Programmable Electronic Loads Offer Cooling and Operating-Mode Options

The proliferation of renewable-energy applications is driving an increasing need to test batteries, fuel cells, solar panels, and other devices that produce renewable DC power. An electronic load is the ideal instrument to characterize DC-output devices under test in the lab or on the production floor. When selecting an electronic load, you will want to consider several options, including power, voltage, and current ratings; cooling method; operating modes; calibration techniques; transient response time; computer-control interfaces; and protective features.