HVX-Series High-Voltage DC Power Supply

A fully digitally regulated high-voltage DC source for laboratory and production use, reaching up to 30 kV DC across 500 W, 2 kW, and 3 kW power classes. Reversible or floating polarity, a 0.01% accuracy class, a color TFT display, and Ethernet, RS232, and SCPI control come standard. Microcontroller and FPGA control hold the output fast and precise.

HVX-Series · Digitally regulated HV power supply
HVX-Series high-voltage power supply, 2U rack unit

1Overview

The Berkeley Nucleonics HVX-Series delivers fully digitally regulated DC high voltage for demanding test, calibration, and production work. A microcontroller paired with an FPGA, a Field Programmable Gate Array, holds voltage and current to tight tolerances in the digital domain. FPGAs are used in high-voltage supplies because they permit quick signal processing and flexible adaptation to varied load requirements. The result settles fast, drifts little, and repeats reliably from one run to the next.

The compact build needs only 2U, which is unusual for power densities of 2 kW and 3 kW. High performance comes without losing speed or control precision. The polarity of the high-voltage output can be electrically reversed, depending on whether a positive or a negative high voltage is needed.

HVX-Series supplies suit many applications. Customers use them for various kinds of HV testing, in semiconductor production and verification, in the manufacture of photovoltaic cells and components, for end-of-line calibration, and in basic research and development. Simple handling is combined with speed and high precision.

HVX-Series front panel: perforated grille and color TFT display with soft keys
HVX-Series front panel. The color TFT display shows live actual and set values for voltage and current, with soft keys for local control.

2Highlights

  • Voltage classes. 0 to 1.5 kV DC, 0 to 5 kV DC, and 0 to 10 kV DC (higher-voltage 20 kV and 30 kV models are listed in the model table).
  • Power. 500 W, 2 kW, or 3 kW.
  • Currents. From 0.017 to 2 A.
  • Fully digital regulation. Microcontroller plus FPGA control of both loops.
  • Usable as 19-inch or desktop chassis, with integrated adapter.
  • Compact. 2U chassis; approx. 13 kg (1.5-10 kV units) to 17.5 kg (30 kV units).
  • Wide-range AC input, single phase.
  • Ethernet and RS232 on board.
  • SCPI command set.
  • Predictive fan control.
  • Output polarity reversible, electrically.
  • Ramp control (option).
  • Arc detection (option).

3Function & Protection

Function. Digitally regulated DC high-voltage power supply.

Security. In addition to an external interlock and analogue control signals, the supply provides over-voltage and over-current protection. These features protect the user, the device, and the load.

  • External interlock input.
  • Analogue control signals.
  • Over-voltage protection.
  • Over-current protection.

4AC Input

ParameterSpecification
Input voltage (3 kW version)230 V ±10%
Input voltage (2 kW version)187 V to 253 V
Input frequency47 Hz to 63 Hz
Power factor correctionActive
Mains socketRear side, IEC 60320 Type C20
PhaseSingle phase, wide range

5Human Machine Interface

  • Display. Colored 3.5-inch TFT screen with LED backlight.
  • Input. Two soft keys and one turn/press button.
  • Navigation. Clear menu structure with sub-menus.
  • Access protection. Configurable code protection for sub-menus.
  • Monitoring. Error and event monitoring including time tags (actual and shadow).

6DC Output & Polarity

The output supports positive, negative, or reversible polarity. The high-voltage connection is a female HV connector on the rear side.

ParameterSpecification
Output voltage (Unom)1.5 kV to 30 kV
Output current (Inom)Up to 2 A
PolarityPositive, negative, or pole-reversible, referenced to earth potential; floating variants available
Discharge time (no load)Typical 60 s, maximum 120 s (type-dependent)
HV connectorFemale HV connector, rear side
HVX-Series rear panel: HV connector, RS232, Ethernet, USB, I/O terminal block, AC inlet, power switch
HVX-Series rear panel. From left: HV output connector, ventilation, RS232 (DB9), Ethernet, USB service port, configurable I/O terminal block, IEC C20 mains inlet, and power switch.

7Precision & Typical Values

The values below are typical. Specifications for customized or modified devices, and devices with integrated options, may deviate from these values.

