Power bench

A programmable bench supply, an electronic load and a 6½-digit bench DMM wired to a device under test, or to a solar panel. The leads have real resistance, the devices have real limits, and things can break. Learn the safe power-up routine: set the current limit and OVP before you switch the output on.

Bench DMM

Voltage measured at:

Safe power-up routine

1. Output off. 2. Set the voltage. 3. Set the current limit just above what the device should draw. 4. Set OVP below the device's maximum input. 5. Connect, then switch on and watch the CV/CC lamp. A supply sitting in CC means the device wants more current than you allowed: find out why before you raise the limit.

Device under test

Bench supply 30 V / 5 A

CVCCOVP

Voltage set

Step

Current limit

Step

Over-voltage protection at

Remote sense (4-wire, regulates at the DUT)

Electronic load 80 V / 10 A / 150 W

UNREGOPP

Mode

Setpoint

CC sinks a set current, CR acts as a resistor, CV holds a voltage (like a battery being charged), CP draws constant power (like a DC-DC converter).