This section provides an overview for electronic loads as well as their applications and principles. Also, please take a look at the list of 21 electronic load manufacturers and their company rankings. Here are the top-ranked electronic load companies as of November, 2024: 1.B&K Precision Corporation, 2.Telednye LeCroy, 3.Chroma ATE Inc..
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Categories Related to Electronic Loads
An Electronic Load is a device that is connected to the device under test and functions as a load resistor.
Conventionally, a resistor was connected to the device under test and used as the load, but the resistor had to be replaced every time the resistance value was changed. The advantage of an Electronic Load is that the load size can be set arbitrarily.
By using an external controller, the load setting can be switched at high speed. In addition, there are functions such as constant-current mode, in which a constant current is applied from the device under test, and constant-voltage mode, in which the output voltage of the device under test is maintained at a constant level, making it suitable for a variety of measurements and tests.
Electronic Loads are used for performance evaluation tests and product inspections of electronic circuits, power supplies, batteries, and other devices. Specifically, the following are some of the uses of electronic loads:
In addition, since the load can be controlled by an external controller, it can be used to automate testing, such as by changing the load conditions to suit the purpose.
Electronic Load has a built-in amplifier composed of a bipolar transistor or FET that controls the current (load current) drawn into it. The characteristic functions are described below.
The method of power consumption and conversion depends on the type of Electronic Load.
Thermal Conversion Type Electronic Load
The power consumed in Electronic Load is converted into heat by the semiconductor elements that make up the amplifier. This is apparently the same effect as when current flows through a resistor, but since the semiconductor elements generate heat, a heat dissipation mechanism is required.
Power Regenerative Electronic Load
Electric power input into an Electronic Load is converted into alternating current by an inverter. Since the converted current is returned to the power distribution network, power consumption is small and heat dissipation is relatively simple. However, since the regenerated power energy is returned to the power grid, it is limited to environments where grid-connected operation is possible.
In general, Electronic Loads are equipped with the following four modes, and the most appropriate mode is selected according to the purpose of the test:
Constant Current Mode
In this mode, the Electronic Load operates with a set constant current, regardless of its input voltage. The Electronic Load is adapted so that the load current remains constant even when the output voltage of the device under test fluctuates.
Constant Resister Mode
In this mode, the set resistance value is held constant like a fixed resistance. It is characterized by maintaining the set resistance value except during the transient period immediately after power-on. This mode is useful for conducting capacity tests on batteries, star-tup tests for electronic equipment, and other scenarios where load current needs to vary linearly with input voltage.
Constant Voltage Mode
This mode maintains the output voltage of the device under test at a constant value. When the output voltage of the device under test fluctuates, the Electronic Load changes the load current to maintain a constant output voltage. As a result, the output voltage of the device under test remains constant, although the load current fluctuates.
It is often used for testing fuel cells and battery chargers, among other. In battery charger testing, complex battery voltage behavior can be reproduced and tested with Electronic Loads.
Constant Power mode
In this mode, the Electronic Load works to consume the set power. First, the voltage of the device under test is measured, the current value is calculated based on that voltage and the set power value, and the current is drawn accordingly.
Electronic Loads are indispensable in the development and production of power sources such as power supplies and batteries when testing the performance of each device. The following are some considerations when selecting an Electronic Load device:
If the device under test is a power supply, it should, in principle, have a power capacity that covers its maximum output power. The withstand voltage specification must also be greater than or equal to the voltage that may actually be applied to the device.
Electronic Loads are generally difficult to use in the lower voltage range, and the minimum voltage that an Electronic Load can handle is called the minimum operating voltage. As mentioned above, Electronic Loads control the current that flows through an amplifier composed of a bipolar transistor or FET. Therefore, if the voltage is below the voltage at which that amplifier operates, the Electronic Load will not operate properly.
As a result, the current cannot be drawn at a lower voltage than a certain voltage. That is, if the voltage at both ends of the Electronic Load is lower than the minimum operating voltage, it will not operate.
