Power Supply for Home lab?

There is no best - it depends what you are doing - I have loads of different power supplies (it's my work not just a hobby so they can be paid for if needed.)

My favorite general purpose supply is a rather old Thurlby Thandar (now Aim-TTi) 30V 2 A unit with LCD digital displays of current and knobs to adjust voltage and current limit. It's reliable, easy to set the current limit of load, low noise and simple. I have several programmable supplies which are very useful for automated tests, high power (Xantrex 100V 28A - for high power things ) and so on.

For  a home build I suggest you go for something simple, 0-30V, 0-2A with analogue controls. Peter Oakes has posted  a design in some detail on E14 but he doesn't go as far as offer pcb designs or detailed construction information.

If you don't have some power analogue experience and  a scope I think you would do better with a proven kit rather than do your own boards or design from scratch.

MK

Thanks michaelkellett

The thing is I am in a habit of developing my own electronics things.. It helps me a lot in learning(most importantly EXPERIENCE) and building my confidence.. You know I was made to do build something great someday (haha).. So I cannot miss any single detail If I'm going to do that in future.

I've already looked over Peter Oakes & many other blog's, so I was kind of confused what to choose, what should I prefer a programmable logic or an specific task IC.. I believe many out there, in past, were in my position and now they might have improved their designs many times, so they must knew what helps the most..
I was myself considering a 0-30v and 0-5A supply (also -15v to 15v). with few more functions.. So indeed I'm going to need a micro controller.. but any specific IC/Microcontroller?

mudz

I know this is self promoting but I am in the middle of a set of tutorials on building a LAB / Bench power supply and accessories

I start with the basic building blocks, explaining in practical terms what they are for and go on to real examples on bread boards etc

there are perhaps 15 posts already, everyone with a detailed video

http://www.element14.com/community/groups/test-and-measurement/blog/2014/09/15/the-modular-bench-power-system-the-essential-diy-build-for-every-ee-student-and-old-timer-alike

I am about to continue the seriase adding utomation to it to allow control from PC / Arduino / Raspberry PI etc

This may help you decide what direction to take with yours, at a minimum, it will help you understand what you are going to build and what is needed for it

I would suggest starting with a basic naalog design (As I have shown in my series), understand its operation, then it should be a simple extension to add DAC and ADC monitoring

this way it seperates the Power Supply core from the control core and if you wanted you could include a switch to select either a POT for control, or a DAC

This is what I will be showing soon as I continue my series

Robert Peter Oakes Thank you a lot..
I will definitely read every blog of yours you have mentioned in that link. This is really going to be helpful.
Thanks again

I've designed and built many power supplies in my lifetime and if you want something simple that's premade then e14 has reasonably priced adjustable and programmable power supplies.

The Tenma  72-253572-2535 is a good start with both Constant Voltage and Constant Current modes

With both modes available it is very easy to use it to test LEDs.

Another handy tool to have is an accompanying DC load unit as this will enable you to properly test power supplies and batteries)

Naa

Naa

Naa

This is a Naalog.

analyser

analytics

analogy

This is an analog.

LOOkatu .. I'm going to build it myself.. MAKE IT MYSELF..
Thanks COMPACT

mudz

Banana!

If you live in a cold area you could use linear regulators with bypass transistors to provide you with both regulated power and heat.

It has the bonus of less of a chance of blowing up the attached load.

If you're more adventurous you could build your own power supply with some 741 opamps.

King Bob!