Two-quadrant operation
Bidirectional current flow allows the instrument to supply electrical energy to the DUT and absorb energy from it.
N8361 – Single-Channel Battery Simulator up to 20 V and ±10 A
Compact single-channel simulator for the development, production and testing of battery-powered electronics.
The N8361 series is a programmable single-channel battery simulator for the development, quality assurance and production of battery-powered electronics. It reproduces defined battery conditions for protection circuits, portable devices, compact DC/DC converters, wireless chargers and maintenance equipment while supporting repeatable charging, discharging and fault-state tests.
Programmable battery profiles
Internal resistance, SOC curves and multi-step sequences reproduce different battery conditions.
Fast voltage transitions
Rise and fall times below 50 µs support dynamic testing of battery-powered assemblies.
Automated integration
LAN, RS232, CAN and an external trigger support integration into automated test sequences.
Personal project consultation
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ART. NO.
Description
Current [A]
Power [P]
Voltage [V]
N8361-20-10
|
Description
N8361-20-10 High-accuracy bidirectional 1-channel battery simulator, 20 V, ±10 A, 200 W, 2U
|
Current [A]
10
|
Power [P]
200
|
Voltage [V]
20
|
Desktop Cell Simulator
Technical Data
Design
Desktop Unit
Height
2
Interfaces / Protocols
max. current per channel
max. power per channel
max. voltage per channel
Number of channels
1
Product category
Battery Cell Simulators
Type of Batterycellsimulator
Benchtop Unit
< 10 Channels
Uni-/Bidirectional
Bidirectional
N8361 overview
The N8361 series is a programmable single-channel battery simulator for testing battery-powered electronics. The N8361-20-10 model combines a voltage range of 0 to 20 V, a bidirectional current range of ±10 A and a channel power rating of 200 W. With current flow in both directions, the instrument operates as a source and sink and can reproduce both charging and discharging conditions. Programmable output voltage, separate current limits for both current directions and variable internal resistance support the simulation of defined battery characteristics.
Battery, SOC, sequence and fault simulations are available for repeatable test procedures. The compact instrument provides front and rear connections, four-wire sensing, an integrated DVM and LAN, RS232 and CAN interfaces. Typical applications include protection circuits, portable electronics, small power supplies, wireless chargers, power tools and battery maintenance systems.
Key benefits
Bidirectional current flow
The N8361 can supply and absorb current, allowing charging and discharging processes to be tested with one instrument.
Fast voltage dynamics
Rise and fall times below 50 µs support tests with rapid changes in the simulated battery condition.
Fine current resolution
Three current measurement ranges provide resolution down to 0.1 µA in the smallest range.
Variable internal resistance
Programmable resistance from 0 to 20 Ω reproduces changes in battery internal resistance over state of charge.
Integrated voltage measurement
The integrated single-channel DVM measures external DC voltages from −30 to +30 V with 0.1 mV resolution.
Four-wire sensing
Remote sense compensates for voltage drops in the connection leads and improves the voltage at the DUT.
Battery simulator operating principle
The N8361 provides a programmable DC voltage and limits incoming and outgoing current to the configured values. Its bipolar current direction allows it to deliver electrical energy to the device under test or absorb current from it. One instrument therefore reproduces both the supply function of a battery and its behaviour during charging.
In addition to voltage and current limits, the simulated internal resistance and time- or state-dependent voltage curves can be programmed for battery emulation. SOC files assign battery capacity, open-circuit voltage, current limits and internal resistance to individual data points. Sequences execute freely defined operating points with adjustable dwell time and repetition.
The output contains a switching element. When the output is disabled, the electrical connection to the external circuit is physically interrupted.
Power range and technical specifications
The N8361-20-10 version provides the specified operating range. Voltage, current and channel power are designed for an operating range up to 20 V, ±10 A and 200 W. Positive and negative current directions are used for source and sink operation.
| Characteristic | N8361-20-10 | Technical classification |
|---|---|---|
| Channels | 1 channel | One independent battery-simulation channel |
| Voltage range | 0 to 20 V | Programmable DC voltage in CV operation |
| Current range | −10 to +10 A | Bidirectional source and sink current |
| Channel power | 200 W | Maximum power of the single channel |
| Voltage resolution | 0.1 mV | Programming and readback resolution |
| Voltage programming accuracy | 0.01% + 3 mV | At 23 ±5 °C |
| Voltage readback accuracy | 0.01% + 2 mV | At 23 ±5 °C |
| Load regulation | 0.01% | Stability against load changes |
| Line regulation | 0.01% | Stability against changes in the supply |
| Voltage ripple | 1 mV RMS | Measurement bandwidth 20 Hz to 20 MHz |
| Simulated internal resistance | 0 to 20 Ω | Programmable output impedance |
Current measurement ranges
| Measurement range | Resolution | Accuracy at 23 ±5 °C |
|---|---|---|
| −10 to +10 A | 0.1 mA | 0.05% + 4 mA |
| −1 to +1 A | 0.01 mA | 0.05% + 0.4 mA |
| −1 to +1 mA | 0.1 µA | 0.05% + 1 µA |
Dynamics and control behaviour
The dynamic specifications describe different processes and must not be treated as equivalent. Rise and fall time describe the actual voltage transition from 10% to 90% or from 90% to 10% of the final value. Settling time instead describes the time required to reach a stable programmed voltage.