For Electronic Loads, attention should be paid to the specifications of the ambient temperature that guarantees the maximum load. In particular, it must be taken into account that thermally-converted Electronic Loads are limited to use at high temperatures because the ambient temperature rises due to their own heat generation.
In addition, there may be a limit to the time that the maximum load can be maintained, so it is necessary to check the descriptions in catalogs and spec sheets in advance.
*Including some distributors, etc.
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Telednye LeCroy was established in 1964 in Chestnut Ridge, New York and is a designer and manufacturer of oscilloscopes, modular data acquisition, sensors and calibrators for testing and improving design processes. The company makes LCR meters, electronic loads, torque sensors and load cells, PCI Express, and waveform generators for these industries: military and aerospace, consumer electronics, telecommunications, semiconductor and automotive. It also provides protocol technology training, automotive and device Interoperability testing, and signal integrity academy training services.
B&K Precision Corporation, established in 1951 and headquartered in Yorba Linda, California, stands as a manufacturer and supplier of test and measurement instruments. Its offerings span various industries and applications, including power supplies and DC electronic loads for power testing, signal generators for signal creation, component testers for evaluating electronic components, oscilloscopes for signal waveform analysis, and spectrum analyzers for frequency spectrum measurement. These solutions provide more options for electronic system design and development across education, research, engineering, production, and maintenance sectors. The company holds ISO 9001:2015 certification for its quality management.
Keysight Technologies, Inc. was founded in 1939 and headquartered in Santa Rosa, California. Keysight is a global developer and manufacturer of electronic design and test solutions to communications, networking, aerospace, defense, and government, automotive, energy, semiconductor, electronic, and education industries. Keysight’s communications solutions group solutions include electronic design automation software; radio frequency and microwave test solutions, hardware and virtual network test platforms and software applications, as well as optical laser source solutions. Keysight’s electronic industrial solutions group offers various design tools and verification tools. Keysight offers product support, technical support, and training and consulting services. It sells its products through direct sales force, distributors, resellers, and manufacturer's representatives.
Höcherl & Hackl GmbH, established in 1986 and headquartered in Bavaria, Germany, is a manufacturerand developer of electronic loads and testing devices. The company specializes in 4-quadrant power supplies, electronic loads, and testing for power supplies, energy storage units, and fuel cells. Its electronic loads spanning from DC to AC are equipped with MPP-tracking and internal resistance measurement, enhancing automation and versatility for testing batteries, solar cells, and control units. The company's SCL series, designed for DUTs to deliver high currents down to near 0 V or into short circuits, is suitable for fuel cell testing.
Changzhou Tonghui Electronic Co. Ltd. is a manufacturer of electronic testing and measurement instruments founded in 1994 and based in Changzhou, Jiangsu, China. The company produces equipment used for testing and measurement processes, and related accessories. Its products include capacitance meters, insulation testers for electrical safety compliance testing, and automatic semiconductor test systems. It also offers data loggers, power supply units, and test leads. The company's products are mainly used by clients in the microelectronics, semiconductor, and defense sectors.
B2 Electronics, established in 2001 and headquartered in Vorarlberg, Austria is a manufacturer that specializes in high voltage testing, specifically VLF cable testing. The company offers a range of products for high-voltage testing, including VLF test sets, cable fault locators, and partial discharge measurement systems. It also offers software solutions such as the BA Control Center. Its VLF test sets are compact and portable, with an unmatched high voltage output power-to-weight ratio. It serves a wide range of industries such as power utilities, electronics manufacturing, appliances, and electrical.
Chroma ATE Inc., established in 1984, is an instrument manufacturer and supplier based in Taoyuan City, Taiwan. Operating under the Chroma brand, the company provides electronic test and measurement equipment for automated optical inspection, flat panel display validation, electric vehicle component testing, and electrical safety device assessment. This equipment is also utilized for energy storage systems (ESSs) and power conversion systems (PCSs) verification, light-emitting diode (LED) and driver analysis, passive component testing, and photovoltaic inverter validation. The company also provides intelligent manufacturing execution systems (MESs). Furthermore, the company operates a laboratory, certified to perform alternating current (AC)/direct current (DC) and resistance calibration.
