AC Power Sources

AMETEK Programmable AC Power and Regenerative Grid Simulators provide various voltage, current, and power for simulating AC mains and line fault conditions, from compliance test systems to rack-mounted industrial power subsystems.  

Choose from single and three-phase AC power sources with power levels ranging from 500VA to 1.08MVA for design validation, production, and education in the lab, R&D test and measurement, avionics testing, inverter testing, arbitrary waveform generation, bulk power and power conditioning applications or automated testing applications. 

The Elgar and California Instruments line includes advanced AC/DC power sources with complex waveform generation and precision measurements and more basic AC and AC/DC power supplies for simpler applications.

Need help determining which AC power supply is right for you?

Download the Guide: Selecting the Right Programmable Power Solution.
This comprehensive guide will detail modern advancements in power supplies, the importance of power systems, and how to get the right solution based on your specific application.
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Sequoia Series

Regenerative AC Grid Simulator

Voltage: 0 - 333VAC
Current: 0A - 3,000Arms/phase
Power: 15kVA - 1.08MVA
Overview: Precision Programmable Regenerative Grid Simulator

Tahoe Series

Programmable AC & DC Power Supplies

Voltage: 0 - 333VAC
Current: 0A - 3,000Arms/phase
Power: 15kVA - 1.08MVA
Overview: Precision Programmable AC and DC Sources

Asterion AC - High-Performance AC and DC Power Sources

Asterion AC

Single & Three Phase AC Power Sources

Model: Asterion AC 1U / 2U / 4U / 14U
Voltage: 0 - 400VAC / 0 - 500VDC
Current: 0 - 60Arms/phase
Power: 500VA - 36,000VA
Overview: High-Performance AC and DC Power Sources

Asterion ASC

Single & Three Phase AC Power Sources

Model: Asterion ASC 4U / 14U
Voltage: 0 - 312VAC
Current: 0 - 60Arms/phase
Power: 4500VA - 36000VA
Overview: High Performance AC Power Sources

BPS Series - High Power Programmable AC Source for Frequency Conversion

BPS Series

High Power Programmable AC Source

Model: Asterion ASC 4U / 14U
Voltage: 0 - 300V
Current: 0 - 400Arms/phase
Power: 30kVA – 180kV
Overview: High Power Programmable AC Source for Frequency Conversion and Product Test

CS Series - Programmable High Power AC Source

CS Series

Programmable High Power AC Current Source

Voltage: 0-270V
Current: 44.4Arms/phase
Power: 3kVA - 18kVA
Overview: Programmable High-Power AC Current Source

CSW Series - Programmable AC and DC Power Analyzer

CSW Series

Programmable AC & DC Power Source/Analyzer

Model: Asterion ASC 4U / 14U
Voltage: 0 - 312V
Current: 0 - 288Arms/phase
Power: 5.5 kVA - 33.3 kVA
Overview: Programmable AC and DC Power Source/Analyzer

GUPS - Ruggedized Uninterruptible Power Supply

GUPS (Global UPS)

Elgar's Ruggedized Military Uninterruptible Power Supply

Model: Global UPS (GUPS)
Voltage: 115 / 230 VAC
Current: 21Arms
Power: 1920W
Overview: Ruggedized Uninterruptible Power Supply

i-iX Series II - Programmable AC and DC Power Analyzer

i-iX Series II

Programmable AC & DC Power Source/Analyzer

Model: Global UPS (GUPS)
Voltage: 0 - 300V
Current: 0 - 120Arms/phase
Power: 3000VA - 15000VA
Overview: Programmable AC and DC Power Source/Analyzer

Ls-Lx Series - Programmable AC Power Analyzer

Ls-Lx Series

Programmable AC Power Source/Analyzer

Voltage: 0 - 312V
Current: 0A - 50Arms/phase
Power: 3kVA - 18kVA
Overview: Programmable AC Power Source/Analyzer

MX Series - High Power AC and DC Power Source

MX Series

High Power AC & DC Source

Voltage: 0 - 400V
Current: 0 - 375Arms/phase
Power: 15kVA - 135kVA
Overview: High Power AC and DC Power Source

RS Series - High Power AC and DC Power Source

RS Series

High Power AC & DC Supply

Voltage: 0 - 400V
Current: 0 - 3000Arms/phase
Power: 90kVA - 1MVA
Overview: High Power AC and DC Power Source

Frequently Asked Questions

Click on any question below to expand its answer!
  • What is an AC power source?
    An alternating current, or AC power source, provides controlled power to different types of loads.

    An AC power source has many uses in many applications where the power needs to be either tightly controlled or even dynamically changed to replicate real-world behaivors and events. These applications can range from specific Engineering testing on devices to standards compliance testing such as IEEE1547 and UL1741. They can be used to simulate real-world electrical conditions like surges, outages, or voltage fluctuations to ensure devices can handle them.
  • What is a single-phase AC power source?

    A single-phase AC power source uses two wires: a phase wire and a neutral wire. Power flows from the phase wire through the device and returns via the neutral wire. Single-phase systems are simpler, need fewer conductors, and are typically used for lighting, heating, and small appliances. As an example, the typical AC power that you have in a home is single phase.

  • What is a three-phase AC power source?
    A three-phase AC power source uses three wires to carry current, often arranged in either a wye or delta configuration. In a wye system, a neutral wire is also used. Three-phase systems are more efficient for delivering large amounts of power and are typically used in industrial equipment and heavy machinery.
  • What is the difference between AC and DC power sources?
    • AC (Alternating Current) power is ideal for sending electricity over long distances and is distributed through the electrical grid.
    • DC (Direct Current) power flows in one direction and offers very stable voltage, which is why it’s commonly used in batteries and most electronic devices.

    Many devices either run directly on DC power or convert AC to DC using a rectifier inside the device.

  • What is a programmable AC power source?

    A programmable AC power source lets you adjust the output voltage, frequency, and waveform to simulate different power conditions.

    Unlike fixed-output sources, a programmable source can recreate real-world situations like power surges, outages, or voltage changes — making it ideal for product testing, R&D, and production environments.

  • How can I control an AC power source remotely?

    Programmable AC power sources can be controlled remotely using communication interfaces like GPIB, LAN, USB, or RS-232.

    They also support SCPI (Standard Commands for Programmable Instruments) commands and can integrate easily into automated test setups using various software drivers.

  • How do I choose the right AC power source for my application?

    Choosing the right AC power source depends on your specific needs:

    • Required voltage, current, and total power
    • Frequency range
    • Type of waveform you need (pure sinewave, distorted, etc.)
    • Special functions like harmonic generation or advanced measurements

    Understanding your application’s power demands and test requirements is key to selecting the right model.

  • What power ranges do AMETEK programmable AC power sources offer?
    AMETEK offers programmable AC power sources ranging from 500 VA to 1.08 MVA, covering basic testing needs all the way up to high-power industrial and research applications.
  • What applications do AMETEK programmable AC power sources support?

    AMETEK programmable AC power sources are designed for a wide variety of uses, including:

    • Design validation and production testing
    • Educational labs and research & development (R&D)
    • Avionics and aerospace equipment testing
    • Inverter and EV/EVSE testing
    • Arbitrary waveform generation
    • Bulk power testing and conditioning
    • Automated test systems (ATE)