A bidirectional power supply can both source power to a device and sink/absorb power from it, enabling charge/discharge workflows without switching between separate instruments.

A regenerative power supply is designed to return absorbed energy back to the facility/AC mains rather than dissipating it as heat during sink/load operation.

AMETEK Programmable Power positions its bidirectional solutions for applications that require both sourcing and sinking with regenerative operation, targeting battery testing/simulation, renewable energy systems, and advanced R&D.

Bidirectional systems are commonly used for battery simulation, battery testing (charge/discharge), and testing modern power electronics where energy can flow back from the DUT.

A bidirectional DC power supply provides the core capability to source and sink power in one platform, while a battery cycler is typically a battery-test-focused solution/configuration optimized for repeatable charge/discharge cycling workflows. AMETEK Programmable Power’s Battery Cycler hub explicitly frames Mi‑BEAM and i‑BEAM as battery cycling solutions with bidirectional source/sink capability.

A 2 quadrant power supply (two‑quadrant / source‑sink) typically operates at positive voltage while allowing current in both directions—it can source current (charge) and sink current (discharge). This is commonly used for battery and regenerative DUT testing where the device can return energy during discharge or deceleration events.

Not always. Bidirectional refers to the ability to source and sink power (two-way flow), while regenerative refers to the ability to return absorbed energy to the mains instead of dissipating it as heat. Many bidirectional systems are regenerative, but the terms describe different aspects of capability.

“Source” means delivering power to the DUT, and “sink” means absorbing power from the DUT (electronic-load behavior). Bidirectional systems combine these functions in one platform and are commonly used when a DUT can both consume and return energy.

Choose based on DC vs AC/grid simulation and power level:

• Mi-BEAM is positioned as a modular bidirectional regenerative programmable DC platform (12.5–37.5 kW range) with high-voltage options and parallel scalability.
• i‑BEAM is positioned for higher-power bidirectional regenerative DC testing with scalable system power and multi-channel options.
• Sequoia is positioned as a regenerative grid simulator / four‑quadrant bidirectional AC source for grid-connected testing (e.g., inverters, V2G/EVSE, UPS) with disturbance simulation.

Yes. AMETEK states Mi‑BEAM is scalable up to 1.2 MW with parallel systems, and i‑BEAM is scalable up to 1.3 MW with parallel systems.

Automation typically depends on having reliable remote control interfaces and command support. AMETEK lists multiple control/interface options on i‑BEAM (including networked/automation-oriented options) and standard interfaces on Mi‑BEAM, supporting integration into test environments.

Use multi-channel when you need to test multiple DUTs, run parallel test steps, or supply multiple rails/strings simultaneously. AMETEK Programmable Power’s i‑BEAM explicitly supports single-channel, 2-channel, and 4-channel configurations, making it relevant for multi-channel test benches.

EV power electronics testing often requires equipment that can deliver and absorb energy during dynamic conditions. AMETEK Programmable Power positions Mi‑BEAM for electric powertrain testing, and Sequoia for testing grid-connected and EV power electronics contexts such as V2G/EVSE and inverter-related applications.

Choose Sequoia when you need a grid simulator / bidirectional AC source to simulate AC line conditions, disturbances, and grid-tied behavior for equipment like solar inverters, UPS systems, or V2G/EVSE testing.

AMETEK Programmable Power provides a dedicated Battery Cycler page that routes directly to Mi‑BEAM and i‑BEAM as bidirectional battery cycling options.