The ActionPower ATLAS series' architecture — 2kW per 3U module scaling to 60kW per rack, with parallel expansion to 600kW — reflects a deliberate design choice: build from a common module that can be deployed singly or paralleled at scale.
What a Single Module Gets You
For test programs with a clearly defined, stable power requirement, a single appropriately-sized module is simpler: no synchronisation complexity, simpler physical footprint and cabling, and typically the lower-cost option at a given power point.
What Paralleling Gets You
Incremental scaling as test requirements grow, avoiding over-specifying up front. Redundancy — a paralleled bank can often continue operating at reduced capacity if one module needs servicing. Flexibility for testing multiple DUTs simultaneously, then reconfiguring for a single high-power DUT when needed.
What Paralleling Costs You
- Synchronisation and control complexity across all modules
- Larger physical footprint for a given total power level
- Potential coordination overhead affecting transient response in very large banks
A Practical Decision Framework
| Scenario | Better fit |
|---|---|
| Fixed, well-understood power requirement | Single appropriately-sized module or rack |
| Uncertain future requirements | Start smaller, plan for paralleled expansion |
| Need for redundancy during service | Paralleled bank |
| Testing varied DUTs over time | Paralleled, reconfigurable module pool |
| Maximum transient response critical | Single module (verify vs. paralleled figures) |
Specification Checklist
- Assess whether your power requirement is fixed or likely to grow over the test program's service life
- If considering paralleling, confirm the synchronisation architecture supports your required load mode
- Compare transient response figures for single vs. paralleled configurations at your target power level
- Factor in physical footprint and facility infrastructure for the configuration under consideration
- Consider redundancy requirements for your specific test program
Finch Electronic Solutions — Melbourne, Australia
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