2.1.1. Key Features Overview¶

MagnaLINK™ Distributred Digital Control Magna-Power developed its MagnaLINK™ digital control platform from the ground up to utilize an array of four Texas Instruments DSPs distributed across various internal assemblies. High-speed board-to-board communications is achieved between DSPs utilizing an internally developed low-level communication protocol. A custom bootloader ensures long-term support with multi-target firmware updates and synchronization. New capabilities are achieved with the MagnaLINK digital architecture, some of which include: slew rate control, gain modification, 16-bit precision, 100 ppm stability, user-defined sequencing and function generation, and digital hybrid master-slaving.
Reliable Current-Fed Power Processing All MagnaDC programmable DC power supplies utilize high-frequency IGBT- and MOSFET-based power processing in current-fed topology. This topology adds an additional stage over the conventional voltage-fed topology for enhanced control and system protection, ensuring that even under a fault condition, the power supply will self-protect. Due to the self-protecting characteristics of this topology, the possibility of fast rising current spikes and magnetic core saturation is eliminated. This topology coupled with state-of-the-art Silicon Carbide (SiC) power semiconductors enables the ALx Series to deliver class-leading power density, reliability and efficiency with continuous full-power operation up to 50°C ambient. Read Current-Fed Topology White Paper.
Intuitive, Bright, Long-Lasting Front Panel Interface Prioritizing brightness and reliability, the ALx Series features of a hybrid display with bright green segments for voltage and current output and a multi-line display for power measurement, settings configuration, and status messages. A black-anodized machined aluminum control knob enables precise dialing of control set points, while a 10-digit key and arrow buttons provide digital set point inputs with 16-bit precision. In addition, a dedicated Lock button enables users to lock out the front panel to prevent unwanted changes from the front panel. Easily connect a computer to the ALx Series without going behind it by using the front panel USB port; a rear-mounted USB port is also provided.
Communication Interfaces for Industrial Control ALx Series MagnaLOAD DC electronic load come standard with Dual USB (front and back) and RS485. Options are available to provide seamless fully integrated communication for either traditional TCP/IP network control (SCPI or Modbus) or through direct control over industrial communication interfaces (Modbus). Magna-Power has taken significant measures to ensure comprehensive command-set support and documentation across the following optional interfaces: CANopen (+CAN), EtherCAT (+ECAT), EtherNet/IP (+EIP), LXI TCP/IP Ethernet (+LXI), Modbus-TCP (+MTCP), and PROFINET (+PROF).
Standard Safety Features with Emergency Stop The ALx Series features a soft-start circuit to eliminate large peak in-rush currents from the AC mains, ensuring AC current draw never exceeds the current draw at full load. The ALx Series programmable DC power supplies have extensive safety and diagnostic functions, including: AC Phase Loss, Over Voltage Trip (Programmable), Over Current Trip (Programmable), Over Power Trip (Programmable), Cleared Fuse, Over Voltage on Program Line Input, Over Temperature on Internal Heatsink or Output Capacitors, Internal Communications Fault, Interlock and Emergency Stop Fault. When a fault is detected, the power supply immediately shuts down power processing circuit, utilizing the immediate one-shot trip (OSHT) zone event for inverter PWM channels. Users can easily identify faults using the Status message display or by SCPI/Modbus commands. Finally, both interlock and emergency stop features are included as standard. The interlock feature provides a 5V interlock input, which when coupled with the provided 5V reference signal, allows for a dry contact to easily trigger a latching interlock fault, while maintaining control power. A separate emergency stop feature bypasses all logic and processors to provide a hardware-only path to easily interrupt AC power to the ALx Series power supply with a 24V signal, providing a full hardware shutdown.
Plug & Play Master-Slaving The ALx Series includes Magna-Power’s next-generation digital hybrid master-slaving interface via dual digital MagnaLINK communication ports. With support up to 12 units in a master-slave set, users can easily expand their current capability by adding more units in parallel. A secondary current sense connection is provided, which provides real-time analog current feedback to the master, enabling reliable, high-accuracy measurement aggregation to a single display.
Target Diagnostics for Easy Field Servicing The ALx Series introduces Magna-Power’s Target Diagnostics feature, mapping the status LEDs for every major assembly to a rear mounted LED matrix. This LED matrix provides the statuses of each internal assembly, easily allowing users or support teams to understand faults or configuration issues, while keeping products mounted and covers on. The Target Diagnostics feature coupled with MagnaCTRL’s EPROM editor offers a robust suite of remote support tools to effectively reduce downtime.
Software Integration with Ease With standard support for Standard Commands for Programmable Instrumentation (SCPI) and Modbus, ALx Series power supplies provide an easy-to-use API with well-documented commands in readable text. Over 60 commands allow programmatic access to product registers, starting and stopping the product, control of voltage, current and power, slew rate control, high-accuracy measurement queries, and product configuration. Simple scripting or complex software can be achieved, with extensive documentation and examples provided by Magna-Power.
Configurable User I/O for Analog & Digital Controls All ALx Series power supplies come standard with a 26-pin D-Sub connector designated as the External User I/O. This connector provides: 8 Digital Outputs (5V logic), 4 Digital Inputs (5V logic), 4 Analog Outputs (0-10V logic), 4 Analog Inputs (0-10V logic). The External User I/O is isolated from the output terminals and referenced to earth ground. The connector’s pins are user configurable, allowing users to select the functions needed in their application, while providing future capability for new features. Use the digital outputs to integrate the power supply with, for example, external enable signals or digital fault monitoring logic, or monitor voltage-current using the analog 0-10V outputs. A dedicated high-speed analog input is also provided, sampled at 2 kHz for near real-time control.
Included MagnaCTRL Software Magna-Power’s brand new MagnaCTRL Software comes standard with all ALx Series products, providing a modern, feature-rich, multi-product control platform. MagnaCTRL provides various Panels to allow for computer-based control, monitoring, sequencing, and firmware update capabilities.
Made in the USA, Available Worldwide MagnaDC programmable DC power supplies are designed and manufactured at Magna-Power’s 73,500 sq-ft vertically integrated USA manufacturing facility in Flemington, New Jersey. From raw materials to the completed product, Magna-Power has insourced nearly the entire production process to maintain complete control of quality, cost, and build-time. Heat-sinks and various metal assemblies are machined through both automated CNC and EDM. Sheet metal is cut, punched, sanded, bent, and powder coated in-house. Magnetics are wound-to-order from validated designs based on a model’s voltage and current. A full surface mount technology (SMT) with multiple stages of 3D automated optical inspection ensures high-quality printed circuit board assemblies. Finally, after assembly, products undergo comprehensive test and calibration, followed by an extended burn-in period. Products are sold directly from the factory and through distribution, with a service network around the world. Tour Magna-Power’s Manufacturing.