Power Supplies

This module will teach you how to use both analog and digital power supplies. While there will be different power supplies in the world in which you will interact, this will gain you the basic knowledge of power supplies to be able to handle any power supply you come across.

The analog power supply we will work with is the model HY3003D-3 and information can be found in this data sheet or user manual. It is important to note that many different manufacturers will make the HY3003D-3 model of regulated analog power supply. While the interface might be different, the circuit diagram is the same.

The digital power supply used is the Rigol DP1308A and information can be found here, specifically under the documents tab and looking at either the data sheet or user manual.

For this module, you will need:

• Rigola DP1308A digital DC Power Supply
• HY3003D-3 analog DC Power Supply
• 2 Fluke 179 True RMS multimeters
• An assortment of short wires
• Resistors: 4x100ohm and 1 10kohm
• A breadboard (or protoboard)
• BNC-Banana Plug Adaptor (with male BNC plug)
• BNC Cables

This module assumes some familiarity with the Multimeters and detail will not always be explained when using these devices.

This module is part of the General Lab Equipment Obstacle Course.

Floating and Grounding

Diagrams for the difference between floating and grounded power supplies. Grounded power supply can not be used to boost already supplied volatages

It is important to first discuss the difference between a floating power supply and a grounded power supply.

Ground is a physical connection to the earth (ground). For American three pronged outlets, the extra little third prong will attach to ground.

Floating circuits will have a point of lowest potential, but this value could be anything relative to ground. This is what occurs for American two pronged outlets and batteries. Floating can be used to change voltages when there is already a high voltage occurring. For example boosting 1000V to 1020V, where as a grounded supply would attempt to jump 1000V directly to ground.

Analog Power Supply

This section will cover use of the HY3003D-3 analog DC Power Supply. First discuss the basic nature of the power supply and then discuss the three operating modes.

General Analog Power Supply Information

Front of a HY3003D-3 analog power supply, noting that this particular model does not state it on the front

The HY3003D-3 analog power supply has meaning to its name, breaking into parts HY-30-03-D-3

1. HY- Brand/manufacturer
2. 30- Maximum output voltage (30 volts)
3. 03- Maximum output current (3 Amps)
4. D- Display type (LCD)
5. 3- Number of outputs (3)

There are three outputs on the analog power supply-

1. Floating Constant 5V Output
2. Master Output
3. Slave Output

The 5V output gives out a constant 5V (surprisingly). There are three modes in which the power supply can operate: independent, series and parallel. In independent mode, the master and slave descriptions mean nothing. Only while operating in the series or parallel mode will the master control the slave. In those modes, only the controls for the master will function and it will control both supplies simultaneously.

Constant 5V Output

We will first discuss the constant 5 volt output. First to explore, we use the multimeter in resistance mode to find the internal resistance of the constant power 5V power supply. With the power off, measure the resistance from the positive terminal (red) and the negative terminal (black) of the 5V supply (far right in picture).

1. What resistance do you read across the constant voltage supply? Does this seem reasonable?

This value is important to know, as the internal resistance of the power supply can affect the desired output of the power supply depending on your load circuit. Now measure the resistance between the positive terminal of the constant power supply and ground (a green terminal)

2. What resistance do you read? Does this make sense?

The 5V supply by default is a floating supply, so there should be no connection to ground. If we wanted a ground 5 Volt supply, we could connect the negative (black) terminal to the ground (green) with a wire (banana or otherwise).

Operating in Independent Mode

In the center of the panel, you will find the dial/buttons (depending on model) for the operation mode of the analog power supply. For this section, make sure that you are operating in independent mode. In this mode, the two internal power supplies are independent and can be controlled individually.

For each supply, you should be able to identify the current control knob, voltage control knob and three terminals for the voltage (red positive, black negative and green ground).

1. What resistance do you read from the positive terminal to the negative terminal of one of the supplies? Does this seem reasonable?
2. What resistance do you read from the positive terminal to the negative terminal of the other supply? Are they the same?
3. What resistance do you read from the positive terminal to ground? The negative terminal to ground? Does this make sense?

Be default, both supplies are floating. We could connect the negative (black) terminal to the ground (green) with a wire (banana or otherwise) if a grounded power source was required.

4. What resistance do you read from the positive terminal of one supply, to the positive terminal of the other supply? Does this make sense?

Even though we are in independent mode, there is still a connection between the two internal supplies. The resistance is very high, so unless the resistance of the circuit load is very high, this should be okay.

