Current Generator
Up to 150 kVA Output Power
Up to 40 kA Output Current
Less than 10V Output Voltage
AC or DC Output Power
What is a Current Generator?
Current Generators are special AC Power Sources able to provide an arbitrarily high output current (up to tens of thousand of Amps) and a low output voltage (less than 10V).
In other words, the generator’s output current is static and constant (as decided by the user), while the voltage on the output terminals depends on the load. Hence, if the load can absorb the set current without exceeding the voltage limit, the generator can work properly, otherwise the protection triggers.
How do current generators work?
MCB’s Current Generators convert energy with these steps:
- Rectification of the three-phase AC input voltage to DC
- PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) with high power Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistors (IGBT)
- Output filter
- For AC generators, an output transformer converts the current back to AC
Since there are no moving parts, the dynamic response is linear and fast (e.g. from 0 to 6’000 Amps in about 150ms).
Our Current Generators – The Power Flow
AT A GLANCE
- Equipped with isolation autotransformer
- For AC Output, the phases working modes are:
- SS (single-phase input and output)
- TS (three-phase input single-phase output)
- TT (three-phase input and output)
- For DC Output, input can be either single-phase or three-phase.
- Mechanical: Rack 19″, Towers and Maxi-Towers
- Control Panels:
- LCD Display 4×40 along with command buttons
- LCD 7″ touchscreen along with encoder
- Communication Interfaces (Remote Control):
- Physical Interfaces: RS-232, Ethernet, 12 poles I/O (0-10 Vdc)
- Communication protocols: SCPI (over RS-232 and Ethernet)
- LabView Drivers
STANDARD FEATURES
- Current regulation
- Setup of the maximum current value
- Sensing Function (Voltage drop compensation)
- For AC output
- 50Hz, 60Hz and 400Hz quartz output frequencies
- Frequency regulation (40-80Hz) or custom ranges
- CosΦ and Frequency values visualization
Current Generator Applications
The typical Current Generator applications are industry related, for example:
Busbars
Testing busbar impedance and quality of its connection points.
Magnetothermic Switches
Testing of magnetothermic switches and automatic circuit breakers.
Electric Motors Testbench
Powering of electric motors testbenches.
Shunt Calibration
Current Generators are used for Shunt calibration and testing by providing fixed high current.
Case History of Current Generators
MCB Electronics design and deliver Current Generators in any reasonable configuration of current, voltage and frequency ranges, both AC and DC. These machines are very particular, so they must be tailored to the customer requirements. Therefore, we don’t have a standard product family, but we respond to customers inquiries. For instance, we delivered these unique devices:

AC – 20kVA
Single phase output – Current adjustable between 10 to 4000 A – Maximum voltage 5V – Power: 1 phase x 4000A x 5V = 20kVA

AC – 150kVA
Three phase output – Current adjustable between 500 to 6250 A – Maximum voltage 8V – Power: 3 phase x 6000A x 8V = 150kVA

DC – 90kW
Input 3x350Vac – 440Vac – 50/60Hz – Output Current adjustable between 1000Amp and 15000Amp – Output Voltage adjustable between 1Vdc and 6Vdc – Output Power: 6Vdc x 15000A = 90kW – Selection of current peak duration
Do you want to know more about our Current Generators? For help, inquiries and customizations, Get in touch with us!