Programmable DC Electronic Loads for Power Conversion Testing
Chroma programmable DC electronic loads provide precise, repeatable load simulation for testing power supplies, batteries, DC-DC converters, chargers, fuel cells, solar equipment, EV components, and AI server power systems. By electronically controlling the current and power drawn from a device under test, a DC load allows engineers to evaluate performance, efficiency, transient response, protection functions, and long-term reliability under realistic operating conditions.
Chroma offers one of the industry’s broadest selections of DC electronic loads, ranging from compact benchtop and modular instruments to ultra-low-voltage, high-current, high-power, and regenerative load systems. Available solutions support applications from individual power components and multi-output power supplies to high-voltage battery systems and megawatt-level AI data center power infrastructure.
What is a DC Load?
A DC electronic load is a programmable test instrument that safely draws and controls power from a DC source, such as a power supply, battery, charger, fuel cell, or DC-DC converter. Engineers use DC electronic loads to simulate real-world operating conditions and measure performance, efficiency, voltage regulation, transient response, protection functions, and reliability across a wide range of power electronics applications.
DC Load Selection Guide
Find the Right DC Electronic Load
Whether you are testing a compact power adapter, multi-output power supply, battery system, EV power converter, AI processor, or high-voltage server power rack, Chroma can provide a programmable DC electronic load configured for your voltage, current, power, speed, and automation requirements.
| Series | Load Type | Power Range | Voltage Range | Maximum Current | Best For | Product Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 63000 Series | Benchtop DC electronic load | 250W–350W | Up to 150V | Up to 60A | Adapters, batteries, chargers, DC-DC converters, and general low-power supply testing | View Series |
| 6310/A Series | Modular DC electronic load | 30W–1,200W per module | Up to 500V* | Up to 240A* | Multi-output power supplies, LED drivers, chargers, production testing, and synchronized multi-channel loading | View Series |
| 63600 Series | High-density modular DC electronic load | 100W–400W per module; up to 2kW per mainframe | Up to 600V | Up to 80A per module | Server power supplies, ATX supplies, fuel cells, adapters, chargers, and multi-output devices | View Series |
| 63202A-20 | Ultra-low-voltage, high-current DC electronic load | 2kW | Up to 20V | Up to 2,000A | AI processors, GPUs, CPUs, VRMs, VRDs, point-of-load converters, and low-voltage high-current devices | View Product |
| 63200A Series | High-power DC electronic load | 2kW–24kW per unit; scalable to 240kW | Up to 1,200V* | Up to 2,000A* | High-power supplies, batteries, fuel cells, EV components, telecom power, and dynamic load testing | View Series |
| 63700 Series | Regenerative DC electronic load | 6kW–18kW per unit; up to 180kW in parallel | 600V, 1,200V, or 1,800V | Up to 120A per unit | EV batteries, onboard chargers, EVSE, fuel cells, energy storage, burn-in, and high-power reliability testing | View Series |
| 63700H Series | High-speed regenerative DC load system | 80kW or 120kW per rack; scalable to 1.2MW | 80V or 1,000V | Up to 2,650A per rack | AI server power shelves, power racks, BBU shelves, HVDC systems, peak-power profiles, and EDPP testing | View Series |
| 62000D Series | Bidirectional DC power supply and regenerative load | 6kW–45kW per unit | Up to 2,000V | Up to 540A | Applications requiring both DC sourcing and sinking, including batteries, EV components, PCS, onboard chargers, and PV inverters | View Series |
| Pactiv-R / LoadSlammer | AI GPU and FPGA Load Simulator | 1.5kW | 2 x 60V | 1,800A | Design, validation, and power integrity testing using real-world load conditions across CPUs, GPUs, FPGAs, ASICs, and AI accelerators | View Product |
* Available voltage, current, and power ratings vary by model or module. Review the individual product specifications to confirm compatibility with your application.
Need Help Choosing a DC Electronic Load?
Tell us your required voltage, current, power, transient speed, and test application. A Chroma specialist can help identify the right system.