5. What resistance do you read from the positive terminal of one supply, to the positive terminal of constant 5V supply? Does this make sense?

The 5V supply is not connected in any way to the other two supplies.

We will now move to discuss the different modes the analog power supply can operate in.

Voltage Supply

Basic circuit using the analog power supply across a resistor. The multimeters should be used for ammeter and voltmeter.

To explore this, you will set up a very basic circuit to test the power supply. Simply put a voltage across a 100ohm resister as shown. To verify the operation of the power supply, we also want to include a ammeter in the circuit and a voltmeter across the resistor. Either power supply can be used for this section; the controls work the same for both.

With the power off, turn the current control knob all the way clockwise. This will allow for the maximal current to by supplied by the power supply. The voltage control knob should be turned all the way down by turning it all the way counter-clockwise. Turn on the power supply! Adjusting the voltage knob will change the voltage output. The display will show the voltage in Volts. Set the voltage to 7.5V.

1. What voltage do you read in the voltmeter? Is it the same as the reading on the power supply?
2. What current does the display read?
3. What current does the ammeter read? Is it the same as the power supply?

If you turn up the voltage too high, you will burn out the resistor! We can protect delicate circuits with the current control knob. We will be discuss current limiting below.

Replace the 100ohm resistor with the 10kohm resistor and turn the voltage knob to the max.

4. What voltage do you read in the voltmeter? Is it the same as the reading on the power supply?
5. What current does the display read?
6. What current does the ammeter read? Is it the same as the power supply?

In this case, the load can sustain all the current and we max out at the voltage of the power supply. We will now move to discuss the using the power supply as a current source.

... turn off the power supply.

Current Supply

Basic circuit using the analog power supply across four resistors in parallel. The multimeters should be used for ammeter and voltmeter.

To explore this, we use a slightly different circuit. Put 4 100ohm resisters in parallel then power across the parallel circuit. To verify the operation of the power supply, we also want to include a ammeter in the circuit and a voltmeter across the resistor. Either power supply can be used for this section; the controls work the same for both.

With the power off, turn the voltage control knob all the way clockwise. This will allow for the maximal voltage to by supplied by the power supply. The current control knob should be turned all the way down by turning it all the way counter-clockwise. Turn on the power supply! Adjusting the current knob will change the current output. The display will show the current in Amps. Set the current to 0.3A.

1. What current do you read in the voltmeter? Is it the same as the reading on the power supply?
2. What voltage does the display read?
3. What voltage does the ammeter read? Is it the same as the power supply?

If you turn up the current too high, you will burn out the resistors! When operating in this mode is in important to know the current limit of the load you are using.

Now start adjusting the voltage knob counter clockwise, observing the voltage reading as it goes.

4. What happens? Why is this?

This idea is the basics behind the current limiting function of the power supply. The current knob can be set to the desired maximal current and then the voltage can be varied.

Return the current to zero and the voltage to the max. Replace the parallel circuit with a 10kohm resistor.

5. What happens if you try to increase the current now? Why is this?

Each individual supply can only give 30V. We will discuss how to get more voltage by operating in the series mode.

...Turn off the power supply

Current Limited Protection Mode

These power supplies can be operated in a current limited mode in order to protect the load from high currents. This section will describe how to set a current limit before the power supply has been connected to the load.

With the supply off and nothing connected to the power supply, turn the current control all the way to the max and the voltage control to the minimum. Turn on the power. We want to adjust the adjust the voltage control to the voltage we will be using (or the maximum voltage). At this point set it to 10V. Now connect the positive and negative terminal with a thick banana wire. We can now adjust the current to our desired limit with the current control knob. Set it to 0.3A. Unplug the banana wire and turn the voltage all the way down. Now attach the parallel circuit from the current source section. Start upping the voltage now that the circuit is connected.

1. What happens? Why is this?

This is the safest and most effective way to protect a circuit before it is ever connected to the power supply.

...Turn off the power supply

Operating in Series Mode

Note that for series mode, we use the negative (black) terminal for the slave and the positive (red) terminal of the master.

Switch the center switch to series mode. This will vary depending on the model you are using. In this mode the two supplies will become linked in series allowing for a greater voltage output.

With the power off, connect the negative terminal of the slave to one end of a 10kohm resistor and the positive terminal of the master to the other end of the resistor. This will connect across both supplies. Adjust both slave knobs and the master's current control to the maximum value (clockwise) and the master's voltage knob to zero.

