Do you have the ability to RoadTest Power Integrations TinySwitch-5 RDK-1016?

I want to apply for this roadtest. How to apply for it. Please seend the entry form link.

I have roadtested a few PI boards this year but those roadtests are probably not at the level more experienced forum members can provide.

It's an interesting question - I selected that I have everything, but in reality, that very much depends on what is intended to be tested. I did a couple of Power Integrations RoadTests before (RDR-928, RDR-707Q) which should give you an idea of what I can get up to.

But put simply, I do have the means to safely generate a stabilised AC input, to trim that input to a target voltage, to measure the input accurately with a power analyser, to load up the output with an electronic load which also provides the metering, to automate the setup through scripting and analyse the resulting data for efficiency. I can do some thermal imaging and ripple/noise measurements, transient load step response measurements. I do have multiple DC electronic loads which would suit this board as it has two output rails (so we can do a bit of cross-regulation testing too). But I (and I suspect almost nobody except a qualified EMC test lab) don't have the means to test for conducted/radiated emissions as it pertains to EMC compliance, nor do I have the means to safely enforce a test ambient temperature or perform converter feedback-loop stability tests (as I don't have an injection transformer to run a bode plot, and such tests require quite an elaborate set-up to complete).

So far, it would seem PI's own test reports are exceedingly comprehensive, which is commendable. Even I, after marathon efforts, may only be able to cover about half of what they did.

As for what else I would need, sometimes it's hard to really know exactly what would be needed ahead of time and/or whether a given set-up is going to work until it is tried. But let's just say test equipment is not inexpensive, and so I often hesitate to consider asking for it as it sometimes feels like asking for a $2000 hammer to crack a peanut.

- Gough

In order to test this board comprehensively (rather than just use it) you need (rough guess) at least £50k worth of test gear (more if you want to measure radiated EMC).:

AC power source

Transient interference source

Spectrum analyser with suitable software for measuring mains interference

Electronic load

Temperature cycler

To get it tested in a lab you would expect to pay £5k - £10k.

I expect most E14 Road Testers would be happy to plug it in and look for smoke, maybe do some basic DC load measurements, at the extremes try it with mains from a  variac - but there is very little in it for them apart from Kudos.

MK

Where is the EMI filter on the board. Why does the board has inductor on the primary side.

mmmmmmm - I see alot of discussion about lab testing-ish parameters - transients, input corner points, output corner points, power quality in, power quality out.

How about shock-vibration (in transport or operation like in a dishwasher or refrigerator) on a shaker table, or ambient temperature/humidity corner points

or ambient noise measurements in an anechoic chamber for audible noise  :-)     

I'm sure there will be some power supply designer in the community that wants to stimulate their intellectual curiosity.  

Sometimes I think a rudimentary run through of its features and capabilities can be an adequate RoadTest rather than something crazily thorough.

The challenge is gauging and aligning what we're asked to put through its paces versus finding someone that can do (any of) it

so - if the level of testing I am currently capable of would be sufficient I can continue collecting different PI reference designs if needed... I think I have everything needed - upgrading my lab to the level presented below would be too resource-consuming to be considered in any other way than possible future roadtests :)  

I mean I would be game to play with it and put it through its paces.