B&K Precision 9173B 200W Dual-Output Programmable Dual-Range DC Power Supply

Key Features At A Glance

• Dual-range output with automatic range selection allowing higher voltage or higher current from the same instrument
• Single and dual output models with up to 210 W output power across the family
• Output ratings span 0–10 V/10 A through 0–600 V/0.35 A across nine models in the family
• Programmable voltage and current slew rates with list mode storing up to 10 sequences and 150 total steps
• Standard USB interface with optional GPIB, LAN, RS-232, and RS-485 installed through modular interface card slots
• Command processing time under 10 ms for fast ATE integration
• LED test modes and low-current mode for controlled rise time and inrush current management
• Front and rear panel output terminals plus remote sense (front sense on select single-channel models)

The BK Precision 9170B and 9180B Series are programmable DC power supplies designed for R&D, design verification, and production test applications. The family comprises nine models offering single or dual output configurations with maximum output power up to 210 W. Every model in the series provides dual-range operation with automatic range selection, meaning a single instrument can deliver either higher voltage at reduced current or higher current at reduced voltage from the same output.

According to the datasheet, these supplies are positioned for both bench use and ATE applications. Bench users benefit from a full numerical keypad for direct data entry, a bright display showing both measured and set values, and front panel output terminals with remote sense available on most single-channel models. ATE integration is supported through SCPI compliance, command processing under 10 ms, and a standard USB interface that can be supplemented with optional GPIB, LAN, RS-232, or RS-485 cards installed through modular interface slots without opening the instrument case.

Brand Heritage

BK Precision Corporation is a privately held US-based test and measurement manufacturer with no major corporate name changes; the brand has operated continuously under the BK Precision name for decades and remains independent within the T&M instrument market.

Compare Other Models in This Series

The 9170B and 9180B Series comprises nine models grouped by channel count and voltage range. The 9170B subfamily includes the single-output 9171B and 9172B and the dual-output 9173B and 9174B, with output power ranging from 100 W to 210 W. The 9180B subfamily adds the higher-power and higher-voltage single-output models 9181B, 9182B, 9183B, 9184B, and 9185B, covering applications from 144 W up to the 600 V output range of the 9185B.

All models share the dual-range output architecture, list-mode test sequencing, standard USB interface, modular interface card slots, OVP and OCP protection with key-lock, and LED test mode. The differences between models center on output voltage range, output current range, total output power, channel count, and selected specifications that scale with the output range (ripple, programming resolution, OVP accuracy, and rise/fall times on the high-voltage models).

Each model linked below is its own product page with new-matched pricing and current availability. Specifications, dimensions, and interface card compatibility are common to the whole series; the comparison table that follows highlights where individual model output ratings, channel count, and total power diverge.

The primary axis of differentiation across the family is the output range itself. The 9171B and 9173B target lower-voltage, higher-current bench work (0–20 V high range with 0–5 A high-range current). The 9172B and 9174B shift the same architecture toward higher voltage at lower current (0–70 V high range at 0–1.5 A). The 9181B fits between these as a 144 W single-channel general-purpose supply at 0–36 V/4 A high range.

The 9184B and 9185B occupy the high-voltage end of the family, covering 0–200 V and 0–600 V high-range outputs respectively. These two models carry specifications appropriate to their voltage range — including higher ripple figures, larger programming resolution steps, longer rise and fall times at full load (≤30 ms on the 9184B, ≤40 ms on the 9185B), and the low-current mode unique to these two models for controlled voltage transitions below approximately 1 A. The high-voltage models also use special binding posts engineered for safety at elevated output voltages, as shown in the datasheet.

Model	Output Rating (Low Range)	Output Rating (High Range)	Max Output Power
9173B	0-10 V, 0-10 A	0-20 V, 0-5 A	200 W
9171B	0-10 V, 0-10 A	0-20 V, 0-5 A	100 W
9172B	0-35 V, 0-3 A	0-70 V, 0-1.5 A	105 W
9174B	0-35 V, 0-3 A	0-70 V, 0-1.5 A	210 W

Additional differences in specifications beyond the few shown above are not listed here — see each model's full specifications below.

Accessories Supplied

• AC power cord
• USB cable (type A to type B)
• line fuse
• certificate of calibration and test report

