We use several fully equipped Chroma stations. They can deliver more than 4 kW of load and consist of two 63601-5 and one 63600-2 mainframes. The mainframes mentioned above host ten 63640-80-80 [400 W] electronic loads, along with a single 63610-80-20 [100 W x2] module.
Chroma loads are widely used by all PSU manufacturers and are pretty much the standard for PSU measurements. Finally, all of our equipment is controlled and monitored by a custom-made software suite that's highly sophisticated.
In addition to the Chroma loads, we also use two Chroma AC sources (6530 with 3kW and 61604 with 2kW max power), Kesight DSOX3024A and Rigol DS2072A oscilloscopes, several Picoscope 4444 oscilloscopes, and TC-08 thermocouple data loggers, two Fluke multimeters (models 289 and 175), a Keithley 2015 THD 6.5- digit bench DMM and four lab-grade 3-phase power analyzers (three N4L PPA1530 and a single PPA5530). We recently acquired some Rohde & Schwarz HMC8015 power analyzers.
To protect our Chroma AC sources, we use high-quality online (meaning that they always run off the battery providing the best possible protection and line filtering) UPS systems with 3000VA/2700W capacity each. Two from FSP (Champ Tower 3k), and the other two by Cyberpower (OLS3000E).
Our testing gear also includes hotboxes, which allow us to test PSUs at high ambient temperatures. Finally, we have a Class 1 Brüel & Kjaer 2250-L G4 Sound Analyzer equipped with a type 4955-A low-noise and free-field microphone that can measure down to 5 dB(A) (we also have a type 4189 microphone that features a 16.6-140 dBA-weighted dynamic range). We also have a Class 1 Brüel & Kjaer 2270 Sound Analyzer, equipped with a type 4955-A microphone.
The infrared camera is a high-end Fluke model, the Ti480 Pro. Using an IR camera is not so straightforward, especially in a PSU, since you have to apply a special coating or paint to the parts you want to check. In any case, we also double confirm our findings through temperature probes.
We have several soldering and desoldering stations that we use during the dismantling process of every PSU we test. Test results are one thing while checking out the build quality of a PSU is another. Finally, if we encounter any unusual results during the testing process, we examine the internals of a PSU to find out what is causing the issues.
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