Bidirectional current flow
The instrument sources or sinks current, switching between power-supply and electronic-load operation.
N8361 – Bidirectional Single-Channel Battery Simulator up to 20 V
For battery-powered electronics with programmable charging and discharging states, SOC profiles and fault simulation.
The N8361 is a single-channel battery simulator for 0–20 V, ±10 A, and up to 200 W. Its bidirectional current flow combines source and sink operation with programmable output impedance, SOC profiles, and battery scenarios for the development and production of compact battery-powered electronics.
Emulated battery behavior
Programmable internal resistance from 0 to 20 Ω, SOC sequences, and fault simulation reproduce different battery states.
Fine current measurement
Three measurement ranges extend down to ±1 mA, with 0.1 µA resolution in this range.
Ready for integration
LAN, RS232, CAN, digital I/O, and front and rear terminals support benchtop and system setups.
Personal project consultation
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Select the appropriate technical configuration or access product documentation directly.
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 battery simulator overview
The N8361 reproduces the electrical behavior of compact batteries with a bidirectional single-channel architecture. The N8361-20-10 operates with a positive output voltage from 0 to 20 V and can source or sink up to ±10 A; channel power is 200 W. In addition to conventional source operation, it provides charge, battery, SOC, sequence, and fault simulation functions. Programmable output impedance from 0 to 20 Ω supports emulation of changing battery internal resistance. Three current measurement ranges combine the full operating range with fine resolution for low currents. Remote sense compensates lead voltage drops, while a separate DVM measures external voltages from −30 to +30 V. The compact 2U instrument can use front or rear terminals and integrates into automated test systems through LAN, RS232, or CAN.
Key benefits
Source and sink
Current flows in both directions, allowing one instrument to power the DUT and absorb returning energy.
Program internal resistance
Adjustable output impedance from 0 to 20 Ω reproduces the load-dependent voltage change of real batteries.
Model states of charge
Up to eight SOC files with 200 steps each link capacity, open-circuit voltage, current limits, and internal resistance.
Repeat test sequences
Ten sequence files with up to 200 steps each store voltage, current limits, resistance, dwell time, and loops.
Measure external voltage
The integrated single-channel DVM measures −30 to +30 V with 0.1 mV resolution and displays changes directly.
Connect the test system
LAN, RS232, CAN, external trigger, and front/rear terminals simplify remote control, integration, and changing setups.
Operating principle of the bidirectional battery simulator
The N8361 output voltage remains positive within the 0 to 20 V range. Current, however, can flow in either direction: in source operation the instrument powers the DUT, while in sink operation it absorbs current. This allows charge and discharge states to be investigated with one instrument. A switching element in the output physically disconnects the external circuit when the output is off.
For more realistic battery emulation, a variable internal resistance is applied to the programmed open-circuit voltage, producing a defined voltage drop under load. SOC profiles combine capacity, voltage, current limits, and resistance step by step; battery simulation can run voltage ramps using start, increment, and end values plus a time interval.
Power range and model
| Model | Channels | Voltage | Current | Power |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| N8361-20-10 | 1 | 0–20 V | −10 to +10 A | 200 W |
Maximum power applies to the single channel. Voltage, current, and power must remain within their limits simultaneously at the required operating point. The N8361 does not generate negative output voltage; the current sign indicates the direction of energy flow.
Accuracy, measurement ranges, and dynamics
| Parameter | Value | Condition |
|---|---|---|
| Voltage setting | 0.1 mV resolution; 0.01% + 3 mV accuracy | 23 ± 5 °C |
| Voltage readback | 0.1 mV resolution; 0.01% + 2 mV accuracy | 23 ± 5 °C |
| Current range 1 | −10 to +10 A; 0.1 mA resolution; 0.05% + 4 mA accuracy | 23 ± 5 °C |
| Current range 2 | −1 to +1 A; 0.01 mA resolution; 0.05% + 0.4 mA accuracy | 23 ± 5 °C |
| Current range 3 | −1 to +1 mA; 0.1 µA resolution; 0.05% + 1 µA accuracy | 23 ± 5 °C |
| Voltage rise / fall | < 50 µs | 10–90% or 90–10%, no load and purely resistive full load |
| Transient recovery | < 100 µs; 600 mV voltage drop | 10 to 90% load step at full output voltage; recovery to 50 mV below the previous value |
| Communication response | ≤ 10 ms | Instrument specification |
Observe measurement conditions: Accuracy specifications apply within one year after calibration at 18–28 °C and up to 80% relative humidity; a 30-minute warm-up is specified before accuracy measurements.
