Looking for a budget bipolar bench PSU - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: LektroiD
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 22, 2015, 01:43:38 pm
content: I have an analogue bench psu (Isotech IPS2302A) which can be configured in series for bipolar use. Since it has an analogue output meter, I need to use a DVM for accuracy each time I alter the voltage, which is time consuming. So I'm looking for something digital, not too expensive, but nothing shite either. It must have bipolar option (-/G/+). I was looking at the Rigol DP832, but seems it doesn't go bipolar.Common voltages required are(+/G/-) 15VDC(+/G/-) 12VDC(+/-) 5VDC

author: dom0
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 22, 2015, 02:11:05 pm
content: How about replacing the analog panel meters with digital ones?

author: Ghydda
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 22, 2015, 02:15:14 pm
content: He wants to punch in numbers, not fiddle knobs to set his voltages.

author: LektroiD
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 22, 2015, 02:28:26 pm
content: Quote from: dom0 on May 22, 2015, 02:11:05 pmI'd love to do something like this, but don't really know the best way to go about it.Isotech do make adigital version of this PSU, but it's a little outside my price range...

author: edavid
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 22, 2015, 03:03:15 pm
content: Your title is misleading. That is not a bipolar power supply, it is a dual (tracking?) power supply. What is your actual budget?

author: Sebastian
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 22, 2015, 03:27:38 pm
content: Quote from: LektroiD on May 22, 2015, 01:43:38 pmOf course you can generate a positive and negative supply with the DP832. You just have to connect + and - of Ch1 and Ch2 and use it as ground reference. On the remaining negative socket will be you negative rail and the positive on the positive socket.To adjust both voltages at the same time, you can set CH2 to track CH1. (Or vice versa, but same difference)

author: krivx
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 22, 2015, 03:30:53 pm
content: Quote from: LektroiD on May 22, 2015, 01:43:38 pmYou should probably figure out how accurate a supply you need, as that will have a large effect on price. Analogue meters don't mean inaccurate and digital readouts certainly don't guarantee accuracy

author: LektroiD
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 22, 2015, 03:54:54 pm
content: Quote from: edavid on May 22, 2015, 03:03:15 pmMy apologies, this is what I mean by a bipolar power supply...http://groupdiy.com/index.php?topic=32448.0

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 22, 2015, 04:21:04 pm
content: Most digital meters on PSUs are just as inaccurate as analog meters. You'll need at least 4.5 digit meters in order to get a useful reading. Try to set 3.3V with just one decimal digit

author: dadler
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 22, 2015, 07:24:10 pm
content: As stated above, you can do this with the DP832 by putting the two 30v channels in series and using the center as "ground". It supports tracking.I also have an E3631a that is specifically designed for tracking and operates similar to the DP832 except the return current path can be independent across ch1 and ch2 on the Rigol.The E3630a also does tracking, but does not have current limiting.