Choosing the Right Bench Power Supply

This page of the equipments section of Test and Measurement World covers Benchtop Power Supplies. This page will guide you to choose the right Bench Power Supply. It mentions popular vendors of Benchtop Power Supplies.

Benchtop Power Supply Features

The following features need to be considered for selecting the right Bench Power Supply for your needs:

• Resolution: The smallest change in voltage/current that can be set on the power supply.
• Accuracy: A measure of how close the actual measurement is with respect to the theoretical one. Output uncertainty here depends on Digital to Analog Conversion errors.
• Readback accuracy: A measure of how close the internal measurement is with respect to the theoretical output value.
• Readback resolution: The smallest change in the internal measurement of voltage/current which can be distinguished by the power supply.
• Stability: The performance of the power supply varies due to aging. In order to maintain stability, regular calibration and verification are required.
• Temperature stability: The accuracy of the power supply is usually specified in terms of a temperature range. This is due to the fact that performance varies based on temperature.
• Load regulation: A measure of the capability of the power supply’s output voltage/current to remain constant during variations in load changes. It is expressed as +/- (% of setting + offset).
• Line regulation: A measure of the capability of the power supply’s output voltage/current to be within limits during variations in AC line changes. It is expressed as +/- (% of setting + offset).
• Ripple: Spurious AC components present on the DC voltage supply. The lower the ripple, the better the power supply. Power supplies with more ripple generate unwanted spurious frequencies.
• Transient Response: The measurement of the time required to settle for a stable DC voltage upon application of sudden changes in the load impedance and power supply settings.
• Acceptable max. noise level at output.
• Number of outputs needed.
• Interface types: IEEE-488 (or GPIB), RS232, Ethernet, USB

Bench Power Supply Vendors

The following table mentions popular vendors of Benchtop Power Supplies.

Conclusion

A benchtop power supply is an essential tool for electronics testing, prototyping, and research, providing precise voltage and current control for a wide range of applications. Whether used in laboratories, repair shops, or educational institutions, it ensures stable and reliable power delivery, protecting sensitive components from electrical damage. Its versatility, safety features, and programmability make it invaluable for engineers, technicians, and hobbyists. As technology advances, modern benchtop power supplies continue to offer improved efficiency, automation, and remote control capabilities, further enhancing their role in electrical and electronic development.