Product Core & Specifications

Specifications	9171B	9172B	9173B	9174B	9181B	9182B	9183B	9184B	9185B
Output Rating
Low Range	0-10 V, 0-10 A	0-35 V, 0-3 A	0-10 V, 0-10 A	0-35 V, 0-3 A	0-18 V, 0-8 A	0-10 V, 0-20 A	0-35 V, 0-6 A	0-100 V, 0-2 A	0-400 V, 0-0.5 A
High Range	0-20 V, 0-5 A	0-70 V, 0-1.5 A	0-20 V, 0-5 A	0-70 V, 0-1.5 A	0-36 V, 0-4 A	0-20 V, 0-10 A	0-70 V, 0-3 A	0-200 V, 0-1 A	0-600 V, 0-0.35 A
Number of Channels	1	1	2	2	1	1	1	1	1
Max Output Power	100 W	105 W	200 W	210 W	144 W	200 W	210 W	200 W	210 W
Line Regulation
Voltage	≤ 0.01 % + 1 mV
Current	≤ 0.01 % + 250 uA
Load Regulation (with sense terminal connected)
Voltage	≤ 0.01 % + 1 mV
Current	≤ 0.01 % + 250 uA
Ripple and Noise (20 Hz – 20 MHz)
Normal Mode Voltage	≤ 0.35 mVrms / ≤ 3 mVpp	≤ 0.5 mVrms / ≤ 5 mVpp	≤ 0.35 mVrms / ≤ 3 mVpp	≤ 0.5 mVrms / ≤ 5 mVpp	≤ 0.35 mVrms / ≤ 3 mVpp	≤ 0.35 mVrms / ≤ 3 mVpp	≤ 0.5 mVrms / ≤ 5 mVpp	≤ 1.5 mVrms / ≤ 15 mVpp	≤ 4.5 mVrms / ≤ 45 mVpp
Normal Mode Current	≤ 2 mA rms
Common Mode Current	≤ 1.5 uA rms
Programming / Readback Resolution
Voltage	1 mV	2 mV	1 mV	2 mV	1 mV	1 mV	2 mV	10 mV	20 mV
Current	1 mA	0.1 mA	1 mA	0.1 mA	1 mA	1 mA	0.2 mA	0.1 mA	0.01 mA
Programming / Readback Accuracy ±(% output + offset)
Voltage	≤ 0.05 % + 5 mV	≤ 0.05 % + 10 mV	≤ 0.05 % + 5 mV	≤ 0.05 % + 10 mV	≤ 0.05 % + 5 mV	≤ 0.05 % + 5 mV	≤ 0.05 % + 10 mV	≤ 0.05 % + 50 mV	≤ 0.05 % + 100 mV
Current	≤ 0.1 % + 2 mA	≤ 0.1 % + 1 mA	≤ 0.1 % + 2 mA	≤ 0.1 % + 1 mA	≤ 0.1 % + 2 mA	≤ 0.1 % + 5 mA	≤ 0.1 % + 2 mA	≤ 0.1 % + 1 mA	≤ 0.1 % + 0.1 mA
Temperature Coefficient per °C ±(% output + offset)
Voltage	≤ 0.005 % + 1 mV	≤ 0.005 % + 10 mV	≤ 0.005 % + 20 mV
Current	≤ 0.01 % + 3 mA
Transient Response Time	≤ 50 µs for output to recover to within 15 mV	≤ 100 µs for output to recover to within 50 mV	≤ 100 µs for output to recover to within 120 mV
Settling Time	≤ 30 ms
Measurement Time	≤ 5 ms
OVP Accuracy	≤ 0.5 % + 0.1 V	≤ 0.5 % + 1 V
OCP Accuracy	≤ 0.5 % + 0.1 A
OVP/OCP Response Time	≤ 1 ms
Rising Time at Full Load / No Load	≤ 8 ms	≤ 10 ms	≤ 8 ms	≤ 10 ms	≤ 8 ms	≤ 8 ms	≤ 10 ms	≤ 30 ms	≤ 40 ms
Falling Time at Full Load	≤ 8 ms	≤ 10 ms	≤ 8 ms	≤ 10 ms	≤ 8 ms	≤ 8 ms	≤ 10 ms	≤ 30 ms	≤ 40 ms
Falling Time at No Load	≤ 250 ms
Stability (8 hrs) ±(% output + offset)

Important: OVP and OCP response time is ≤1 ms, with OVP accuracy of ≤0.5% + 0.1 V on standard-range models and ≤0.5% + 1 V on the high-voltage 9184B and 9185B. Verify OVP and OCP setpoints against the DUT's tolerance before applying output.Important: All specifications apply to the unit after a temperature stabilization time of 15 minutes over an ambient temperature range of 23 °C ± 5 °C.Important: Load regulation specifications apply with sense terminal connected.Important: Low current mode is available only on high voltage models 9184B and 9185B.Important: Automatic range selection and front panel remote sense terminal are available on all single channel models EXCEPT the high voltage models 9184B and 9185B.Important: Interface cards (GPIB/LAN, Digital I/O, Analog Control, RS485, RS232) are optional and sold separately. All options can be installed by the user and purchased at any time, either together with the instrument or after.Important: Multi-unit control (daisy-chaining up to 31 units) requires the optional DRRS485 card. Web server and Telnet interfaces require the optional DRGL (GPIB/LAN) card. External analog programming requires the DR1DIO or DR2DIO card.

Please review the Manufacturer's Data Sheet to verify published specifications. Feedback on this webpage is always welcome — please reach out to your Test Architect at any time for questions or concerns. Thank you, we truly appreciate you being our customer.