with front brakes. A/Vs or feet optional
CE	CE Marked
Reliability and Efficiency
Mean Time Between Failure (MTBF)	50,000Hrs
Mean Time To Restore (MTTR)	< 30 min
Overall Efficiency	≥ 85%
Standards
GB50054-95, GB 50150-1991, GB 50150-2006, GB 50171-1992, GB/T 16935.5-2008, GB/T16935.4-2011
EN IEC61000-3-2, EN 61000-3-3, EN55032, EN55035, MIL-STD-1399, MIL-STD 461, MIL-STD704, STANAG 1008
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