Pendulum Instruments · High Voltage, High Current Linear Amplifiers
P100
Single-channel high voltage, high current linear amplifier, fixed gain x10, bipolar ±50 V / 2 A output
The P100 goes the opposite way from the A series: only ±50 V of output, but 2 A of continuous current and about 128 W of output power. If your load is resistive, or a large capacitance that needs real charging current at speed, and what it wants is current rather than voltage, this is the right category. Gain is a fixed, ultra-linear x10 from a ±10 V input. Pendulum specifies the P100 for resistive and capacitive loads and rules out inductive loads, so coils and solenoids are not candidates. Start selection from the load impedance: if 50 V divided by the load resistance exceeds 2 A, this unit will sit in current limit and you need a higher-power model.
Overview
Amplifier catalogs pull attention toward voltage, but drive capability is really the combination of voltage and current. Capacitive loads (piezo, electrostatic) want high voltage and a current that rises with frequency; resistive loads (heaters, resistive test fixtures, high-power sensor excitation) and large capacitances want sustained current while the voltage requirement is often modest. The P100 is built for the second group: ±50 V with 2 A continuous and about 128 W. Bipolar output matters wherever the drive direction has to reverse. The x10 gain is ultra-linear, so the output tracks the input in exact proportion, a requirement for force control and current-feedback applications. Built-in current limiting acts when the load impedance is abnormal. One caution from the manufacturer: the P series is designed for resistive and capacitive loads and must not be used with inductive loads, so voice coils, solenoids and electromagnets belong on a different driver. In practice, the first step in selecting this class of amplifier is to measure the load's actual impedance; nameplate and measured values often differ, and that figure decides how much voltage headroom you need.
Key specifications
| Amplification | x10 (fixed gain, ultra-linear) |
|---|---|
| Input voltage range | ±10 V (maximum rating) |
| Output voltage range | ±50 V (bipolar) |
| Output current (continuous) | 2 A (with current-limit protection) |
| Max output power | approx. 128 W |
| Bandwidth (full swing, 100 Vpp) | DC to 100 kHz |
| Bandwidth (small signal) | DC to >300 kHz |
| Slew rate | 30 V/µs |
| Max capacitive load | 200 nF (at factory setting) |
| Input impedance | 1 MΩ (30 pF in parallel) |
| Output impedance | 1 Ω (linear mode) |
| Mains input | 100/110 V or 220/230 V, 50/60 Hz |
Features
2 A continuous output
Resistive loads and large capacitances need current rather than voltage; this is the amplifier in the family that supplies it.
±50 V bipolar
Drive direction can reverse, so two-direction control of a resistive or capacitive load needs no external bridge circuit.
About 128 W
Enough power for mid-sized actuators and fixtures, not only small-signal lab loads.
Ultra-linear x10
Output tracks input in exact proportion, a prerequisite for force control and current-feedback applications.
Measure the load impedance first
Nameplate and measured values often differ; the measured impedance decides the voltage headroom you need. Resistive and capacitive loads only, never inductive.
No constraints on the source
Any function generator or arbitrary waveform generator works as the input; no particular brand or interface is required.
Typical applications
Piezo drive
Precision piezo actuator control and dynamic characterization
R&D engineers output a ±10V signal from an arbitrary waveform generator, the P100 amplifies it to ±50V / 2A, and it drives stacked piezo actuators or piezo scanning stages directly for nanometer displacement control and frequency-response measurement. The bipolar linear output keeps the actuator free of harmonic distortion across the full travel, suited to precision optical alignment and active vibration suppression.
Microdevice characterization
Electrical characterization of MEMS, OLED and liquid crystal devices
In device development and production QC, engineers must apply high-voltage sweeps beyond what an ordinary source can deliver to MEMS sensors, OLED panels and liquid crystal modules. The P100 acts as the power stage, lifting the function generator signal to the required drive voltage, while its fixed x10 gain and low output impedance preserve waveform fidelity, so C-V curves, switching timing and aging tests repeat well.
Instrument expansion
High-voltage signal conditioning and power expansion on the test bench
The function and arbitrary waveform generators already on the bench often lack the current and voltage to drive a large capacitive or low-impedance device under test directly. Placing the P100 at the end of the signal chain adds up to 128 W of output across the full-swing DC to 100 kHz band, and the built-in short-circuit protection keeps both the DUT and the instruments safe. No custom high-voltage drive circuit is needed, which shortens test setup considerably.
Options and configuration
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Standard equipment (included)
Model and specification options
Service options
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