Key Questions to Ask When Ordering dc power supply system

A napkin drawing is a good way to capture all the details you need in a power supply before choosing a power supply. As we can see below, the main consideration is the specifications. Consider the power supply to be a black box, with the input parameters being on the left side, and output parameters being on the right side, and the other parameters of the power supply in the box.

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Let’s get into the each of these specification parameters one by one.

• AC input voltage range (Vin) – This is the range that your power supply needs, such as single-phase AC or three-phase AC. The designer needs to know the AC input voltage range of the application, to know what power supply to pick. The universal AC input voltage range for most systems are between 85~264 Vac, 47 to 60Hz. AC-DC power supply also comes with interchangeable blade kits, which can be switched easily to work in the country of your choice, such as Australia, UK, South Africa, China, Brazil, and so on. The. The other type of AC-DC power supply is the fixed blade, which just caters to one fixed ac input voltage range. It can be a desktop mount, or a wall mount based on your application needs.

• Output voltage range (Vout) – This would be the range that you would need for your output voltage. For example, in an LED or test and measurement application, you may require an adjustable output voltage range. In that case, choosing an AC-DC power supply that has a variable output range feature, saves time and money. In other cases, you would need a fixed output voltage, such as 48V, 12V, and so on. Below are some connector options power supply offer to choose from.

• Maximum output current (Iout) – It is important to know the absolute maximum output power that you need from the AC-DC power supply, as there are applications, where the output current fluctuates a lot. In cases like these, there are power supplies that can be paralleled for more power. Our webinar on Paralleling and Redundancy has more information on this, if you need more information on this.

• Output regulation / ripple – Some applications would cause the power supply to have higher output ripple, and output current to fluctuate a lot. This is mainly due to the type of load such as motor drives. Some questions to ask yourself is if you require a regulated output, what level is tolerable for your application, and so on. This can be seen on the datasheet electrical specification.

• Space/dimensions – Considering the fact that power supplies are becoming more and more compact, one question to ask yourself is if you have enough space in your application to fit the power supply, if you have extra space for paralleling supplies for higher power, if there is space to fit in a fan or conduction plate for cooling the power supply, and so on.

• Enclosure/cooling/fan – Does your power supply require an enclosed fan, or do you require conduction cooling, or an external fan to keep the module cool? Many power supplies have features called the over temperature protection, which helps to shut down the power supply to prevent further damage due to overheating. General practice it to keep the module as cool as possible for best results.

• Temperature grade – Can the supply withstand the harsh temperature conditions such as -40C, or up to +50C? There were cases of electric cars that could not start up in peak winter across different parts of the country. So, you need to consider if your power supply will remain functional at those extreme temperatures. The electrical specifications of the datasheet can help find this information.

• Derating: The environment will affect the power supply to some extent, causing some power to be lost, this is called derating. Altitude and temperature are some factors affecting the derating.

• Standards to meet – Some applications require you to meet certain specifications, such as , IP20, IP22, and so on. What does your application need? Some products are tested to certain standards based on common customer needs. Check your application, before choosing the power supply. Some products commonly have UL, TUV, EN, and so on built into the power supply.

These are just some of the parameters that are important to help you choose the right power supply for your application. Ultimately, it depends on your final application, and what parameter is most important to you when choosing the power supply. Feel free to contact us for further information or even just for knowledge exchange.

When purchasing a power supply, especially a programmable DC power supply, it is critical to understand and consider the power supply’s various features and specifications. DC programmable power supplies are standard in many areas, including research and development, manufacturing tests, quality control labs or process-control systems. Overlooking key features can lead to costly errors, project delays, or even the need to replace the power supply completely.

This blog post, will review the essential features and specifications to look for in DC programmable power supplies. These considerations will ensure you pick the best instrument for your needs and avoid unplanned costs and delays.

Understanding power, voltage and current ratings

The primary consideration when choosing programmable DC power supplies is the power envelope, which ensures the supply has enough voltage and current output. You should select a supply with a 10% to 20% excess capacity over the maximum power required for your device-under-test (DUT) and load circuit. This excess capacity provides a safety margin in case of any unexpected load condition. Examples include dynamic load changes such as startup surges or, sudden demand increase, overheating, or increased wear and tear.

Futureproofing is also essential. You should consider the power requirements of future products to avoid excess capital investments later.

