Using dual output power supply in parallel

You may have to do some experimenting !

The manual (which I found on the CPC website) makes no reference to it but there is an indication on the front panel that series or parallel operation is possible.

Assuming the second function of the SER/IDEP and PARA/INDEP buttons is like the BEEP button:

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Press SER/INDEP untill the SER led ligts - I guess it will now be in series mode but I don't know if you need to make the serial connection yourself.

Connect  a meter across the right hand set of terminals and adjust the voltage and see how it changes, do the same for the other set of terminals. Now you know if it does the connection internally and what the meters read.

On some instruments the two supplies will track and one meter will read the full voltage, on others you need to do your own addition.

You could also ask Farnell/Element 14 why they can't make the effort to supply decent operating instructions with their own brand stuff !!

Good luck.

MK

Thanks for your reply Michael!

Perhaps I will have to do some experimenting. For parallel operation, would you say I would have to connect +ve to +ve and -ve to -ve across the two outputs?

xueyin.agerris  wrote:

For parallel operation, would you say I would have to connect +ve to +ve and -ve to -ve across the two outputs?

Well, this question is usually answered by the manual. In other supplies that have a serial/parallel button, you typically use the positive from CH1 and the negative from CH2.

A clue would be if you hear relays clicking when you enable/disable those modes. Another way to tell would be to measure the voltage at the terminals to see what pairs are active.

If rscasny  is watching perhaps he could consider offering one of these PSU s for Road test and we might get some definitive answers.

Or, perhaps, he could have  a word with the appropriate colleague about getting  a more comprehensive manual put together.

MK

I'll agree that the Tenma product manuals aren't as descriptive perhaps they could be. Roadtesting them is a good possibility. I will talk to the product manager to try to get some help.

Randall

If I recall my basic electronics correctly here is a physical hookup for a parallel or serial configuration for dual power supplies. The supplies my provide this capability using a programmable configuration and not require physical jumpers.

Another consideration is to ensure none of the power supplies have limiting that will result in one supply trying to carry the load. I recall working on a unit that had three supplies feeding a combiner. When one supply got weak the others would still try and carry the load. At some point the other supplies limits would trip because the two were trying to do the work of three.

I did a search on the power supply reference you provided. This is what was returned for a link.

I'm very concerned that this wiring advice is not correct for this power supply !

It is how you would connect two isolated supplies but if this model was intended to work like that it might not need the external connections.

It has two buttons and indicator lights for // or serial operation - on some supplies the metering is correctly connected for these modes, on others you have to do your own addition of current or voltages.

On some supplies the special modes cause the supplies to track voltages, on other not.

The manual does not mention these modes.

Can you post the actual link so we can see where the information came from.

MK

Your concern has some merit.  The physical configuration wouldn't be my first choice. That being said, it is not a fry the circuit configuration for a dual power supply.

As I indicated in my post the configurations may be supported programmatic through the powers supply menu.  The description by xueyin.agerris "I would have to connect +ve to +ve and -ve to -ve across the two outputs?" caused me concern. I felt a visual of what would be a correct configuration was better than a verbal.

To be honest I'm not even sure if the pictorial is the correct model. The link provided in postings didn't source for me. So I used a Google search that returned a picture.

Thank you for all responses so far! To Michael/Sean: yes I was hesitant to hook up my load because the provided documentation doesn't indicate how this particular model is meant to be used in series/parallel operation.

I got in contact with technical support at Element 14 and they sent me these photos in an email:

It's a shame this documentation is so difficult to find. I tried searching the heading in the top right corner, but unfortunately, I still don't know where these pages came from.

Regardless, it is here if others so seek out this information!

Thanks for the share. It closes the loop for me.

The manual picture provided doesn't look like the unit I used in my parallel & serial pictorial. It was in your best interest to find the documentation. Sounds like you got everything you need to continue. If your plan is to draw some amperage don't skimp on cable gauge. Good luck.