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15 Determinants in DC Power Supply Selection

GPIB Programming

Programming a power supply remotely by means of a controller such as a PC. The controller
must have a GPIB (General Purpose Interface Bus) card installed in it, and connects to the
power supply by means of an GPIB cable.

Wattage Range

The output wattage range of the power supply.

Voltage Range

The output voltage range of the power supply.

Maximum Watts

The maximum output wattage rating of a power supply.

Maximum Volts

The maximum output voltage rating of a power supply.

Maximum Amperes

The maximum output current rating of a power supply.

Mainframe Modular

One of several power supply units that are installed in a mainframe.

Single/Multiple Output Ranges

Power supplies may have a single output, or multiple outputs that are individually controlled.

Number of Output Ranges

Some power supplies have more than one output range, only one of which may be active at a
time. A dual output range usually has one range with high voltage and low current, and
another range with low voltage and high current.

Number of Outputs

Power supplies that have more than one output. One example would be a mainframe
consisting of a number of power supply units. Each unit is counted as one output.

High/Normal Precision

High precision power supplies have 14-bit programming and readback of voltage and current;
normal precision power supplies have up to 12-bit programming and readback of voltage and
current.

Autoranging

A power supply that can provide maximum rated power over a wide and continuous range of
voltage and current settings.
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Constant Voltage/Current

A power supply that operates as a constant-voltage power supply or a constant-current power

supply, depending on load conditions. The supply acts as a constant-voltage source for
comparatively large values of load resistance and as a constant-current source for
comparatively small values of load resistance.

• A constant-voltage power supply stabilizes the output voltage with respect to changes in
influence quantities. Thus, for a change in load resistance, the output voltage remains
constant while the output current changes by whatever amount necessary to accomplish
this.

• A constant-current power supply stabilizes the output current with respect to changes in
load impedance. Thus, for a change in load resistance, the output current remains
constant while the output voltage changes by whatever amount necessary to accomplish
this.

Remote Sensing

Remote Sensing or remote error sensing, is a means by which a power supply or electronic
load monitors the stabilized voltage directly at the load or source respectively, using extra
sensing leads. The resulting circuit action compensates for voltage drops up to a specified limit
in the load leads.

Laboratory Use

Laboratory Use describes power supplies that are designed to be used on a lab bench. All
controls and connections are available at the front panel.