Bridging Ch2 & Ch3 of the Rigol DP832 to increase 5v current output - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: ornea
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: April 26, 2016, 03:39:04 am
content: After much deliberation I was all keen to finally buy a shiny new DP832 and then realised that I am often working on Arcade PCB's where i need 5V @ 4A and 12V @ 300mAIs it possible to set channel 2 (0 - 30v ch) to 5V and connect in parallel to channel 3 (5v fixed Max 3A) to give the 4A needed.The manual discusses connecting Ch1 & Ch2 and using tracking mode etc but does not talk about Ch2 & Ch3.Experimenting would provide an answer in a flash and i cant see why it cant be done.What say ye.The DP831 looks perfect with 0 - 8V at 5A but Aussie dealer Emonahttp://www.emona.com.au/only stock the DP831A which is out of my price range. Perhaps I should contact them

author: bson
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: April 26, 2016, 07:25:09 am
content: No, you can't connect the outputs in parallel. You'll get current running from one output to the other depending on which happens to be fractionally higher voltage, until it either hits equilibrium or enters CC mode. In CC mode the outputs will likely bounce around wildly as they take turns entering CC.

author: Marchello
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: April 26, 2016, 08:09:03 am
content: Yes, you can connect the outputs in parallel.I do this often ch1 + ch2 (up to 32V 6.4A with tracking) or ch2 + ch3 (up to 5.2V 6.4A w/o tracking, you need separately set equivalent voltage and current before chan ON)BRMarkSorry for my english

author: Ivan7enych
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 26, 2016, 10:50:31 am
content: I would better link channel 1 and 3, to avoid possible ambiguity with current sensor resistors.In other ways I see no issues.

author: bson
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: April 26, 2016, 05:52:50 pm
content: It doesn't matter which channels you try to parallel on the DP832 - it won't do it. You will have significant cross-currents and voltage drops. Believe me, I've tried it. Simply doesn't work. Get a supply with sufficient output or that can parallel outputs.

author: CustomEngineerer
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 26, 2016, 07:07:26 pm
content: From page 2-8 of the DP800 Users GuideNote:1. Only insulated channels can be connected in series or in parallel.For a single power supply, CH1 and CH2/CH3 of DP832 can be connected in series or in parallel, but CH2 and CH3 cannot be connected in series or parallelEdit: Formatting fix

author: Ivan7enych
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 27, 2016, 01:20:34 pm
content: Quote from: bson on April 26, 2016, 05:52:50 pmI can't tell about all power supplies, but Rigol can only source current, it can't sink current if voltage on its output is higher than Vset. So output voltage will be maximum from both channels (when current is low).In general there can be several cases (assuming both channels are set to 5V, 3A) -- I < 3A - both channels work in CV mode, output voltage is max from 2 outputs, the channel which have > voltage sources most of the required current.- I > 3A but < 6A - one channel (which have > voltage) can't keep voltage and works in CC mode, supplying all 3A it can, second channel works in CV mode.- I = 6A - both channels work in CC mode

author: ornea
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: April 28, 2016, 09:22:45 am
content: So I ordered a DP831 today with Emona. Begged for a discount and finally when I mentioned that I discovered them via the EEVBLOG, bam, 5% off. i am happy with that. Thanks Emona and EEVBLOG

author: Meth
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: April 28, 2016, 12:57:14 pm
content: Has anyone had any problems bridging Ch1 and Ch2 together?I'm in the market for a power supply and aside from used Agilents that pop up on the UK auction site (sadly it's not like the US where they crop up ten a penny), I've been considering a new Rigol DP832 (hopefully with discount code too!).I think for most of what I want to do I won't need to bridge outputs but there are times I might want to run 12V bridged.Thanks!