Mean Well Launches 5 kW Bidirectional AC-DC Power Supply

Mean Well has introduced its BIC-5K series, a 5,000 W AC-DC grid-tied bidirectional power supply designed for energy storage, battery testing, and vehicle-to-grid systems. The unit also supports full-power operation in both AC-to-DC and DC-to-AC modes to meet the growing demand for higher-capacity energy conversion equipment.

The BIC-5K builds on the company’s established BIC-2200 platform, increasing output power to 5 kW per unit while maintaining bidirectional functionality. The system can convert AC input power into DC for battery charging applications and recover DC energy back into the grid. This allows users to reuse stored energy and support grid interaction without requiring separate rectifier and inverter systems.

Mean Well’s BIC-5K series 5 kW bidirectional AC/DC power supply. Adapted from image used courtesy of Mean Well

BIC-5K Series Overview

The BIC-5K operates across an input range of 180 to 305 VAC, with a 277 VAC option available. It uses a full digital design to achieve efficiency up to 93.5%, total harmonic distortion below 3% in both conversion modes, and a power factor of up to 0.99, with bidirectional AC-DC and DC-AC switching specified at less than 1 ms.

The series supports parallel operation in a 5+1 configuration for systems up to 30 kW and can be configured in multi-unit three-phase (3Ø) systems for higher-power industrial deployments.

The BIC-5K operates across a wide temperature range of -30°C to +70°C and incorporates PCB conformal coating for enhanced durability in demanding environments. A low-noise fan rated between 43 and 54 dB handles the cooling.

Learn more about the BIC-5K series. Video used courtesy of Mean Well

Built-in communication interfaces include CANBus and MODBus-RTU (RS-485), supporting system integration and remote monitoring. The unit includes unique protection functions, such as anti-islanding protection, AC abnormality protection, DC overvoltage protection, overload protection, overcurrent protection, short-circuit protection, and overtemperature protection, while also meeting overvoltage category III (OVC III) requirements.

Bidirectional Operation and System Protection

The BIC-5K can move power in either direction, depending on what the system needs at the time. When charging, it will take AC voltage from the grid and then convert it to a controlled DC voltage for batteries or storage modules. To return energy to the grid, it will convert the stored DC voltage back into grid-synchronized AC.

The same unit contains both conversion paths, so adding a separate rectifier and inverter stage is unnecessary in many system designs.

The bidirectional power supply is designed for grid-connected battery charging and energy recovery applications. Image used courtesy of Mean Well

For protection, the unit includes anti-islanding to prevent feeding power back into the grid during an outage, along with AC fault detection, DC overvoltage, overload, short-circuit, and over-temperature protection. These safeguards are built in to maintain stable operation under changing loads and typical industrial conditions.

Certifications, Compliance, and Target Applications

The BIC-5K carries multiple international certifications, including CB, UL, TÜV, RCM, EAC, CE, and UKCA approvals, and also complies with standards such as IEC 62368-1 for ITE equipment, IEC 62477-1 for power conversion systems, and grid-connection standard EN 50549-1.

The series is designed for applications that require controlled bidirectional energy flow, including industries using battery cell formation and grading, battery test systems, power supply burn-in systems, and energy storage systems.

Additionally, it supports vehicle-to-grid (V2G) applications, marine battery charger modules, electric scooter and vehicle charging stations, kinetic energy recovery systems, electrolysis systems, and wastewater treatment systems.

The BIC-5K extends Mean Well’s bidirectional platform into the 5 kW range with full-power AC/DC and DC/AC operation, sub-1 ms switching, and support for parallel expansion up to 30 kW. With integrated protection, grid compliance, and built-in communication interfaces, it is positioned for battery formation, energy storage, V2G, and other grid-connected industrial systems that require controlled, two-way energy flow in a single unit.