5/80-HS-H-CE High Voltage Amplifier 5 kV, 240 mA

Yes. The amplifier is DC-stable, meaning it can provide a constant high-voltage DC output, but it can also reproduce AC waveforms (up to its bandwidth limits) at amplitudes up to ±5 kV. You can drive it with an AC input (e.g. from a function generator) and it will output a scaled high-voltage AC signal, or you can apply a DC level for a steady high voltage. This makes it suitable for experiments requiring either static bias voltages or dynamic high-voltage waveforms.

The small-signal bandwidth (up to ~75 kHz) refers to the frequency range over which the amplifier can faithfully reproduce small amplitude sinusoidal signals (typically when the output is not at its full voltage swing, so only a fraction of the ±5 kV). The large-signal bandwidth (up to ~60 kHz) is the range it can achieve for near full-scale output swings – at those high amplitudes the frequency response is a bit lower. In practice, this means that for very large output voltages you might be limited to tens of kilohertz, while for smaller voltage perturbations the amplifier can reach slightly higher frequencies before the output amplitude starts to drop off (–3 dB point) or distortion increases.

A four-quadrant output stage means the amplifier can both source current (drive positive voltage into a load) and sink current (pull the voltage down or absorb current from the load) across both polarities of output. This capability is crucial when driving capacitive or reactive loads such as piezoelectric devices, electrostatic actuators, or other high-voltage components that can return energy to the amplifier. The 5/80-HS can actively control the voltage in both directions, ensuring the output stays accurate and stable even if the load tries to drive the voltage in the opposite direction. It prevents overshoot and allows for fast, controlled transitions, which wouldn’t be possible with a simpler one- or two-quadrant (source-only) amplifier.

This amplifier has a fixed gain of 1000 V/V. To reach the maximum ±5000 V output, you need to provide an input of ±5 V. In practice, a standard laboratory function generator or DAC with a ±5 V output range can be used to drive the 5/80-HS-H-CE directly. For example, if you input a sine wave of ±1 V amplitude, the amplifier will output a ±1000 V sine wave; inputting ±5 V will yield the full ±5000 V swing. The high input impedance (around 10 kΩ) ensures that the driving source does not need to supply significant current.

The 5/80-HS-H-CE is equipped with internal protection features. Notably, it has short-circuit and overload protection: if the output is directly shorted or if the load tries to draw more current than the specified limit (~80 mA DC or a higher peak momentarily), the amplifier will limit the output and can shut down to prevent damage. There are status indicators (and corresponding BNC outputs for remote monitoring) that alert you if the amplifier goes into a fault or out-of-regulation condition. This means the amplifier will gracefully handle fault conditions by protecting itself and the load – an essential safety feature when working with high voltages.

It is very accurate and stable for a high-voltage source. The DC gain accuracy is specified better than 0.1% of full scale, which at 5 kV means at most around ±5 V of gain error in the absolute worst case. In practice the output tracks the input very linearly. The amplifier also has a low output noise (on the order of 1 V RMS or less on a 5000 V signal), which is a tiny fraction (0.02%) of the full scale. This low noise floor and high stability make it suitable for precision tasks like calibrations, material characterisation, or sensitive beam steering, where you need a reliable high-voltage output without drift or significant ripple. Additionally, each unit is delivered with a NIST-traceable calibration certificate, so you know the output has been verified against national standards.

Yes. The amplifier provides a remote high-voltage on/off control via a BNC connector on the rear panel. By using this remote interlock capability, you can integrate the 5/80-HS-H-CE into a larger system or safety setup. For instance, you might wire that input to a safety interlock switch or a lab PLC: when the control signal is set to disable, the amplifier’s high-voltage output is turned off (or kept off) irrespective of the front-panel setting. This is valuable for ensuring the high voltage can be quickly shut down from an emergency stop or computer control, adding an extra layer of safety. In addition, the front panel has an HV on/off key switch or button (depending on model) so that an operator can manually control high voltage output enabling.

The 5/80-HS-H-CE is designed to drive a wide variety of loads, both resistive and reactive. It can drive purely resistive loads (like high-value resistors or bias networks) up to 5 kV, as well as highly capacitive or dynamic loads (like large piezoelectric actuators, electrostatic chucks, or dielectric barrier discharges). Thanks to its four-quadrant design and fast slew capability, it handles capacitive loads exceptionally well, meaning even if the load has significant capacitance (which would usually cause a phase lag or the load to pump current back), the amplifier remains stable and responsive. Inductive loads are less common at high voltage, but small inductances (like long cable leads or coils) are also manageable. In summary, as long as the load requirements are within ±5 kV and the current stays within ±80 mA DC / ±240 mA peak, the amplifier will drive it effectively while maintaining the programmed waveform.

The 5/80-HS-H-CE amplifier uses an all solid-state design, so it doesn’t have consumable parts like vacuum tubes or oil-filled components that would need regular replacement – it is essentially maintenance-free under normal operation. The cooling is typically via internal fans and heat sinks, so ensuring the ventilation slots remain unobstructed and occasionally cleaning any dust from filters (if present) is recommended for longevity. Regarding calibration: the unit comes calibrated, and for the highest precision it’s wise to recalibrate it on a recommended interval (for example, annually or biennially) to maintain traceability and accuracy. Calibration would typically be done by the manufacturer or an authorised lab with high-voltage measurement standards. Other than that, day-to-day use doesn’t require special maintenance, and the amplifier should provide consistent performance over many years of operation.