Operating modes and programmable functions
| Function | Operation | Use in testing |
|---|---|---|
| Source | Constant voltage with separate limits for sourced and absorbed current | Power a DUT while controlling bidirectional current |
| Charge | Voltage, input/output current limits, and simulated resistance | Reproduce charge and discharge conditions |
| Battery | Voltage ramp with start, increment, end, interval, current criterion, and internal resistance | Run a repeatable battery characteristic in single or continuous cycles |
| SOC | Up to eight files with 200 steps each for capacity, voltage, current limits, and resistance | Reproduce the dependence of open-circuit voltage and internal resistance on state of charge |
| SEQ | Up to ten files with 200 steps each, dwell times, and linked loops | Run repeatable test profiles automatically |
| Fault | Normal operation, short circuit, negative or positive terminal open, and reversed polarity | Investigate DUT response to defined battery faults |
Typical applications
Test battery protection boards
Bidirectional current, internal-resistance simulation, and fault simulation support functional testing under different battery states.
Develop and produce portable electronics
Mobile phones, Bluetooth earphones, and smartwatches can be powered and tested with repeatable voltage, current, and SOC profiles.
DC/DC converters and wireless charging
Small battery-powered supplies and wireless-charging products are evaluated using defined battery voltage and current direction.
Production testing of power tools
For electric screwdrivers and similar products, the N8361 provides programmable battery states in repeatable production tests.
Test battery maintenance equipment
Source/sink operation and adjustable internal resistance reproduce different charge and discharge situations for maintenance devices.
Interfaces and automation
| Equipment | Function | Note |
|---|---|---|
| LAN | Remote control over a local network | Configurable IP address |
| RS232 | Serial remote control | Baud rates from 9,600 to 115,200 |
| CAN | CAN-bus communication | CANH, CANL, and ground at the trigger/CAN terminal |
| Digital I/O | External 5 V TTL trigger for output on/off; status output | Supports triggered test processes |
| USB | USB storage at the front port | Instrument function at the front panel |
| Remote sense | Four-wire measurement directly at the DUT | Compensates voltage drops in load leads |
Installation and operating environment
| Feature | Specification | Practical relevance |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 88 × 214 × 388 mm (H × W × D), 2U | Compact benchtop instrument; approx. 4 kg |
| AC input | Single-phase 100–240 V AC, 47–63 Hz | ≤ 2 A at 220 V; ≤ 4 A at 110 V |
| Temperature | Operating 0–40 °C; storage −20 to +60 °C | Operate within the specified environmental limits |
| Environment | Altitude < 2,000 m; 5–90% RH, non-condensing; 80–110 kPa | For laboratory and system use within these conditions |
| Terminals | Input/output at front or rear | Do not use front and rear terminals simultaneously |
Protection functions
Programmable overvoltage (OVP), overcurrent (OCP), and overpower (OPP) thresholds limit the respective operating value. When a protection trips, the output is shut down immediately and the corresponding status is shown on the display. A threshold of 0 disables that protection function. Separate limits for absorbed and sourced current are also available in the operating modes.
Frequently asked questions about the N8361
Does the N8361 generate negative output voltage?
No. Output voltage ranges from 0 to 20 V. Current is bidirectional from −10 to +10 A, allowing the instrument to source and absorb energy.
What battery internal resistance can it simulate?
Simulated resistance is programmable from 0 to 20 Ω and can be used in battery, charge, SOC, and sequence profiles.
How large can SOC and sequence programs be?
Up to eight SOC files and ten sequence files are available. Each file can contain up to 200 steps.
How are lead losses compensated?
The four-wire remote-sense connection measures voltage directly at the DUT and compensates the voltage drop across the load leads.
Can an additional voltage be measured?
Yes. The integrated single-channel DVM measures external DC voltages from −30 to +30 V with 0.1 mV resolution.
Is the N8361 suitable for battery protection boards?
Yes. Bidirectional operation plus short-circuit, terminal-open, and reverse-polarity simulation supports defined functional tests on battery protection circuits.
Can it test portable consumer electronics?
Yes. Mobile phones, Bluetooth earphones, and smartwatches are among the intended R&D and production applications of the series.
Can it test DC/DC converters and wireless-charging products?
Yes. For small battery-powered supplies, the N8361 provides repeatable voltage, current limits, internal resistance, and battery states.
Technical consultation and project enquiry
Would you like to reproduce battery states, current directions, or fault scenarios for your DUT? Please provide the voltage and current range, minimum measurement currents, required profiles, interfaces, and planned setup. We will help you assess the N8361 for your application.
