Overview

The SYSTEM 8 Programmable Power Supply (PPS) draws on more than 35 years of ABI Electronics design and manufacturing and is the most capable power module built for the SYSTEM 8 system. It is USB driven and holds three channels of equal capability, each fully isolated and independent, with 300V peak isolation to the adjacent channel and to earth, so one rail cannot disturb another. Each channel on its own delivers up to 0-40VDC, 0-8A and 40W; channels can also be put in series for up to 120VDC and 120W, or in parallel for up to 24A and 120W, to match the load. Through ABI SYSTEM 8 Ultimate software the engineer sets custom overvoltage and overcurrent protection, reverses output polarity in software, and runs group modes such as isolated voltage tracking, power sequencing and voltage stacking. Software and hardware triggers combined with voltage and current comparison return a PASS/FAIL result. Modules stack and several can be controlled at once, and software updates are free for life. That makes the PPS a fit for low to medium volume production test, predictive and corrective maintenance and PCB troubleshooting.

Key specifications

Channels	3 fully isolated, independent channels
Voltage range per channel	0-40VDC max
Current range per channel	0-8A max
Power per channel	40W max
Series configuration	Up to 120VDC / 8A / 120W
Parallel configuration	Up to 40VDC / 24A / 120W
Channel isolation	300V peak to adjacent channel and earth
Protection	Custom overvoltage protection, custom overcurrent protection, emergency stop
Voltage sense	Local and remote voltage sense
Interface	USB
Status indication	RGB output status LEDs
Software	ABI SYSTEM 8 Ultimate (free lifetime updates)

Features

Three fully isolated independent outputs

Three channels of equal capability, each fully isolated and independent, with 300V peak isolation to the adjacent channel and earth so supply paths never interfere.

Series, parallel and group modes

Series to 120VDC, parallel to 24A, plus group modes for isolated voltage tracking, power sequencing and voltage stacking to suit varied loads.

Custom protection and emergency stop

Overvoltage and overcurrent limits are user-defined, and an emergency stop cuts every connected channel to protect the unit under test and the operator.

Polarity reversed in software

Output polarity flips from software, so supply direction changes without touching the wiring and test changeover is faster.

USB control with PASS/FAIL verdicts

Connected over USB to ABI SYSTEM 8 Ultimate, software and hardware triggers plus voltage and current comparison produce automatic PASS/FAIL results.

Modular stacking

Several modules stack and are controlled together, legacy VPS settings can be imported, and free lifetime software updates keep adding capability.

Typical applications

Board repair

Safe powered diagnosis of a faulty board

When a repair engineer powers up a board already known to be faulty, the programmable current limit of the PPS sets an exact voltage and current ceiling on every rail, so a short or damaged part cannot cause further harm. SYSTEM 8 software logs the supply conditions and current profile of each step, making the repair traceable and repeatable.

Production test

Automated multi-channel supply at end of line

In small and medium volume production, the fully isolated PPS outputs feed boards with several rails, such as 3.3V, 5V and 12V, independently and stably at the same time. The SYSTEM 8 test flow controls power-up sequence and protection thresholds centrally, replacing the wiring and manual adjustment of several separate supplies and cutting changeover and setup time.

Prototype validation

First power-up and characterization of a new board in development

At prototype bring-up, the development engineer ramps each rail gradually with the PPS while watching current draw on every channel, confirming that the power design behaves as intended. The software records every setting and measurement along the way, leaving a complete debug history for the next board revision.

Options and configuration

Tick the options you need. We compile the configuration into a list and carry it into the quote request form so we can quote you accurately.

Standard equipment (included)

3 fully isolated independent DC outputsEach channel 0-40VDC / 0-8A / 40W max, with 300V peak isolation to the adjacent channel and earth; rails do not interfere with each other.

USB interfaceConnects to the host over USB and is controlled from ABI SYSTEM 8 Ultimate software.

RGB output status LEDsOne RGB indicator per channel showing output status in real time.

Variable Power Supply Cable SetSupplied cable set: 1x logic signal lead, 2x ground leads, 1x +V output lead, 1x -V output lead.

ABI SYSTEM 8 Ultimate software (free lifetime updates)Includes Instrument Designer, TestFlow automated test manager and Report Manager, upgraded free of charge.

Hardware installation

Internal PCI installationFits a 5.25-inch drive bay in the host PC, powered from the PC supply and connected through the PCI interface, saving bench space. MultiLink external case (USB)Housed in the MultiLink external case and connected over USB; takes no PC slot and suits a standalone bench setup. 5 bay external case (up to 5 SYSTEM 8 modules, USB)Housed in the 5 bay external case alongside up to 4 other SYSTEM 8 modules, all controlled over one USB link. Multi-module stackingConnect and control several PPS modules at once to add supply channels and total power as required.

Software control functions

Series mode (up to 120VDC / 8A / 120W)Three channels in series stack the voltage up to 120VDC for high-voltage units under test. Parallel mode (up to 40VDC / 24A / 120W)Three channels in parallel deliver up to 24A for high-current load tests. Isolated Voltage TrackingSoftware links several channels so they track with a fixed voltage ratio, useful for verifying multi-rail supply designs. Power SequencingSets the power-up and power-down order of each channel to mimic the real system start-up and protect sensitive circuits. Software polarity reversalReverses output polarity from software, switching between positive and negative supply without rewiring. Remote SenseSenses voltage at the load to compensate for lead drop, so the unit under test receives the exact set voltage. Load Compensation (LOCAL operation)Enables load compensation in LOCAL mode to improve output voltage accuracy (added in Ultimate 3.58). PASS/FAIL voltage and current comparisonSoftware and hardware triggers compare measured values against set tolerances and output a PASS/FAIL result for automated measurement flows.

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SYSTEM 8 Programmable Power Supply (PPS)