Farnell LS30-10 - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: Godzil
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 28, 2015, 05:24:09 pm
content: I've just found at my workplace an old Farnell LS30-10 power supply, 32V, 10A.It's not a linear power supply, but with the trusty (or not) fluke 111 I have on my desk, the output, for both current and voltage are spot one, I've take a look inside this model was released in 1986, this one seems to be a 1992 vintage one.I don't know how such an old equipment could be here in this office that have less than 10 years, but well it's a nice find(and it have two 10 turn pot for voltage AND current, unlike the much more recent linear power supply we use now that have the coarse/fine 1 turn pot for voltage and a single pot and turn for currentIt does not seems to be really able to output 10 Amps on the 32V output, but less than that, but I was unable to find (apart on some fishy website that ask to pay) for the user manual and schematics, if anyone have it..I will post some photos of the internal later because there is a component (in fact two of the same) unknown to me, seems to be related with isolation between the high voltage and the low voltage, but I never saw that before.And it's made in the UK!

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 28, 2015, 07:47:38 pm
content: It'll likely be a re-badge but who was the OEM?Anybody?

author: Andy Watson
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 28, 2015, 08:14:23 pm
content: Quote from: tautech on October 28, 2015, 07:47:38 pmFarnell power supplies were often Wayne Kerr in origin. But there is probably a greater chance of finding Farnell documentation than Wayne Kerr.

author: Godzil
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 28, 2015, 08:39:01 pm
content: There is clearly marked Farnell on the PCB, but I also find some information about a Wayne Kerr with the same reference (LS30-10)What is surprising is that it's not a linear power supply, but it also make is really light

author: Godzil
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 29, 2015, 05:48:55 pm
content: Here we go, sorry I took the pictures with my phone, I hope they will be acceptable in full size...I haven't figure until now, but the maximum voltage is 10 x piThe only thing I have no idea on what it is is the "ZZ9E30090" big component in the middle of the PCB..And as you can see, it still have the test label using during manufacturing..

author: Macbeth
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 29, 2015, 06:42:30 pm
content: Quote from: Andy Watson on October 28, 2015, 08:14:23 pmNo bloody wonder they renamed it

author: radhaz
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 30, 2015, 03:11:02 am
content: It certainly looks well made. Free isn't bad either.

author: Deathwish
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 30, 2015, 12:32:01 pm
content: Quote from: Macbeth on October 29, 2015, 06:42:30 pmAnd there I was thinking it was only me who had an obscene mind at that name.

author: steve207a
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: October 30, 2015, 03:02:47 pm
content: Hi with older power supplies if you have no circuit diagram I would go for the small electrolytic capacitors as they dry up with age look for any close to heatsinks and lower value say under 100mfd and possibly 50v types or higher voltage as they seem more prone to dry out the lower the value the more impact there is when they loose value.invest in an esr meter and capacitor meter really handy to have ive found many a dried out capacitor in many power supplies ...the larger value capacitors seem to be better obviously they can drop in value too but take longer and seem to last longer anywayso if all else fails go for the smaller caps firstregardssteve

author: PA0PBZ
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 30, 2015, 03:31:24 pm
content: "Autoranging" Power Supply, that could get interesting when it decides to autorange without warning....

author: jon sawyer
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: May 04, 2020, 12:55:23 pm
content: I have an LS30-10 circuit if needed still. The fault on my unit turned out to be trimpots P2 and P7 had an open circuit wiper. Try rotating them a few times with a screwdriver, paying attention to returning them to the exact original location to minimise a calibration shift. Alos main input capacitr went up in smoke. Easy to replace it though. Note that this may be powered continually if plugged in, but unit is turned off at the front.Other than this - its been an excellent unit over past 30 years !

author: coromonadalix
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 05, 2020, 02:00:19 am
content: The autoranging is fun to read, it must be the cc or cv operation insteadservice manualcan be found here :https://elektrotanya.com/farnell_ls30_psu_sch.pdf/download.html#dl

author: xmetal
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: May 05, 2020, 10:34:04 am
content: I have a LS30-10. I had to replace the electrolytics a few years ago but otherwise it's been fine.