Wiseman XRB140kV/300W Bipolar X-ray Tube High-Voltage Power Supply

Overview

The Wiseman XRB140kV/300W is a compact, modular, bipolar high-voltage power supply engineered specifically for driving grounded-cathode X-ray tubes in analytical and industrial instrumentation. Based on zero-current resonant (ZCR) topology and advanced high-voltage insulation design, it delivers precisely regulated DC outputs up to ±70 kV (140 kV total differential) with continuous 300 W power capability. Its dual-polarity architecture enables stable operation of both positive- and negative-biased X-ray tubes—critical for applications requiring symmetric beam control or dynamic polarity switching, such as dual-energy XRF or pulsed radiography. The unit integrates a fully adjustable filament supply (0–5.5 V / 0–5 A), internal multi-turn potentiometers for local setpoint adjustment, and analog 0–10 V remote control inputs for voltage and emission current—enabling seamless integration into automated X-ray systems governed by PLCs, DAQ modules, or custom software frameworks.

Key Features

• Bipolar output architecture supporting ±70 kV (140 kV total) with selectable intermediate voltages: 20, 30, 40, 50, 65, 80, 90, 100, 120, and 140 kV configurations
• High-stability regulation: < 0.02% output drift over 8-hour period following 30-minute thermal stabilization
• Low-noise performance: ≤ 0.1% peak-to-peak ripple under full-load conditions at rated voltage
• Thermal coefficient of < 25 ppm/°C ensures minimal drift across operational temperature range (0–50 °C)
• Dual analog control interface: independent 0–10 V inputs for precise remote regulation of output voltage and tube emission current
• Integrated filament supply with 5 A current limit and fine-adjustable voltage (0–5.5 V), supporting thermionic cathodes in Kevex, Oxford, RTW, Varian, Trufocus, and domestic X-ray tubes
• Three digital communication options: USB 2.0, RS-232, and RS-485—enabling bidirectional parameter readback, fault logging, and firmware-upgradable control logic
• Compact chassis design optimized for OEM integration: 335 × 210 × 160 mm footprint; 14.2 kg mass; DB9 I/O connector for control, monitoring, and status signals
• Universal input compatibility (AC/DC) with ≤ 3.25 A draw; meets IEC 61010-1 safety standards for laboratory and industrial equipment

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The XRB series is validated for use with grounded-cathode X-ray tubes from major manufacturers including Kevex (now Thermo Fisher), Oxford Instruments, RTW, Varian (now part of Canon), and Trufocus—as well as domestically produced equivalents meeting standard pinout and thermal envelope specifications. It supports a broad spectrum of X-ray generation modes: continuous-wave (CW), gated pulsed, and duty-cycle modulated operation. From a regulatory standpoint, the unit complies with IEC 61010-1 (Safety Requirements for Electrical Equipment for Measurement, Control, and Laboratory Use) and incorporates reinforced insulation barriers, creepage/clearance margins exceeding Class II requirements, and internal arc-detection circuitry. While not certified to FDA 21 CFR Part 11 or ISO 13485 out-of-box, its deterministic analog control architecture, audit-ready voltage/current monitoring outputs (0–10 V calibrated to ±1% FS), and non-volatile fault logging (via digital interfaces) support validation under GLP and GMP environments when embedded in qualified host systems.

Software & Data Management

Wiseman provides a Windows-based configuration utility supporting all three digital interfaces (USB, RS-232, RS-485) for real-time parameter monitoring, setpoint programming, and event-triggered data capture. The utility exports timestamped CSV logs containing output voltage, emission current, filament voltage/current, internal temperature, and fault flags (e.g., overvoltage, overcurrent, overtemperature). For system integrators, Wiseman supplies documented ASCII command protocols and DLL libraries compatible with LabVIEW, Python (pySerial), MATLAB, and C/C++ development environments. All digital interfaces support full readback of operating parameters and support configurable watchdog timeouts—essential for fail-safe shutdown in safety-critical X-ray applications. Remote voltage and current monitoring outputs (JP4 header) provide analog signals compatible with third-party DAQ systems or panel meters without requiring digital handshake overhead.

Applications

• X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectrometers for elemental analysis in mining, metallurgy, and RoHS compliance testing
• Online thickness gauging systems for metal strips (steel, aluminum), polymer films, paper, and foil production lines
• Industrial computed radiography (CR) and real-time radioscopic inspection of welds, castings, and PCB assemblies
• Portable and benchtop X-ray imaging systems for art authentication, archaeology, and cultural heritage analysis
• In-line density measurement in food, pharmaceutical, and chemical processing streams
• Multi-layer PCB alignment and void detection using microfocus X-ray sources
• Particle size distribution analysis via small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) and transmission geometry
• Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) integration with SEM platforms requiring stable tube bias
• Custom X-ray source drivers for nuclear instrumentation, radiation physics research, and accelerator test benches

FAQ

What X-ray tube configurations does the XRB140kV/300W support?
It is designed for grounded-cathode X-ray tubes requiring bipolar excitation, including models from Kevex, Oxford, RTW, Varian, Trufocus, and compatible Chinese manufacturers.
Can the unit operate in pulsed mode?
Yes—the analog 0–10 V emission current input allows external TTL or PWM-synchronized gating for controlled pulse width and repetition rate, provided the average power remains within 300 W limits.
Is the filament supply isolated from the high-voltage output?
Yes—filament output is fully floating and galvanically isolated from both HV terminals and chassis ground, enabling flexible cathode biasing schemes.
Does the power supply include built-in safety interlocks?
It features hardware-level overvoltage, overcurrent, and overtemperature shutdown circuits with latching fault indicators; external interlock loop support is available via DB9 pin assignment.
How is calibration traceability maintained?
Voltage and current monitoring outputs are factory-calibrated to ±1% full scale; users may perform end-to-end system calibration using NIST-traceable HV dividers and current shunts during IQ/OQ validation.