1. Which supply mode are we operating in (voltage or current)?

Turn on the power supply. Start adjusting the master voltage and observe the voltage displays.

2. What do you notice about the voltage displays?
3. What is the maximal voltage you can get?
4. What do you think the voltage across the resistor is?

Set the voltage on the master display to 5 volts. Get your multimeter handy and get ready to measure some voltages.

5. Measure the voltage across the resistor, what it is?
6. Measure the voltage from the positive terminal of the master to the negative terminal of the master, what it is? Does this make sense?
7. Measure the voltage from the positive terminal of the master to the positive terminal of the slave, what it is? Does this make sense?
8. Measure the voltage from the positive terminal of the slave to the negative terminal of the slave, what it is? Does this make sense?

Each supply still creates its individual voltage, and the total of those can be utilized by treating them as one supply with the master's positive terminal and the slave's negative terminal. The thing to remember is that the total voltage will be the sum of the displays.

Turn down the voltage to zero. Now remove the 10kohm resistor from the circuit and replace it with the 4 100 kohm resistors in parallel. Now make the voltage across the resistors 4 volts (2 volts on each display). Adjust the slave voltage knob all the way down and back up. Then do the same with the slave current control.

9. What happens when the slave voltage is adjusted?
10. What happens when the slave current is adjusted?
11. Why do you think it works this way?

The master completely controls the voltage in this mode, so the slave voltage control has been disabled. The slave current control can still be used to limit the current, but the master still continues to operate. Make sure the slaves controls are both set to maximum. Now adjust the master current control.

12. What happens when the current control kicks in?

In this case, the master current control will also control the slave's current as well as the voltage. With this in mind, the series power supply can and should be operated using only the master controls. If a current source was wanted, everything can be done with the master controls.

Operating in Parallel Mode

Operating in parallel mode allows for a high current output. The power supplies will be linked in parallel with each other. Again in this case, the slave controls should be opened to the max, and all adjustments to the current or voltage should be down with the master controls. The load can go across either the slave or master terminals, but it is suggested to use the master terminals.

In this mode, the maximum voltage remains 30V, but the maximum current will be 6A. As this is a high current that would require many resistors in parallel to get the current without burning out the resistors, we do not test this limit here.

In this mode, the parallel supply can be used in either current or voltage limiting mode using the techniques given above.

Digital Power Supply

This section will cover use of the Rigol DP1308A digital DC Power Supply. First discuss the basic nature of the power supply and then discuss the three operating modes.

General Analog Power Supply Information

Front of a Rigol DP1308A digital power supply

Rigol DP1308A digital DC Power Supply doesn't seem to have as clear of a meaning to its specification number. There are three outputs on the digital power supply-

1. Independent 6V/5A Output (red)
2. Common 25V/1A Output (yellow)
3. Common -25V/1A Output (green)

The 6V supply is isolated from the from the other two outputs for pure independent sources if needed. The two common port supplies have the same reference point for zero voltage. One supply will give positive voltages from that zero, while the other goes more negative. This can be considered the two supplies being connected in series as above for the analog circuits.

Again all the outputs are floating by default. There is a ground terminal on the front that can be used to ground the terminals if desired. Remember that if this is to be used to connect to the negative terminals as marked on the power supply.

Front panel controls

Section of the panel for selecting power supplies and turning them on/off

At first changing the voltage and current for the supplies can seem odd and cumbersome, so we will first familiarize ourselves with the controls. Directly to the right of the display, you'll notice the buttons shown to the right. With these controls, you are able to select which supply you will be controlling with the +6V, +25V and -25V buttons. With the power on, try selecting the different outputs.

1. Looking at the display, how can you tell which one is active?

Above the output selection are the buttons for turning on/off all the supplies at the same time. Press the All on button.

2. What happens? Why do you think they would prompt this?

Select cancel using the button directly under cancel on the display. Typically turning all the supplies on is not the best idea unless you are sure everything is setup correctly. Lets go ahead and select the 6V supply. Now press the on/off button directly below it to turn it on.

3. How can we tell the supply is turned on?
4. Is there more than one way to tell?

Go ahead and turn off the 6V supply. We will move to discuss how to set the voltages and currents for the outputs. You should notice at the bottom of the display the words Volt, Curr, O.V.P. and O.C.P.