DC Electronic Load Applications
Chroma DC electronic loads help engineers reproduce real-world loading behavior, identify design weaknesses, verify power supply regulation, and confirm that devices operate reliably throughout their intended range.
Power Conversion Testing
Programmable DC loads simulate the operating conditions placed on AC-DC power supplies, DC-DC converters, adapters, chargers, and other power conversion devices. Engineers can measure load regulation, efficiency, transient recovery, output protection, startup behavior, and response to sudden changes in demand.
AI Server and Data Center Power Testing
AI accelerators, GPUs, power shelves, battery backup units, and high-voltage DC power systems create extremely fast and demanding load profiles. Chroma solutions include ultra-low-voltage loads for processor-level power delivery testing and high-speed regenerative systems for power racks and large AI server power architectures.
Battery and Energy Storage Testing
DC electronic loads can be used to discharge batteries and energy storage devices under controlled current, power, or resistance conditions. Engineers can evaluate battery capacity, discharge characteristics, runtime, voltage response, protection circuitry, and performance under changing load profiles.
Renewable Energy Testing
Fuel cells, photovoltaic systems, and other renewable power sources require controlled loading across changing voltage and current conditions. A programmable DC load enables repeatable characterization of output performance, operating efficiency, voltage stability, and response to dynamic demand.
Integrate modular and/or programmable DC loads into automated test systems for design verification, quality assurance, compliance testing, and high-throughput production environments.
Programmable DC loads simulate the operating conditions of DC EVSE (EV Supply Equipment), on-board chargers, DC-DC converters, and motor drivers.
DC Electronic Load FAQs
What is a DC electronic load?
A programmable instrument that safely “sinks” (draws) current from a power source — the opposite of a power supply — so engineers can test how a power supply, battery, charger, or fuel cell behaves under controlled load conditions.
When regulating voltage, is the measured voltage read the actual voltage, or is it the initial desired voltage?
Yes, when you send the “measure” command to instrument, you can read the actual voltage. And when you send the “fetch” command to instrument, you can read the value from buffer.
When regulating current, is the measured current read the actual current, or is it the initial desired current?
Yes, when you send the “measure” command to instrument, you can read the actual current. And when you send the “fetch” command to instrument, you can read the value from buffer.
What is the significance of having “three current ranges” in your loads?
A third, low current operating and measurement range has been designed into the 63600 DC Loads to provide solutions for emerging sleep, idle and standby mode testing required by Energy Star consumer electronics. This capability eliminates having to use complex and unique test bench equipment. Ideal for all types of consumer electronics when precision current settings and measurements are required at milliamp and microamp levels.
What is the sampling rate of the current, and voltage measurements?
63600 series DC Loads measures the current and voltage with each 2us, but the measurement is depend on the window time as user’s define. 63200 series DC Load measures the current and voltage with each 20ms, and 62000P series DC Power Supply measures the current and voltage with each 200ms.
What is the response time of the current, voltage, and power regulation, and through what interface?
Yes. LCR meters are widely used for capacitor testing and can measure capacitance along with characteristics such as dissipation factor, ESR, impedance, and phase. Dedicated equipment may also be used when capacitor leakage current or insulation resistance needs to be evaluated.
What is the purpose of the CZ mode on the 63600 series DC Load? Can an example be provided?
Constant Impedance mode or CZ mode improves the loading behavior of constant current and power making the loading current more realistic. You can specify the values of a series R and L as well as a shunt R and C. In this mode, the minimum loading current transient time is 400 µs.
What is the lowest operating voltage of Chroma’s DC Loads?
Chroma’s DC Loads are among the best in the industry for low voltage applications. Each of Chroma’s DC Load families have a published derating profile showing at what voltage the loads begin to derate. As an example, Chroma’s Model 63600 DC Load will draw full current down to approximately 0.4VDC and then linearly derates to about 100mV.
Featured Articles
Our Electronic Loads are designed to satisfy both automated test system and laboratory benchtop requirements.
Electronic Loads Application Notes
Browse application notes related to Electronic Loads. Chroma’s application notes provide insight and context to assist test engineers with a particular technology, instrument, or application for their bench-top, R&D, design verification and/or ATE requirements and specifications.