SIGLENT Technologies was established in 2002 and is headquartered in Shenzhen, China, and specializes in the design, manufacturing, and supplying of electronic measurement instruments. The company develops oscilloscopes, waveform generators, spectrum analyzers, digital multimeters, and other essential testing equipment. These instruments have various applications and are used by engineers, researchers, educators, and technicians. Their clientele includes research institutions, educational institutions, electronics manufacturers, and service providers. The company also provides solutions to Automotive electronics usually for testing equipment and to Intelligent Manufacturing where it helps with EMI debugging and even IoT industries benefit with aid in the verification of devices.
KIKUSUI ELECTRONICS CORP., founded in Yokohama, Kanagawa in 1951 is a manufacturer od electronic measuring instruments, electronic loads, and safety test equipment. The company's product portfolio includes Electrical Safety Testers, EMC Testers, Harmonics and Flicker Testers, Battery/Capacitor Testers, and AC Electronic Loads. The company serves industries such as Oil and Gas, Aerospace and Defense, Automotive and Transportation, Construction, and Power Generation. The company provides services such as Product Selection Guidance, Engineering Support, and Custom Manufacturing.
GW Instek or Good Will Instruments is a Taiwanese instrument maker founded in 1975. GW Instek has over 300 product lines, which include Oscilloscopes, Spectrum Analyzers, Signal Sources, Basic Tests and Measurement Instruments, Safety Monitoring Systems, and more. Leading manufacturers choose them as their test and measurement provider. GW Instek has become the leading brand in the electronic test and measurement industry. They help electronic industries reduce testing costs and increase competitiveness. GW Instek has subsidiaries in five countries and is sold to more than 80. Their mission is to reduce total costs and create customers value from cost savings.
Matsusada Precision Inc is located in Shiga, Japan, and was established in 1978, known as the developer, manufacturer, and global supplier of power supply products and imaging products. The power supply products include high voltage amplifiers, AC, DC, and regenerative DC power supplies as well as optical sensors, which have their use in research centers, aerospace, analytical instruments, electronics, and almost all industries that use power to operate. The imaging products are associated with businesses that use X-ray inspection as a service such as life sciences and electronics Environmental improvement equipment is also supplied, but only in Japan.
NF Corporation was founded in 1959 and is headquartered in Yokohama, Japan. The company serves automobile, clean energy technologies, aerospace, and digital appliance industries. The ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 certified company combines a vertically integrated approach of development, engineering, manufacturing, sales, and field services. The company’s product segments include function modules, electric measurement instruments, and power supply and control products. The company also builds customized products for customers including EMC testing systems, lithium-ion battery charging and discharge testing systems, and bipolar power amplifiers.
CGS GmbH, established in 1985 and headquartered in Markt Schwaben, Germany, is a manufacturer of test systems and test software for electronic control units. The company's products include cRIO-modules, electronic boards, and multifunctional devices. It provides test software programming with optimized module testing times using lab windows/CVI, test stand, LabVIEW, and other national instruments products. The company's systems include sensor-programmerhot, MFTS-system, and Lifetime-Tester. It offers software development, hardware development, and design engineering services with electronics, mechanics, and software expertise.
TEKTRONIX, INC., founded in 1946, is a manufacturer of measurement solutions used in 3D sensing, EMI/ EMC testing, high-speed serial communication, material science engineering, and Wireless & RF testing. The products include oscilloscopes & probes, signal generators, margin testers, multimeters, and analyzers. The company's products are used in advanced research, aerospace & defense, automotive, power semiconductor, and medical industries. The Bracknell Berkshire company offers calibration, repair, asset management, package assembling, and testing services following NEMA, HAlT & HASS, environmental, and shock-vibration testing.