Voltage Stabilization

ParameterTypical value
Setting range0.01% to 100% Unom
Setting accuracy (manual operation)16 bit
Reproducibility≤0.1% Unom
Line regulation (±10% mains voltage change)<±0.01% Unom
Load regulation (10% to 90% load step)≤0.05% Unom
Response time (0 to 100% load current change)<1 ms to 0.1% Unom
Stability over 8 hours (constant conditions)≤0.01% Unom
Temperature coefficient≤0.01% Unom/K
Ripple (peak to peak)≤0.01% Unom ±100 mV

Current Stabilization

ParameterTypical value
Setting range0.01% to 100% Inom
Setting accuracy (manual operation)16 bit
Reproducibility≤0.1% Inom
Line regulation (±10% mains voltage change)<±0.01% Inom
Load regulation (0 to 100% load step)≤0.05% Inom
Response time (0 to 100% load current change)<1 ms to 0.1% Inom
Stability over 8 hours (constant conditions)≤0.01% Inom
Temperature coefficient≤0.01% Inom/K
Ripple, output <20 kV (peak to peak)≤0.01% Inom ±100 mA
Ripple, output ≥20 kV (peak to peak)≤0.02% Inom ±0.5 mA

8Interfaces & I/O

Remote control is built in. Ethernet and RS232 are provided on board, the supply accepts a full SCPI command set, and a configurable I/O terminal carries the interlock and additional signals.

InterfaceSpecification
EthernetOn board, standard
RS232On board, standard
USBService port
Command setSCPI
I/O terminalInterlocking through external wiring; control/monitor signal for HV on/off; monitor signal for ARC detection (option)

9Enclosure

ParameterSpecification
Mounting19-inch and/or desktop, with integrated adapter
Height2U (89 mm)
Width, front (including rack ears)483 mm
Rear panel width443 mm
Depth, chassis (from rear panel)500 mm
Depth, overall (side view)534 mm
ChassisSteel, RAL 9005
Weight, 1.5 kV to 10 kV unitsApprox. 13 kg
Weight, 20 kV and 30 kV unitsApprox. 16.5 kg to 17.5 kg

10Options

OptionDescription
Ramp ControlFacilitates controlled upward and downward regulation with an adjustable gradient, from 1 V/s to 10×Unom V/s. Field-retrofittable.
ARC DetectionDetects flashovers in the output voltage, reports them, and can switch off the output voltage if desired. Field-retrofittable.
Note. The source datasheet does not print order codes for these options. Contact Berkeley Nucleonics for current part numbers and ordering information.

11Scope of Delivery

  • HVX-Series HV power supply.
  • Male HV plug with 3 m HV cable.
  • Rubber feet for desktop application.
  • Mains cord, 1.5 m, with Schuko connector (CEE7) on the grid side and a terminal block for the I/O plug.

12Model Selection

The table below lists the HVX-Series family by power class. Each row gives the model, power, maximum voltage, and maximum current. The model identifier serves as the order reference.

HVX-Series 2U high-voltage power supply
HVX-Series, 2U high-voltage power supply.
ModelPower (W)Max. voltage (V)Max. current (A)Weight (kg, approx.)Polarity options
2000 W class2000
HVX 1500 - 1400200015001.413Positive, negative, or reversible
HVX 1500 - 1400 FLO200015001.413Floating (fixed)
HVX 5000 - 400200050000.413Positive, negative, or reversible
HVX 10000 - 2002000100000.213Positive, negative, or reversible
3000 W class3000
HVX 1500 - 200030001500213Positive, negative, or reversible
HVX 1500 - 2000 FLO30001500213Floating (fixed)
HVX 5000 - 600300050000.613Positive, negative, or reversible
HVX 10000 - 3003000100000.313Positive, negative, or reversible
500 W class500
HVX 20000 - 2550020,000.02516.5Positive or negative
HVX 30000 - 1750030,0000.01717.5Positive or negative
Note. Model naming follows "HVX<nominal voltage in V>-<nominal current in mA>" per the HVX Series type-plate convention. BNC SKUs and part numbers are pending assignment and are not carried over from the product's design team's catalog.

13Safety & Compliance

The HVX-Series carries the CE mark and the MET safety certification (cMETus). Confirm the current marks and directives for a given configuration against the published datasheet.

CE mark MET safety certification mark, cMETus
Caution. High voltage is present at the HV connector during operation. Follow all safety procedures, observe the interlock, and confirm the output is off and discharged before handling the load or connector.

14Contact

For a quote, configuration help, or application support, reach the Berkeley Nucleonics team.

Email: info@berkeleynucleonics.com
Phone: 800-234-7858
Address: 2955 Kerner Boulevard, San Rafael, CA 94901, USA

For a quick question, chat with an engineer at berkeleynucleonics.com.

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