Brian Roth
Well-known member
Many of us prefer a "linear" power supply versus a "switcher" for audio applications, although the latter do offer some advantages, with newer designs running at frequencies well-outside the audio passband. However, that should be another thread here.
I'm a relatively newbie in this forum, but I did briefly skim the "power supply Meta" listings, but nothing jumped off the screen at me like what I want to discuss.
I have approx. 35 years of experience with linear supplies as used in pro audio gear, which would be a bazillion circuits designed by others, and a few jillion <g> power supplies that I had to concoct for my own designs.
Perhaps this has already been talked to death in other threads...tell me where, and I'll either add comments, or just shut up <g>.
In the meantime, I submit the following link. It's a scan from my 1982 National Semiconductor "Voltage Regulator Handbook", and discusses the CORE elements...power transformer, rectifiers, and "reservoir" capacitor.
(Sidebar: I found NO copyright info ANYWHERE in my paper copy ( a 200+ page book) which originally was distributed by National in 1982...I guess they were eager to share their knowledge. Hence, I don't see any reason why I can't share the document).
http://www.brianroth.com/library/national-ps-design.pdf
A couple of off-list discussions (here and elsewhere) tends to make me believe there is a lack of "the fundamentals" on this topic.
I would love to expand this discussion, and starting with the AC mains, then moving onwards.
These are a FEW topics that I *believe* that I know, and would like to discuss in depth:
I. AC Mains
A. Branch circuits
B. Proper wiring, switching, and fusing
C. Compensating for AC mains "sags"
II. Mains to power supply transformer
A. Iron core vs. torroids
B. Temperature rise in the tranny
C. Transformer regulation vs. load current
III. Rectifiers
A. Various topologies (half/fullwave, bridge)
B. Diode selection
1. PIV ratings
2. "Fast"/"soft" transfer curves
3. Forward drop, especially in low VDC supplies
C. "Specialty cases"
1. Voltage doublers/triplers/etc
2. High Voltage (tooob!!) supplies
a. Vaccum tube rectifiers for HV applications vs. solid state
IV. The "Reservoir" capacitor(s)
A. Avoiding "drop out sag" when feeding a downstream regulator
B. Best choices for component selection
1. ESR and other specs
2. Temperature ratings (sidebar: I automatically select 105 C parts)
Maybe I can "get this party started" <g> and we all end up with some wisdom.
Bri
I'm a relatively newbie in this forum, but I did briefly skim the "power supply Meta" listings, but nothing jumped off the screen at me like what I want to discuss.
I have approx. 35 years of experience with linear supplies as used in pro audio gear, which would be a bazillion circuits designed by others, and a few jillion <g> power supplies that I had to concoct for my own designs.
Perhaps this has already been talked to death in other threads...tell me where, and I'll either add comments, or just shut up <g>.
In the meantime, I submit the following link. It's a scan from my 1982 National Semiconductor "Voltage Regulator Handbook", and discusses the CORE elements...power transformer, rectifiers, and "reservoir" capacitor.
(Sidebar: I found NO copyright info ANYWHERE in my paper copy ( a 200+ page book) which originally was distributed by National in 1982...I guess they were eager to share their knowledge. Hence, I don't see any reason why I can't share the document).
http://www.brianroth.com/library/national-ps-design.pdf
A couple of off-list discussions (here and elsewhere) tends to make me believe there is a lack of "the fundamentals" on this topic.
I would love to expand this discussion, and starting with the AC mains, then moving onwards.
These are a FEW topics that I *believe* that I know, and would like to discuss in depth:
I. AC Mains
A. Branch circuits
B. Proper wiring, switching, and fusing
C. Compensating for AC mains "sags"
II. Mains to power supply transformer
A. Iron core vs. torroids
B. Temperature rise in the tranny
C. Transformer regulation vs. load current
III. Rectifiers
A. Various topologies (half/fullwave, bridge)
B. Diode selection
1. PIV ratings
2. "Fast"/"soft" transfer curves
3. Forward drop, especially in low VDC supplies
C. "Specialty cases"
1. Voltage doublers/triplers/etc
2. High Voltage (tooob!!) supplies
a. Vaccum tube rectifiers for HV applications vs. solid state
IV. The "Reservoir" capacitor(s)
A. Avoiding "drop out sag" when feeding a downstream regulator
B. Best choices for component selection
1. ESR and other specs
2. Temperature ratings (sidebar: I automatically select 105 C parts)
Maybe I can "get this party started" <g> and we all end up with some wisdom.
Bri