| Parameter | Value | Test condition or meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Voltage rise time | <50 µs | 10% to 90%, no load and full resistive load |
| Voltage fall time | <50 µs | 90% to 10%, no load and full resistive load |
| Voltage settling time | ≤10 ms | Time required to establish the programmed output voltage |
| Transient voltage drop | 600 mV | Load step from 10% to 90% at full output voltage |
| Transient recovery time | <100 µs | Recovery to 50 mV below the previous voltage |
| Communication response time | ≤10 ms | Remote-communication response time |
Operating modes and programmable functions
| Function | Settings | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| Source Mode | CV setpoint, input and output current limits, and automatic or fixed current measurement range selection | Supplying and electrically testing battery-powered devices |
| Charge Mode | Voltage, bidirectional current limits and simulated internal resistance | Reproducing charging and discharging conditions |
| Battery simulation | Start, step and end voltage, time interval, internal resistance, current cut-off condition and single or continuous cycle | Stepwise variation of a simulated battery condition |
| SOC Edit and SOC Test | Up to 8 files with as many as 200 steps each for capacity, voltage, current limits and internal resistance | Reproducing the relationship between state of charge, open-circuit voltage and internal resistance |
| SEQ Edit and SEQ Test | Up to 10 files with as many as 200 steps each, including dwell times, repetitions and links between steps | Automated testing with freely defined operating-point sequences |
| Fault simulation | Normal, short circuit, open negative terminal, open positive terminal and reverse polarity | Testing DUT response to electrical battery faults |
| Graph display | Graphical display via the instrument interface | Monitoring the active test procedure directly on the instrument |
Sequence files support up to 9,999 repetitions at file level. The dwell time of an individual step can be programmed from 0 to 99.999 s.
Typical applications
The N8361 is intended for compact battery-powered assemblies and devices that require repeatable testing under defined voltage, current, internal-resistance or fault conditions.
Battery protection circuits
Protection boards are subjected to defined charging, discharging, short-circuit, open-circuit and reverse-polarity conditions.
Portable consumer electronics
Smartphones, Bluetooth headphones and smartwatches can be developed and tested under repeatable battery and SOC conditions.
DC/DC converters and wireless charging
Small battery-powered supplies and wireless-charging assemblies are tested with dynamic voltages and limited currents.
Production and end-of-line testing
Repeatable sequences, remote control and trigger functions support automated testing of power tools and portable devices.
Battery maintenance equipment
Charging and maintenance systems are tested against defined battery voltages, internal resistance and current directions.
Interfaces, measurement and automation
| Function or interface | Status | Scope |
|---|---|---|
| LAN | Standard | Remote control via a local network; factory IP address 192.168.0.123 |
| RS232 | Standard | DB-9 interface for serial remote control; baud rates from 9,600 to 115,200 |
| CAN | Standard | CAN bus connection at the rear trigger/CAN terminal; switchable impedance matching in the system settings |
| SCPI commands | Supported | Remote-control examples are available for Source, Charge, Battery and SOC functions |
| Digital trigger | Standard | External trigger input with 5 V TTL level and status signal for automated procedures |
| USB | Standard | Front USB storage connection; the screenshot function is activated from the instrument keypad |
| Remote sense | Standard | Four-wire connection to compensate for voltage drop between the instrument and DUT |
| Integrated DVM | Standard | One measurement channel from −30 to +30 V, 0.1 mV resolution, 4 Hz measurement rate and 2 MΩ input resistance |
Installation and infrastructure
| Requirement | Specification or note |
|---|---|
| Mains connection | Single-phase, 100 to 240 V AC, 47 to 63 Hz |
| Mains current | ≤2 A at 220 V or ≤4 A at 110 V |
| Fuse | 250 V, 16 A, 20 × 5 mm ceramic fuse |
| Earthing | Operation only from a mains outlet with protective-earth connection |
| Cooling | Air cooling via the rear air outlet |
| Operating temperature | 0 to 40 °C |
| Storage temperature | −20 to +60 °C |
| Relative humidity | 5 to 90% RH, non-condensing |
| Installation altitude | Below 2,000 m |
| Air pressure | 80 to 110 kPa |
| Dimensions | 88.0 × 214.0 × 388.0 mm, corresponding to 2 U height |
| Net weight | Approx. 4 kg |
| Output connections | Front and rear connections are provided but must not be used simultaneously |
Protection and safety functions
Overvoltage protection
When the configured OVP value is reached, the output is switched off and the protection message is shown on the display.
Overcurrent protection
OCP monitors incoming and outgoing current and switches off the output immediately when triggered.
Overpower protection
If the programmed power threshold is exceeded, the output is switched off and the fault is displayed.
The channel must be disabled before changing the output wiring. For four-wire measurement, the sense mode must be set to Remote. The maximum permissible values at the output terminals are determined by the rated voltage and rated current of the instrument.
N8361 FAQ
Can the N8361 both supply and absorb current?
Yes. The current range is bidirectional and extends from −10 to +10 A on the N8361-20-10.
Can the battery internal resistance be programmed?
Yes. The simulated internal resistance can be programmed from 0 to 20 Ω.
How detailed can SOC profiles be?
Up to 8 SOC files are available, each containing as many as 200 steps for capacity, voltage, current limits and internal resistance.
What does sequence operation provide?
Up to 10 sequence files with 200 steps each can be programmed. Each step supports voltage, current limits, internal resistance, dwell time and step links.
Which fault conditions can be simulated?
Available states are normal operation, short circuit, open positive terminal, open negative terminal and reverse polarity.
Which interfaces are available for automation?
The N8361 provides LAN, RS232 and CAN. An external trigger and a USB storage connection are also available.
Is external voltage measurement available?
Yes. The integrated DVM measures external DC voltages from −30 to +30 V with 0.1 mV resolution.
May the front and rear terminals be used at the same time?
No. The front and rear channel terminals must not be connected simultaneously.
Technical consultation and project enquiry
For selection and integration of the N8361, we review your requirements for voltage, current direction, battery profiles, measurement ranges, dynamics and automation. Tell us about the DUT, the required charging and discharging conditions and the planned laboratory, ATE or production setup.
Contact ET System technical consultation