Basic Outputs or Modes of DC Power Supplies

DC power supplies have four basic outputs or modes, including constant voltage, constant current, voltage limiting and current limiting.

 

DC power supplies have four basic outputs or modes, including constant voltage, constant current, voltage limiting and current limiting. Power supplies can be designed with various combinations of these outputs to suit a variety of applications.

 

Constant Voltage Power Supplies

Any changes in load, line or temperature do not affect the output voltage. Therefore, a constant output voltage is provided.

Ideally, constant voltage power supplies have zero output impedance at all frequencies.

Loads are connected in series.

 

There are four regulation techniques that can be used to provide a reasonable exercise bikes, including

1. Series regulation

This circuit consists of control elements connected in series with the rectifier and the load device. Linear power supplies have this type of regulation. The main advantages of series regulation are.

â–º high performance

â–ºSimple

â–º low power requirements

2. Series regulation vs. pre-regulation

Pre-regulation added to series regulators allows the application of circuit technology to medium to high power design applications. Pre-regulation can also increase efficiency by 10-20% by minimizing the power consumption of the series regulation components. The key benefits of series regulation with pre-regulation are

â–º High efficiency

â–ºExcellent regulation

â–ºLow ripple and noise

â–ºFewer series regulation transistors

3. Switching regulation

The switching regulation in a basic switching power supply consists of a series of connected transistors that are used as switches to turn on and off. The main advantages of switching regulation are.

â–º lower power consumption

â–º higher efficiency than linear type

â–ºLower operating costs

â–ºSmaller regulator heat sink

â–ºSmaller size and weight (for high switching rates)

4. SCR (silicon controlled rectifier)

This type of regulation technology is used for high power applications. the main advantages of SCRs are

â–ºSleek and pocket-sized

â–ºLow cost

â–º Relatively high efficiency

 

 

Constant current power supply

Any change in load, line or temperature does not affect the output current. Therefore, a constant output current is provided.

Ideally, constant current power supplies have infinite output impedance at all frequencies.

Changes in load resistance are accommodated by the constant current power supply, so the output voltage changes by just the right amount to keep the output current constant.

Common applications include semiconductor testing, circuit design, and fixed current supply for focusing coils.

Loads are connected in series.

 

Voltage Limiting

Similar to constant voltage power supplies, but it has less precise regulation characteristics.

 

Current Limiting

Like constant current power supplies, but its regulation characteristics are less precise.