SAN DIEGO, February 26, 2019 – AMETEK Programmable Power, the global leader in programmable AC and DC power test solutions, has added two new models to its Asterion™ line of AC power sources.

The Asterion 4503 supplies AC and DC output power up to 4,500 VA or 4,500 W, and the Asterion 6003 supplies up to 6,000 VA or 6,000 W. Both units come in a 4U chassis and can supply single- or three-phase output power.

Like the lower-power 1U and 2U models, Asterion Models 4503 and 6003 offer a compelling combination of intelligence, performance, and modularity that make them the most adaptable and affordable platform available today.

The key to Asterion’s outstanding performance is AMETEK’s iX2™ current-doubling technology. With iX2, as the output voltage decreases from the maximum value to one-half the maximum value, the available output current increases up to two times the rated output current.

This allows Asterion to maintain maximum power through the widest range of voltages. As a result, iX2 current-doubling technology eliminates the need to buy multiple sources or overpowered sources to run tests at different voltage levels, such as when performing low line voltage testing.

Asterion offers wide AC and DC output voltage ranges up to 400 Vac and 500 Vdc. Load and line regulation are +/-0.025% and +/-0.015%, respectively. This makes the Asterion more versatile and accurate than most other AC power sources available today.

Other unique Asterion benefits include Auto-Paralleling and Clock/Lock. With auto-paralleling, users can combine up to six units to achieve 36 kVA of output power. One unit becomes the leader while the rest serve as follower units. The clock/lock feature allows users to easily configure multi-phase systems, such as split-phase, three-phase, or even higher phase count systems.

This allows users to purchase only the power they need today and then easily add more power and/or phases later as required. That scalability, along with the ability to expand easily as required, helps protect the value of the user’s initial investment and allows additional capital spending to be deferred until needed.

In addition, test engineers will appreciate the Asterion AC source’s ease of use. AMETEK developed an entirely new user interface for this platform. The intuitive, touch-screen interface, not found on other AC sources, allows users to quickly and easily set up the source and run tests. The Asterion offers a complete avionics test suite as an option, with a programmable frequency between 16Hz and 5000 Hz.

This powerful set of features allows Asterion to be used in both the lab and in ATE systems. If the Asterion is used as part of an ATE system, test engineers can order it without a front panel, which offers significant savings.

Asterion comes with standard LXI LAN, USB, and RS-232 interfaces. An optional GPIB interface is also available. Intuitive Virtual Panels control GUI software comes bundled with the instrument for easy remote control from a computer. Included drivers allow test engineers to quickly integrate the unit into ATE systems.

Additional Information
For more information on AMETEK’s programmable power supplies and programmable loads, contact an authorized AMETEK Programmable Power sales representative in the United States by visiting our Sales Representative Locator Tool. AMETEK Programmable Power also can be contacted directly tollfree at 800-733-5427 or 858-450-0085 or at sales.ppd@ametek.com.

Company Overview
Located in San Diego, CA, AMETEK Programmable Power designs, manufactures, and markets precision, AC and DC programmable power supplies, electronic loads, application specific power subsystems, and compliance test solutions for customers requiring and valuing differentiated power products and services. Also part of our business is VTI Instruments, which delivers precision modular instrumentation and systems for electronic signal distribution, acquisition, and monitoring, used in the world's most demanding test applications.

AMETEK Programmable Power boasts one of the industries' broadest portfolios of programmable power products under the well-known and respected Sorensen, Elgar, and California Instruments brands. AMETEK Programmable Power’s products serve a wide range of stimulus (T&M) and process power needs in applications including semiconductor fabrication, commercial and defense ATE, oil exploration, solar array and battery string simulation, avionics, general R&D and EMC compliance testing.

VTI Instruments provides products and systems which are used to monitor and record data that characterizes the physical integrity and performance of aircraft, engines, and other large structures, as well as automate the functional testing of complex electronic systems. VTI Instruments is recognized as an industry leader with a reputation of providing reliable data, first time, every time.

With strong brands, a broad product portfolio, exceptional precision power conversion and control expertise, proven power system integration capabilities and deep applications knowledge, AMETEK Programmable Power is your source for programmable power supplies, precision data acquisition instruments, and more.