5. Which one is light up? What do you think this means?

The buttons below each of those will allow to to set the voltage, current, over voltage protection and over current protection, respectively.

Panel section for setting values

If we want to set the voltage, there are two ways to do it:

• Adjusting the value with the cursor.
• Setting the value directly.

First, we will use the cursor to set it. Select Volt to set the voltage. You will notice a little white box in the lower smaller voltage. The location of the box can be moved using the left and right arrows on the grey dial to the right of the display. The value of the box can be shifted up and down using the up and down arrows. Try setting the voltage to 0.5V and 1A. Remember that to switch to current, you'll need to select it using the display.

Now we use the number pad to set the voltage and current. This is done by typing the value into the keypad, then selecting the units you wish to use. To select the units, you can either use the grey buttons that were used to adjust previously. Or using the buttons below the display. Try setting the voltage back to 6V and current in 5A.

6. Do you have to have the current selected to change the current with this method?
7. Which method do you perfer to use?

We will discuss the over protection functions later, but for now know that they can be set in the same manner as for the voltage and current.

Display Modes

There are four display modes available for the Rigol digital power supply.

• General display mode (default when turned on)
• Focus display mode
• General waveform display mode
• Focus waveform display mode

The two categories that change are the general/focus and waveform display. The button to switch to focus mode is at the lower right of the display (looks like a magnifying glass), press it to see what happens.

1. Describe what is different.
2. Can you change which channel is focused on?

This power supply has a timing mode that can be used to switch the voltage/current after a set amount of time. The focus mode displays the next current and voltage settings when using timing. We will discuss timing later.

On the right side of the control panel you will see the "Wave Disp" under the number pad. Press it now. Turn on the current channel, then set the voltage to 10V.

3. What do you notice?

Change the voltage to another value and wait a few seconds.

4. How often does this display update?

Now switch to a different channel. This channel will now be the focus of the display. In this mode it is easy to see which channel is currently being set.

5. Is this channel in waveform display?
6. What do you think the general waveform display looks like right now?

Return to general mode by pressing the focus button again.

7. Is it what you expected?

Depending on your application, some of the channels will remain fixed, while others can be set on a timer and which one you want to watch is important. You will note that in general display mode there is only one data line.

8. Which is it displaying: Voltage, current or power?

Now that you have stepped through the different display settings, you should be able to use the one that is most applicable to your application!

Voltage Supply

4 100ohm resistor is parallel as load attached to the 6V channel of the digital power supply

We will now explore using this power supply as a voltage source. For our load we will use the 4 100ohm resistors in parallel. We will use the 6V channel and attach the load as shown in the figure. You can have the display set to which ever mode you want. Turn on the 6V channel. Set the Voltage to 5V.

1. What is the current currently set to? (if not 5A set to 5A)
2. What is the voltage output?
3. What is the current output?
4. What is the power output?

Change the voltage to a few other values and witness the changes.

These resistors cannot take too much current before they start to burn. As was done for the analog supply, we will now examine current protection for our load. For now set the voltage equal to zero before moving on.

Current Limited and Over Current Protection

There are two ways to protect the circuit from too much current. The two ways are current limiting and over current protection (OCP). Current limiting will hold the voltage below a certain value, while the OCP will shut off the channel completely.

Set the current value to 0.1A. Now set the voltage to 1V.

1. What is the voltage output?
2. What is the current output?
3. What is the power output?

Now set the voltage to 5V.

4. What is the voltage output?
5. What is the current output?
6. What is the power output?

As with the analog supplies, the highest the current will go is what we have set the current. This is current limiting.

Now set the voltage to zero and the current to 5A. Press the OCP button below the display. By default this is set to off and 5.5A. Set the OCP. to 0.1A. Then press the OCP button to turn on OCP. Now set the voltage to 5V. If you are using keypad entry for changing voltages, you will need to press the voltage button below the display first before setting the value.

7. What happened?
8. What is the output on the display?

You will notice that not only did it turn off the channel, but it also turned off OCP. Try turning OCP back on.

9. What needs to happen before you can turn OCP back on?

You typically want to reset your voltage and current before you turn the channel on again.

Before moving on, you want to make sure that OCP is off.

Current Supply, Voltage limiting and Over Voltage Protection

To have a current supply, it follows the same as for the analog supply for a current supply. You will set the voltage to maximum and then set the current to the desired amount.

Make sure you start with the channel off. We will use the setup from the voltage supply section. Set the voltage to 6V and current to 0A. Now turn on the channel. Set the current to 50mA.

