Learning Resources
Browse applications, knowledge base articles, programming guides, and white papers.
Powering Solar Racing at Georgia Tech
Georgia Tech Solar Racing leverages the precision and automation of the new SLx Series to optimize their latest solar-powered vehicles for the 2,000-mile American Solar Challenge.
50,000 Variants Later: Recap of Magna-Power's 2025 Innovations
In 2025, Magna-Power’s engineering team delivered 50,000 new product variants, headlined by the launch of the megawatt-class ML Series, high-current TS Series expansions, and significant...
Blocking Diodes vs. Bi-Directional Supplies: Choosing the Right Reverse-Energy Protection
Blocking diodes provide a cost-effective and robust alternative to bi-directional power supplies for protecting programmable DC power systems from damaging reverse current in high-power test...
MagnaDC xGen Migration Guide: SCPI Command Compatibility
Highlights key SCPI command differences between MagnaDC GEN1 and xGen platforms to assist with software migration and compatibility.
High Current Power Supplies for Superconductors
Superconducting applications demand precise high-current, low-voltage power supplies to energize magnets and test advanced HTS cables. Magna-Power’s current-fed programmable DC power supplies meet...
Instrumentation Programming with VB.NET
Demonstrates how to control MagnaDC power supplies using VB.NET over serial, TCP/IP, and GPIB interfaces with SCPI commands.
Instrumentation Programming with MATLAB
Demonstrates how to control MagnaDC power supplies using MATLAB over serial, TCP/IP, and GPIB interfaces with SCPI commands.
The Ice Diver – Exploring Earth's Oldest Ice with Magna-Power
The Ice Diver project, powered by Magna-Power’s high voltage TS Series power supplies, successfully conducted a field experiment at Greenland Glacier, using an innovative probe to explore and study...
Thermal Paste Surface Application in Power Electronics Manufacturing
An overview of different thermal paste surface application methods, specific to power electronics manufacturers, who have extreme power dissipation requirements that demand consistent thermal...
Calculating Power Supply AC Input Current
Provides formulas and key specifications for calculating single-phase and three-phase AC input current for DC power supplies.
Power Supply Ripple and Noise Measurement
Describes proper measurement techniques for switching power supply output ripple and noise, including test fixture design and EMI mitigation.
Power Electronics Hardware Design for Manufacturability
Employing design principles to ensure manufacturability of complex designs at high-voltage and high-current extremes.
Improving Output Performance of Switching Power Supplies Using the New DBx Module
The series-connected DBx Module deploys wrap-around high-resolution digital controls and multi-stage filtering to provide ultra-high performance from conventional switching programmable DC power...
Current-Fed Power Processing—Ride Through Robustness
Magna-Power’s design philosophy focuses on developing power circuits capable of riding through potentially damaging conditions. This article explores this design philosophy in more detail, along...
MagnaLOAD Operating Profiles and Ranges
Explains MagnaLOAD operating profiles for linear and active resistance topologies, including full power range calculations and examples.
Standard MagnaLOAD Control Modes and Introducing Shunt Regulator and Rheostat Modes
Explains MagnaLOAD's six control modes — voltage, current, power, resistance, shunt regulator, and rheostat — with operating diagrams.
Instrumentation Programming with Python
Demonstrates how to control MagnaDC power supplies using Python over serial, TCP/IP, and GPIB interfaces with SCPI commands.
Electronic Loads — A New Generation
A technical paper on the various electronic load technologies and a technical overview of Magna-Power Electronics patented (US Patent 9,429,629) Active Resistance Technology.
DC Power for Electrodionization Water Filtration
Magna-Power Electronics products satisfy power requirements for electrodionization (EDI), other electrode based water treatment methods, and electrolysis. Standard 400 Vdc and 600 Vdc models meet...
Output bleed resistance
Describes the resistive bleeder circuit used to discharge MagnaDC output capacitors and provides bleed resistance values by product series.
Calculating the regulated output impedance
Provides formulas to calculate the regulated output impedance of MagnaDC power supplies in both voltage and current mode control.
Battery Charging for the Rensselaer Formula Hybrid Team
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Formula Hybrid team utilized Magna-Power's SL Series programmable DC power supply for their hybrid vehicle's next-generation lithium-ion battery charger.
Solar Emulation at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL)
A 1.5 MW solar array emulator using the MT Series programmable DC power supplies at The Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) ESIF facility in Golden, Colorado.
Slew rate and the available configurations
Compares standard and High Slew Rate (+HS) output configurations for MagnaDC power supplies, including rise time equations and measurements.
Heat exhaust and the recommended air-flow
Specifies cooling requirements, cabinet airflow recommendations, and heat exhaust ratings for MagnaDC rack-mount and floor-standing products.
MPE IVI driver installation and configuration
Covers prerequisites, installation steps, platform configuration, and common troubleshooting for the Magna-Power Electronics IVI driver.
RS232 interface configuration settings
Specifies the RS232 serial port configuration settings and terminal pin definitions required for MagnaDC power supply communication.
Export classification code and harmonized tariff code
Lists the harmonized tariff codes and export control classification numbers (ECCN EAR99) for MagnaDC and MagnaLOAD products.
Configuring the power supply for computer control
Explains how to configure MagnaDC power supplies for REMOTE mode via front panel, RIS Panel software, and programmatic SCPI commands.
Amount of capacitance on the power supply's output
Details the standard output capacitance values used across MagnaDC power supply series, including High Slew Rate (+HS) option variants.
Product shipping weights and dimensions
Provides shipping dimensions, weights, and freight service requirements for all MagnaDC power supply series and stacking configurations.
Peak-to-Peak Output Voltage Measurements of Switching Power Supplies
The peak-to-peak output voltage measurement requires a setup that is difficult for customers to replicate. This article explores the methods and physical apparatuses used by Magna-Power to measure...
Getting the Best Performance from AC to DC Power Supplies in Abusive Environments
Five frequently seen power supply integration problems that may affect the product's lifespan and measures for correcting them, including: power supply grounding, line voltage, switching remote...
Battery and Capacitor Charging
For battery or capacitor charging, Magna-Power power supplies will operate in constant voltage or constant current operation, with autocrossover when the battery's nominal voltage is reached. In...
Control Loop Modulation Applied to Programmable DC Power Supplies
Modulation allows a set point adjustment of voltage or current by another input. Modulation signals can be derived from an external device, such as a thermistor, or from sampling output current or...
An Overview of Current-Fed Power Processing
A technical paper on Magna-Power Electronics signature current-fed power processing topology with a comparison to alternative approaches to high-power switch-mode power supply design.
Solar Emulation and Inverter Testing
Magna-Power's solutions for solar emulation and inverter testing as exemplified through its solar emulation software package, high slew rate output option for higher bandwidth, high output...