Bidirectional load
What is a bidirectional load?
A bidirectional load is an electronic source-sink test instrument that can not only absorb electrical energy, but also provide it depending on the operating mode. It is used for DC and AC testing when the energy flow between the device under test and the test instrument needs to occur in both directions, for example with batteries, energy storage systems, inverters, bidirectional power supplies or DC/DC converters.
In sink mode, the bidirectional load applies a load to the device under test like an electronic load. In source mode, it operates as a current or voltage source. This allows charging and discharging processes, regenerative operating conditions, load changes and operating states of modern power electronics to be tested under realistic conditions.
Important: Bidirectional does not automatically mean regenerative. A bidirectional load can absorb and provide energy. Whether the absorbed energy is converted into heat, transferred internally or fed back into the supply grid depends on the device type.
Typical selection criteria include AC or DC operation, voltage range, current range, power, control speed, measurement accuracy, operating modes, interfaces and regenerative capability.
Further information and suitable products can be found in our webshop in the category Electronic Loads.