In this episode of Workbench Wednesdays, James reviews the Multicomp Pro MP7110001, a four-channel linear bench power supply delivering over 340W of output. He walks through its key features, including a 4.3" display, digital I/O control, built-in serial and parallel channel switching, and user-defined presets. The video includes practical performance tests such as ripple voltage, turn-on skew, and maximum power output. James also notes the absence of remote sensing and shares insights into real-world usage. Watch the full review to see how this supply performs on the bench.
Watch the Review
James delves into a comprehensive review of the Multicomp Pro MP711001 Linear Bench Power Supply, uncovering its versatile features, user-friendly interface, and robust performance. The Multicomp Pro MP711001 proves to be a versatile unit that seamlessly integrates into both professional labs and hobbyist setups. Plus, it is very powerful.
MP711001 Overview
This linear supply boasts an impressive power output of 348 watts across all its channels. Channels 1 and 2 can deliver up to 172 watts each, while channel 3 can output a maximum of 19 watts. The fourth channel, an always-on USB port, adds flexibility.
The MP711001 measures 355 by 240 by 168 millimeters and weighs just under 11 kilograms. Its front panel features a bright, easy-to-read 4.3-inch display with several readouts. The keypad makes it quick and easy to enter voltage and current values. Each of the variable channels has its own select button and power enable. There is a main switch that controls all three variable supplies simultaneously.
On the back are ports for remote interfacing through RS-232, LAN, and a USB device. A digital I/O port lets you enable channels with external signals or provides output signals based on conditions you set through the user interface. The USB host port accepts drives to save data from the recorder or data logging features.
The MP711001 linear bench power supply supports constant voltage (CV) and constant current (CC) modes. In CV mode, the power supply maintains a constant voltage output regardless of the load, while in CC mode, it maintains a constant current output. Each variable channel also has overcurrent protection (OCP) and overvoltage protection (OVP), which are safety features that prevent the power supply from delivering too much current or voltage, respectively.
In the main part of the review, James conducts several tests to showcase the power supply's capabilities. He tests the ripple voltage performance and the turn-on skew between channels and verifies the maximum output power capability.
The ripple voltage measurement used a 10 ohm (25-watt) power resistor and oscilloscope. A resistor provides more stability than an electronic load since the load will adjust its reactance based on the output voltage. Sometimes, an electronic load can cause more ripple than the supply actually has. The MP711001's ripple, or regulation, is specified up to 1 MHz with less than 2 millivolt peak-to-peak (mVpp). Using a 1 MHz (digital) filter on the oscilloscope, James demonstrated that the supply ripple was only about 1 mVpp when outputting 25 watts. Even though he did not use a power rail probe, he felt the measurement agreed with the datasheet.
FPGA development boards often have several voltage rails and a specific order in which they need to turn on. So, for the next test, James checked to see how much skew each channel had when activated simultaneously. It turns out Channel 3 activates first, followed by 1 and then 2. The channels exhibit some jitter with each turn-on. However, the order always seems to be the same. The skew between channels 3 and 1 is about 10 milliseconds, while the skew between 1 and 2 is less than 2 milliseconds. These values are consistent enough that they should be suitable for sequenced turn-on requirements.
The last test is what James called his "most ridiculous test ever." Using three electronic loads, including the AIM TTi SMU4002, he loaded the MP711001 bench supply with 340 watts. The result was impressive. The peak-to-peak voltage on one of the channels was similar to the 25-watt loading. James has no reason to suspect that the supply couldn't make it all the way to 348 watts. As a side note, a Kill-A-Watt meter measuring the 120 Vac mains side of the supply showed the bench supply drew about 5.3 amps during this test!
James summarizes his thoughts as the video wraps up, recommending the Multicomp Pro MP711001. He highlights its user-friendly interface, robust protection features such as overcurrent protection (OCP) and overvoltage protection (OVP), and solid performance as reasons why it stands out in a crowded space.
The Multicomp Pro MP711001 Bench Power Supply is a well-rounded tool that delivers on its promises. Whether you're working on intricate electronics projects or simply need a reliable power supply for general use, this device is a worthy addition to your workbench.
Bill of Materials
| Product Name | Manufacturer | Quantity | |
|---|---|---|---|
| MP711001 - Bench Power Supply, Programmable, 4 Output, 0 V, 32 V, 0 A, 5 A | Multicomp Pro | 1 |