1. What is the voltage output?
2. What is the current output?
3. What is the power output?

Now set the current to 0.3A

4. What is the voltage output?
5. What is the current output?
6. What is the power output?

You will not get the 0.3A you want as the supply has now been voltage limited. The same idea holds that the highest voltage you will get for a given current is set by the voltage input.

Now set the Over Voltage Protection to 3V and then turn it on.

7. Is this any different than when OCP was used?

Remember that if the channel is shut off for this reason to reset your current to zero before turning the channel back on and then enabling the OVP.

Note! You can set both OCP and OVP at the same to protect from high voltages and currents at the same time!

Series mode (multiplexed)

This digital power supply has two of the channels automatically in series mode. The yellow +25V channel and green -25V supply have a common port. To explore this we will use the multimeter to test the voltages at different points of the output channel. Set the yellow channel to 5V and the green channel to 12V and turn on both channels. Use the multimeter to answer the following questions:

1. What is the voltage from the common port (black) to the output of the 25V channel (red to the left)?
2. What is the voltage from the common port (black) to the output of the -25V channel (red to the right)?
3. What is the voltage from the output of the -25V channel to the output of the 25V channel?

In this case we can separately change the voltage for each channel. There is no master power supply.

Tracking

We can setup either supply to control the output of the other. This is done with the track button. With the yellow channel (+25V) set to 5V and the green channel (-25V) set to 12V, select the green channel. Turn on both channels and press the track button on the right side of the panel. The display will prompt that this will change the output, hit OK.

1. What is the voltage output of the green channel?

Try changing the voltage of the -25V channel.

2. What happens?

Now change the voltage of the +25V channel.

3. What happens?

This has made the yellow channel the master and the green channel the slave. Alternatively, the green channel is tracking the yellow channel. Now select the yellow channel and hit the track button. It'll prompt you about the voltage changing, hit OK. The yellow channel is tracking the green channel now.

4. How can you tell?

If you press track again, the channel with stop tracking.

Using the tracking is the best way to control the power supply between 0 and 50V using the two channels in series.

Timing mode

Timing mode allows for you to set up the power supply to change the voltage and current at set points in time. To see how this is done, we will go through a sample timing scheme. We will use the 4 100ohm resisters in parallel as our load and the +25V supply. Press the utility button on the right side of the panel. Then press TimerSet under the display. You should see the display shown to the right.

Display for timing when first entered.

With the buttons below the display, you can select which channel you will be modifying. Select +25V. The left side of the display that is currently empty will later show the graphs of the voltage and current as a function of time. The right side is where the values will be set. There are 5 steps that the timing can do. For each step you can set the voltage, current and duration of the step. The left column is used for specialized timing and will not be discussed in this module. If it needs to be used check the user manual for the power supply. The arrows can be used to select which value you are setting. To set a value, the keypad must be used. Once the value is set, it will automatically step to the next box. Input the follow settings:

• Step 1- 10V, 6A, 20s
• Step 2- 5V, 6A, 20s
• Step 3- 50mV, 6A, 20s
• Step 4- 25V, 0.5A, 20s
• Step 5- 25V, 50mA, 40s

It should look now look like the 2nd image in this section. The left side now should visually show the settings and durations of each of the steps.

1. How is the duration represented compared to the total time?

Now press exit to return to the normal display. Now change the display to focused waveform on the 6V channel. Finally turn on the channel, press the timer button, hit OK, sit back and record the data values.

2. Draw the voltage, current and power as a function of time as you see it on the display.

Display for timing after values have been entered.

You will notice that it turns off the channel at the end. Press timer while the channel is off, then turn on the channel.

3. What happens?

Often timing can be used to run a circuit start to finish. At this point feel free to play with the timing, but be careful to not burn out your resistors! To do this set the OCP to 0.5V, the voltage to zero and the current to zero. Now turn on the channel, activate OCP and then hit the timer button.

2. Draw the voltage, current and power as a function of time for your new parameter set.

Now you can set basic changes in voltage as a function of time. Function generators will typically be used when a repeating change needs to be used. Usage of them can be found The module is available here.

Other Functions

There are a few more settings and modes that can be used with the digital power supply such as

• Storing and recalling system parameters
• USB, LAN and GPIB interfaces
• U disk store
• Remote control via Web or commands
• Help function
• Utility settings

For more information on these settings and modes, please refer to the user manual.