Teststrom

Teststrom is a term used in electronics to refer to a portable current source designed for testing and characterization of electrical components and circuits. The concept emphasizes delivering a controlled current to devices under test, enabling measurements of parameters such as load response and voltage drop.

A typical Teststrom comprises a regulated current source with adjustable setpoint, output terminals, and protective circuitry. Many models offer constant-current and constant-voltage modes, overcurrent protection, thermal monitoring, and short-circuit protection. Modern units often provide digital interfaces for programming, data logging, and remote control via USB or Ethernet.

Applications include research and development laboratories, electronics manufacturing, educational settings, and field testing. Teststrom devices support pulsed and continuous operation, transient current analysis, and impedance-related measurements when paired with appropriate instruments.

Origin and development: The term emerged in European engineering circles in the late 1990s and early 2000s to describe a practical tool for controlled current delivery. Over time, manufacturers have produced a range of products based on the concept, with varying levels of precision, safety features, and control options.

See also: current source, impedance spectroscopy, pulsed power supply.