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mPower 311 DC Programmable
Autoranging Power Supply

Marway’s lab quality mPower DC power supply includes many advanced capabilities usually found only in systems costing much more. A cornerstone feature is the autoranging dc output. The benefit of autoranging allows a single modestly-powered supply to cover test cases of higher voltage or current compared to conventional power supplies. Autoranging saves capital costs and rack space, and even simplifies test setup. (Learn more about autoranging.)

As a programmable power supply, mPower offers Modbus and SCPI command protocols which can be sent directly through USB or Ethernet, or wrapped in variety of higher level field bus protocols such as Profibus, ProfiNet, EtherCAT, variations of CAN, and others.

The 311 Series power supply includes a function generator with multiple built-in wave forms, and a large touch display with a menu and form driven control for programming.

With dozens of models, mPower provides solutions for low and high voltage power supply needs, low and high current power supply needs, and the ability to “stack” or parallel multiple units together to achieve high power capacities as well.

Powerful capabilities

  • Available in 1.5 and 3.0 kW (2U), 5, 10, and 15 kW (3U) and 30 kW (4U) totalling almost 50 models.
  • Up to 64 parallel units. With the 30 kW models, it’s possible to power up to 1,920 total kW with each unit having up to 2,000 Vdc or up to 1,000 amps.
  • Programmable dc output using ModBus and SCPI protocols on a variety of interfaces.
  • Operate in constant voltage, current, power, or resistance mode.
  • Autoranging dc output delivers full power for a wider range of voltage and current settings.
  • Active power factor correction of input power.
  • Function generator to automate profiles for the dc output voltage or current.
  • Data logging to USB drive.
  • Remotely controllable through Windows®, LabView®, and your own custom scripts.
  • Sense bus to measure and adjust dc output at the load to ensure the DUT gets the precise voltage the test calls for.
  • Safety features including user interface lockout and quick discharge circuitry. Built-in alerts for over voltage, current, power, and temperature.
A photo of Marway mPower DC power supplies Series 300 and 311 model sizes available up to 30 kW.
Top to bottom: 311 Series mPower rackmount dc power supply product lines include 2U (1.5, 3.0 kW), 3U (5, 10, 15 kW), 4U (30 kW). All models feature autoranging dc output, are programmable with ModBus and SCPI on a variety of interfaces, and allow parallel connection of up to 64 units.
Illustration of the 311 series touch screen home view.
The touchscreen display’s main view shows measured values, setpoint limits, power mode, and other operating modes. Limit setpoints (small numbers in light colored fields) are edited by touching them. Function generator control and configuration settings are just a tap away.

Function Generator

  • Multiple standard wave forms.
  • Arbitrary wave forms with up to 99 steps.
  • XY-Table functions with USB import/export.
  • Programmable on screen, or using ModBus or SCPI commands.

A common need for a programmable dc power supply is to deliver the output voltage or current with a pattern other than a straight-line dc signal. The built-in function generator of the 311 Series is able to create various signal forms and apply these to the set value of the dc output voltage or current. The function generator includes options for sine, triangle, rectangle, and trapezoid waveforms, as well as custom arbitrary wave forms. Additionally there are configuration tools for ramping and UI tables. Table configuration data can be exported to and imported from a USB port on the front of the system.

The function generator can be configured on screen with menu- and form-driven options. It can also be programmed using ModBus or SCPI commands, or driven using LabView VIs.

Stylized version of the function generator menu showing the various wave types.
Function configuration is done through a menu- and form-driven user interface on the touchscreen control panel. Touching parameter values opens a panel to edit values. The function generator is also programmable using ModBus and SCPI commands.

Renewable Energy Simulations

  • Photovoltaic power simulations.
  • Fuel cell power simulations.

With the rapid time to market demands in renewable energy systems, having the ability to simulate key power sources can save time during development and manufacturing testing. mPower has the ability to simulate PV power sources using either a simple or extended model simulation, and fuel cell power sources as well.

Built in configuration tools simplify simulations to entering a few parameters via GUI touch panel (or remote programming). The power supply software then generates the power profile.

Stylized version of the function generator menu showing the various wave types.
The function generator includes simulations for photovoltaic and fuel cell power sources. Configuration is performed through a menu-driven user interface on the touchscreen control panel, or through remote programming.

Programming and Remote Control

The advantage of a programmable power supply is the ability to automate test sequences during device development or production. The programmable part is the ability to set the voltage, current, power, and other settings with a script or program on a remote computer. As the product being tested is powered, the power levels can be changed to follow specialized patterns, known as waveforms or profiles, and switched on and off automatically to verify the product‘s functionality with different power inputs.

  • Remote control is available through a Windows® program, LabView®, or through custom scripting.
  • Scripting is done using ModBus and/or SCPI protocols.
  • 311 Series features USB, Ethernet, AnyBus, and analog remote control (AnyBus enables RS-232, Ethernet, ModBus TCP, EtherCAT, CAN, OpenCAN, Profibus, and ProfiNET).

Individual units can be controlled over any of the available interfaces. For manual control of a nearby, but difficult to reach unit, a Windows application can be used over USB.

Alternatively, once a unit is configured to run with specific parameters, remote control is possible through an analog interface which gives dc output control, alarm notification, and the ability to monitor a few key values.

The back panels of four mPower dc power supplies.
The 311 Series comes standard with USB, Ethernet, an Anybus port, and anlaog interfaces.

Multi-unit Parallel Setups

  • Increase the total current and power with parallel units.
  • 311 Series can run up to 64 units in parallel.
  • All models can be used in a “control” or “expansion” role.

For large power needs, whether permanent or temporary, it can be useful (and cost effective) to combine smaller units in parallel rather than acquiring a large dc power supply to cover those cases.

For managing multiple parallel-wired systems, there are two buses in use. All series have the Share bus. This helps multiple units communicate power status for balancing the dc output. The 311 series also have a logic bus which further adds the ability for a control unit to adjust setpoints, control dc output switching, monitor alarms, and manage other data across all units.

Running systems in parallel requires that each unit is from the same series. With the 311 Series, each unit can be a different model (though it is safest to use the same voltage ratings).

The back view of three mPower 311 Series 2U dc power supplies wired for parallel operation.
All models can be used in parallel configuration to increase the total current and power capacity. For the 311 Series, control cabing between systems allows one unit to be the controller for all systems.

Available Models

The 311 Series provides a wide range of power options with an advanced control system, function generator, and menu-driven touchscreen operation. Offering 1.5 kW to 30 kW, up to 2000 Vdc, and up to 1000 Amps, the 311 series can be either a high voltage power supply, or a high current power supply. Thanks to the autoranging power core, for many applications it can be both!

Front and back of a 2U mPower 311 series of autoranging programmable dc power supplies.
The 311 2U Series programmable rackmount dc power supply family comes in 1.5 kW and 3.0 kW power capacities.
mPower 311 series of autoranging programmable dc power supplies in a 3U chassis.
The 311 3U Series is a programmable rackmount dc power supply family with 5 kW, 10 kW, and 15 kW models. Not shown is the 4U series with 30 kW capacity in a single enclosure.