What is DC Regulated Power Supply?

A regulated power supply (also known usually as a linear power supply) ensures that the output current remains constant, even if the input changes, by converting unregulated AC (alternating current) to a constant DC (direct current).

In short:

• A DC power supply, also known as a bench power supply, is a type of power supply that gives direct current (DC) voltage to power a device.
• A DC power supply management subsystem can use AC, DC, battery, or ultralow voltage as inputs.
• Step down transformation, rectification, DC filtration, and regulation are the four major steps in a regulated DC power supply block diagram.
• DC power supply designs are categorised into two types: unregulated power supply and regulated power supply.
• The regulated power supply can be linearly regulated or switched.
• Primary switch mode and secondary switch mode are the two types of switch mode regulated power supplies.

• DC power supplies have four basic outputs: constant voltage, constant current, voltage limit, and current limit.
• Battery eliminators, constant voltage power supply, constant voltage/constant current power supply, programmable supply, and multi-range power supply are the most common DC power supplies available on the market.
• When selecting a DC power supply, one should consider the following specifications: constant current and constant voltage mode, output, regulation, temperature, AC input, ripple and noise, tracking accuracy, and DC isolation.

Why do you need a bench power supply which is regulated?

A bench power supply can be used to power individual circuits before they are finished. So, they prove to be a practical tool for testing and experimenting by providing a reliable source of power at varying voltages. They make your life simpler by enabling you to test your circuit designs and ideas quicker and easily, since you do not need to have a specific power supply for each project that you want to or have to test.
A regulated power supply ensures that the output supply is balanced even when the input load varies.

Most common applications include:

• Testing Circuits
• Testing mobile phone chargers
• Regulated power supplies in different appliances
• Various oscillators & amplifiers
• Audio visual applications

What should you look for in a regulated power supply?

Before deciding to purchase, consider the following features as per your needs:

Maximum Voltage and Current Required

Check what is the maximum voltage and current you require and select the model accordingly. Ideally, it should be able to power and test most of your projects. When you supply the circuits with some voltage, your regulated power supply should be able to keep up with the current drawn.

CC / VC Protection

CC/VC (Constant Current / Constant Voltage) Protection allows you to set a safe current and voltage limit to protect your components or circuits. This feature is one to look for, especially if you are a beginner or amateur.

Number of Output Channels

Generally, a single output channel covers the testing requirement and will be relatively more affordable. Regulated power supplies with dual and triple outputs cost more relatively but are required if you need multiple supplies simultaneously.

Linear vs Switching

Though switching power supplies tend to be lighter and more compact, linear power supplies are best suited for powering analogue circuitry because they have lower electrical noise.
A linear power supply uses a transformer to drop voltage from an AC line to a much lower AC voltage, and then uses a series of rectifier circuitry and filtering processes to produce clean DC voltage.

Short Circuit Protection

Check for short-circuit protection so that even by accident, excessive currents or currents larger than the acceptable current rating do not damage the unit and keep you protected too.

Low Ripple

Ripples are caused due to incomplete suppression of the alternating waveform, due to improper current rectification process. Hence, these ripples are wasted power which can have varied undesirable effects in a DC circuit. They can heat components, cause noise and distortion or even cause the digital circuits to operate unexpectedly. Ensure that the Ripple is as low as possible, so that you get pure ripple-free DC waveform.

Metravi offers a wide range of DC Regulated Power Supplies, backed by a year’s warranty against manufacturing defects.

For a detailed and comprehensive article on DC Power Supplies, please check:

https://www.iqsdirectory.com/articles/power-supply/dc-power-supply.html?msID=1744cd54-a757-40da-adaa-30334467af53