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  • Author Author: mcollinge
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Instrument Basics: Bench Power Supplies -- Workbench Wednesdays 13

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Instrument Basics:  Bench Power Supplies

element14 Presents  |  Bald Engineer: James Lewis' VCP Profile |  Workbench Wednesdays

 

 

 

A bench power supply makes powering circuits easy and safe. Learn how to adjust basic controls like voltage. Finally, see how "current limiting" works (and why you should use it.) See how you can use built-in series or parallel tracking to increase a bench power supply's voltage or current output. Last, if you are in the market for a power supply, do not forget to add some leads like mini-grabbers, alligator clips, and banana plugs.

 

 

 

Bill of Material:

 

Product Name Manufacturer Quantity Buy Kit
Bench Power Supply, Adjustable, Fixed, 3 Output, 32 V TENMA 1 Buy Now
Test Lead Set, 4mm Banana Plug to Alligator Clip, 0.91 m, 2 Leads (21-1190) TENMA 1 Buy Now
Test Lead Set, Banana Plug Stackable, Banana Plug Stackable, Black, Red, 914 mm TENMA 2 Buy Now
Test Lead Set, Banana Plug, Test Clip, Black, Red, 914 mm TENMA 2 Buy Now
Handheld DMM (72-7780) TENMA 1 Buy Now
DC Electronic Load, 150 W, Adjustable (8540) B&K Precision 1 Buy Now
Bench Power Supply Single Output (72-2705) TENMA 1 Buy Now
Bench Portable Power Supply, Adjustable, 1 Output, 300 mV, 30 V, 0 A, 4 A (72-2660) Tenma 1 Buy Now
 
  • in reply to trader

    I "prefer" to blow up the power supply than the scope

     

    There's a video dedicated to that subject:

  • Thank you!  I saw several bench power supplies with a "bridge" connecting the GND and V-

     

    I thought that could be a good idea because when I connect my oscilloscope to my circuit, the GND probe is already connected to the earth GND, so I think the oscilloscope will bring the Circuit Negative to the earth GND (so, it would be not floating anymore).

     

    And, in a hypothesis that my "float" circuit, by accident (or not) has the Negative connected to the Mains Phase/Hot wire, then I "prefer" to blow up the power supply than the scope  (Sorry about my newbie question.)

  • in reply to trader

    Generally, no. It depends on what you're doing. For example, if your circuit is connected to something else that has a Mains earth connection, you probably want to leave your circuit floating. A common example would be a computer, laptop, or other equipment like an oscilloscope.

     

    It should be used when you need a safety ground.

  • In the bench power supply, can I do a jump connection between GND and Negative outputs? It's a good idea?

  • in reply to clem57

    Yes ! That's what I wanted to know, I was worried and dropped few messages too. I am sorry if anything offended you but I am glad to see you back here. image
    I myself stuck with few issues but after what life has thrown at me, core me have decided to come strong and now I think I can commit my time for this community again much better version of me before. image  I'm reopening all of my old pending projects again.

    I'm glad I got chance to talk with you again here.

    &

    I wish every electronic happiness to you !

  • in reply to mudz

    It has been a while. I kind of hit a few personal issues and dropped out for a long time. But things have turned around and I am feeling 100% again. How about you? I did miss your banter and view points here. Hope you stay around ...

  • in reply to clem57

    Hello my old friend+mentor+Guider+my ray of hope in electronics ! image How are you !! image
    What's new you are working on?

  • Good video to explain usage of a power bench. could you do an episode on digital analysis of interfaces such as SPI and/or I2C  Thanks