Difference between revisions of "Tools/Electronics/GPR-6030D"
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| − | [[File:bench_supply.jpg| | + | [[File:bench_supply.jpg|thumb|650px|GW Instek GPR-6030D Linear DC Power Supply]] |
The GPR-6030D is a regulated DC power supply. Hacksburg's GPR-6030D is owned by a member but has no restrictions on use. | The GPR-6030D is a regulated DC power supply. Hacksburg's GPR-6030D is owned by a member but has no restrictions on use. | ||
Latest revision as of 09:26, 18 May 2022
The GPR-6030D is a regulated DC power supply. Hacksburg's GPR-6030D is owned by a member but has no restrictions on use. The supply can provide up to 180 W of output power, and has built-in overload and reverse-polarity protection. Output can be set anywhere between 0-60 V and 0-3 A using the knobs for voltage and current on the front panel.
Theory of Operation
To operate this supply, you set upper limits for both output voltage and output current. The supply initially tries to keep its output at the voltage limit, by allowing current to vary. This is called "constant voltage" (CV) operation. If the current needed to do this exceeds the current limit, then the supply operates in "constant current" (CC) mode instead. In CC mode, current is held constant by allowing voltage to vary. This supply can therefore be either a constant voltage source or a constant current source! To provide constant voltage, set the current limit higher than the current your load will draw at the intended voltage. To provide constant current, set the voltage limit higher than the voltage needed to drive that much current through the load.
Usage
To set the voltage limit, first make sure the current limit is set high enough that you're in CV mode (C.V. LED is lit), and then adjust the voltage knobs until the readout above them indicates the desired voltage. Even if nothing is connected to the supply, you'll still need to turn current knobs at least a hair above zero to put it CV mode.
To set the current limit, temporarily short the - and + terminals together with a piece of wire or (ideally) a banana plug patch cord. Make sure this conductor is large enough to safely carry the current you're dialing in. If necessary, raise the voltage limit until the supply is in CC mode, with the C.C. LED lit. Then, adjust the current knobs until the readout above them indicates the desired current.
Note: There are three terminals on this supply, +, - and GND. + and - are the positive and negative terminals between which supply current flows, and are the two terminals you normally use. GND is a direct connection to the ground prong on the wall outlet; you use this if the circuit you are powering requires a safety ground, or if you need - to be held at local ground voltage.
