Optronic Laboratories OL 410 Series Precision Current Source for Standard Lamps
| Brand | Optronic Laboratories |
|---|---|
| Origin | USA |
| Manufacturer Type | Authorized Distributor |
| Import Status | Imported |
| Model | OL 410 |
| Power Ratings | 150 W (OL 410-150), 200 W (OL 410-200), 1000 W (OL 410-1000) |
| Current Accuracy | ±0.02% of reading |
| Current Resolution | 0.001 A |
| Short-Term Stability | ≤10 ppm |
| Temperature Coefficient | ≤25 ppm/°C |
| Ramp Control | Programmable current rise/fall profiles |
| Lamp Memory | 10 independent lamp profiles with calibration metadata and elapsed-time tracking |
| Calibration Mode | Three-point low-current correction |
Overview
The Optronic Laboratories OL 410 Series is a laboratory-grade, microprocessor-controlled precision current source engineered exclusively for powering tungsten-halogen standard lamps used in radiometric and photometric calibration workflows. Unlike general-purpose power supplies, the OL 410 implements constant-current regulation with metrological-grade stability and traceable accuracy—critical for maintaining spectral irradiance integrity during NIST-traceable lamp characterization. Its design adheres to the fundamental requirement of radiometric standards: that lamp filament temperature—and therefore spectral output—must be stabilized via highly reproducible current control, not voltage or power mode. The unit operates on the principle of closed-loop current feedback with analog-digital hybrid regulation, minimizing thermal drift and transient overshoot during lamp warm-up and cool-down cycles.
Key Features
- Precision constant-current regulation with ≤10 ppm short-term stability and ≤25 ppm/°C temperature coefficient—enabling repeatable lamp operating points across ambient fluctuations.
- Programmable current ramping (rise and fall) to eliminate thermally induced oscillations and mechanical stress in halogen lamp filaments, preserving calibration longevity and reducing measurement uncertainty.
- Simultaneous real-time readout of output current (A), voltage (V), and calculated power (W) on a high-resolution front-panel display, all synchronized to internal 16-bit ADC sampling.
- Embedded standard lamp management system supporting up to 10 unique lamp profiles; each stores calibration current, nominal voltage, recommended burn-in duration, recalibration interval, and individual operational timer.
- Time-based alerting: automatic visual and audible notification when a lamp exceeds its certified calibration validity period—supporting ISO/IEC 17025-compliant laboratory quality procedures.
- Three-point low-current correction algorithm active below 10% of full-scale output, compensating for nonlinearity inherent in high-precision shunt-based current sensing at sub-ampere levels.
Sample Compatibility & Compliance
The OL 410 Series is compatible with all NIST-traceable tungsten-halogen standard lamps requiring stable DC current excitation—including but not limited to OL 200, OL 300, OL 500, and FEL-type reference lamps. It meets the electrical interface requirements specified in CIE Publication 84, ISO 15389, and ASTM E275 for radiometric source stability. Units are CE-marked and comply with IEC 61010-1 safety standards for laboratory equipment. Firmware supports audit-ready operation under GLP and GMP environments, including timestamped event logging (power-on, setpoint change, lamp profile selection, alarm activation) with optional external USB data export for 21 CFR Part 11–compliant record retention.
Software & Data Management
While fully functional as a stand-alone instrument, the OL 410 integrates via RS-232 or optional USB-to-serial interface with Optronic’s proprietary OL Control Suite (v4.2+). This Windows-based application enables remote configuration of ramp parameters, batch export of lamp history logs, synchronization with spectroradiometer acquisition triggers, and generation of calibration certificates compliant with ISO/IEC 17025 Annex A. All stored lamp profiles are encrypted and version-stamped; firmware updates preserve user-defined configurations and maintain backward compatibility with legacy OL 400-series lamp databases.
Applications
- Radiometric calibration of spectroradiometers, imaging colorimeters, and broadband radiometers against primary or secondary standard lamps.
- Photometric scale dissemination in national metrology institutes (NMIs) and accredited calibration laboratories.
- Stability testing of lamp-based reference sources per CIE S 025/E:2015 protocols.
- Validation of optical attenuation systems where precise, drift-free lamp output is required as a stable reference.
- Research-grade illumination control in hyperspectral imaging setups requiring reproducible blackbody-like spectra.
FAQ
What lamp types are supported by the OL 410 Series?
The OL 410 is designed specifically for tungsten-halogen standard lamps rated between 10 W and 1000 W, including those with nominal currents from 0.5 A to 20 A depending on model variant.
Does the OL 410 support automated recalibration scheduling?
Yes—each lamp profile includes a user-defined recalibration interval (e.g., 200 hours); the unit tracks cumulative operating time and triggers alerts upon expiry.
Can multiple OL 410 units be synchronized for multi-lamp setups?
Synchronization is achieved externally via TTL trigger input/output ports; phase-aligned ramp initiation is supported for coordinated lamp cycling in multi-source calibration benches.
Is firmware upgrade capability included?
Yes—field-upgradable firmware is delivered via signed binary packages through OL Control Suite, with checksum verification and rollback protection.
How does the three-point correction improve low-current accuracy?
It applies piecewise linear compensation to the current-sense amplifier’s transfer function at 10%, 50%, and 100% of range, correcting for gain nonlinearity and offset drift specific to low-current operation.