Gossen Metrawatt GmbH, founded in 1906 as Guggenheimer AG and currently a subsidiary of GMC Instruments Group, is a manufacturer and supplier based in Nürnberg, Germany, developing measuring technology systems. The company’s measuring and test technology is designed for electric safety in systems, devices, and machines. This technology is also applicable in areas such as e-mobility and medical engineering. It also offers battery testing technology, multimeters, calibrators, and power supply technology. Its product range further includes technology developed by other companies, such as Camille Bauer Metrawatt AG, including indicator instruments and transducers.
Rigol Technologies Co. Ltd., founded in 1998 and headquartered in Suzhou, China, is a general electronic measuring instrument designer, manufacturer, and supplier. The company's core products include oscilloscopes, waveform generators, and spectrum analyzers. It also produces RF signal generators, handheld multimeters, and electronic data acquisition instruments. These products are used in scientific and industrial laboratories for research, product testing, and design. The company's services include calibration, repair, and the supply of the Rigol-Care warranty extension program.
PeakTech Prüf- und Messtechnik GmbH, established in 1957 and based in Ahrensburg, Germany, is a manufacturer and supplier of electronic measurement technology. The company's product portfolio includes multimeters, voltage testers, thermal imaging cameras, isolating transformers, and sound level meters, as well as calibrators. These products are applied in various industries, including electrical engineering, environmental monitoring, aviation, telecommunications, and research and development. The company provides customer services, including technical support, repair, service requests, and product development.
Aim and Thurlby Thandar Instruments, founded in 1989 and based in Huntingdon, UK, is a manufacturer of electronic test and measurement equipment and laboratory supplies. Its products include EMC analyzers, waveform amplifiers, pulse generators, multimeters, and DC power supplies. It also provides accessories related to the products, including power adaptors, cases, rack mounts, cables, and connectors. The company complies with the WEEE directive, and all its products are listed in Annex I of the RoHS directive. It sells its products worldwide through various distributors, and all the products are designed and manufactured at the Huntingdon facility.
TEXIO TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION has been in operation in Japan for over 60 years. TEXIO specializes in custom orders of a variety of different products including power supplies. TEXIO also specializes in DC power supplies, oscilloscopes, multimeters, function generators, and safety testers.
GMC Instruments is the result of a merger in 1993 from companies originally dating back to 1906. Under the Gossen Metrawatt and Camille Bauer brands, the company provides hardware, software, and services to several industries including medical devices and manufacturing. The company’s hardware division provides electrical safety devices, photometry equipment, energy management systems, and vital signs measurement devices. The company’s software lineup includes database management software, power analysis software, and medical device software.
Ranking as of November 2024
Derivation MethodRank | Company | Click Share |
---|---|---|
1 | Chroma ATE Inc. |
13.4%
|
2 | B&K Precision Corporation |
11.3%
|
3 | Gossen Metrawatt GmbH |
8.2%
|
4 | Telednye LeCroy |
7.2%
|
5 | Matsusada Precision Inc. |
7.2%
|
6 | Keysight Technologies |
7.2%
|
7 | JOJO Technologies Co., Ltd. |
5.2%
|
8 | Changzhou Tonghui Electronic Co. Ltd. |
5.2%
|
9 | SIGLENT TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD. |
5.2%
|
10 | b2 electronics GmbH |
4.1%
|
Derivation Method
The ranking is calculated based on the click share within the electronic load page as of November 2024. Click share is defined as the total number of clicks for all companies during the period divided by the number of clicks for each company.Number of Employees
Newly Established Company
Company with a History
*Including some distributors, etc.
*Including some distributors, etc.
Country | Number of Companies | Share (%) |
---|---|---|
Japan | 4 | 28.6% |
United States of America | 3 | 21.4% |
Germany | 2 | 14.3% |
China | 2 | 14.3% |
Taiwan | 2 | 14.3% |
Austria | 1 | 7.1% |
3 products are listed.
Teledyne LeCroy
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■ Characteristics ・ Operation in up to 7 modes ・ Cover from simple electronic load to product test