The importance of accuracy in programmable DC power supplies

Accuracy in a power supply is multifaceted. It includes output accuracy, load regulation, stability, standards compliance and calibration traceability.

For high accuracy, remote sensing is vital. This ensures the programmed voltage is fully applied to the load, which will compensate for any voltage drop across test leads. A remote-sensing feature is crucial, especially when the load requires a large current, which can cause significant voltage drops. For calibration purposes, knowing the total accuracy specification of the power supply is key. A high-confidence calibration typically requires an uncertainty ratio of at least 1:4, preferably 1:10.

Output characteristics

When delivering maximum power to the DUT at varying voltages, the output characteristic of the power supply is crucial. There are two types: rectangular and output characteristics.

Autoranging programmable DC power supplies, such as EA Elektro-Automatik power supplies, can deliver full-rated output power from the maximum rated voltage down to a fraction of that voltage. This provides substantial savings and versatility compared to rectangular output supplies.

• Starting Range: EA Elektro-Automatik autoranging supplies start at just 160W.
• Upper Range: These solutions can extend through to 480 kW, indicating that EA Elektro-Automatik cater supplies to a broad spectrum of power requirements.
• Voltage Range: True autoranging capability provides full power down to 33% of the rated output voltage. This means that the power supply can deliver full power even at a third of the maximum output voltage.

Waveform generation capabilities

Some testing procedures require the generation of custom power waveforms or the simulation of power sources. While the common solution involves using a function generator alongside the power supply, some programmable DC power supplies come with built-in function generators.

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Here are some of the benefits of an internal function generator over an external function generator:

• Ease of test setup by eliminating the need for additional equipment
• Safety and avoiding a low-power signal generator to a high-power instrument
• Cost-effectiveness of limiting the number of pieces of equipment needed
• Dynamic testing of emulating load conditions and a noisy source

User interface and accessibility

A user-friendly interface is essential for efficient monitoring and control. Look for displays with wide viewing angles and intuitively accessed functions. Demonstrations of the user interface help show the product’s ease of programming and troubleshooting.

Parallel outputs for flexibility

Consider power supplies that can safely parallel multiple units if your application requires higher current output. This feature allows for greater flexibility and ensures an even load distribution across the supplies.

Here are some of the rules for paralleling to ensure safety and functionality:

• Share-bus: Up to 64 EA- series power supplies and loads can be connected in parallel using the master-auxiliary bus system.
• Device combination: The system can consist of any combination of units of the same voltage classes and the same type.
• Galvanically isolated share-bus interface: Each device has a galvanically isolated share-bus interface that provides safety by allowing the devices to safely share load requirements.
• Full dynamic range operation: The entire rack can operate at full dynamic range, ensuring that the system can handle dynamic load changes efficiently.
• Control with one device: The entire system can be controlled with a single device, simplifying the management of the parallel system.

These rules are designed to ensure that when devices are paralleled, they operate safely and effectively, providing the necessary power for a wide range of applications.

Automated control interfaces

For automated test systems, the selected power supply should have the necessary interfaces such as Ethernet, USB, CAN, Profibus and Modbus. This flexibility allows for seamless integration with various control systems, whether a PC or a PLC.

Energy-saving efficiency and regenerative capabilities

Efficiency is a key consideration, especially regarding power factor and energy recovery. Power supplies with regenerative energy recovery, such as the EA-PSB bidirectional DC power supply or the ELR regenerative DC electronic load, can significantly reduce utility costs and cooling requirements.

Also, a bidirectional programmable power supply can operate as both a power supply and an electronic load, potentially reducing the need for additional equipment.

Futureproofing your power supplies

When investing in power supplies, consider the longevity of your supplies and your space’s future requirements. In rapidly evolving industries such as renewable energy, selecting supplies that can adapt to changing testing needs is crucial. Modular systems offer the flexibility to upgrade as necessary.

In Conclusion

Selecting the right programmable DC power supply requires careful consideration of various specifications and features. You can make a wise investment that meets your testing and operational needs when you understand your future needs in terms of:

• Accuracy requirements
• Output characteristics
• Noise levels
• Protection features
• User interface
• Flexibility
• Control interfaces
• Efficiency
• Input power range
• Space requirements
• Futureproofing considerations

The extensive range of EA Elektro-Automatik power supplies can provide you with a wide variety of choices for your specific applications.For more information, read the full app note, Make a Wise Choice for your Next DC Programmable Power Supply.

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