DC Power Supplies - Fundamental Concepts

In DC Power Supplies - Fundamental Concepts , you'll learn ...

• Process of transforming AC voltages to different levels
• Conversion from AC to DC
• Functional operation of a simple power supply
• Process and techniques for voltage regulation

Overview

Credit: 2 PDH

Length: 14 pages

This course introduces the student to the purpose, function, and elements of the ubiquitous DC (direct current) power supply. Modern electronic devices generally require low-voltage DC sources to power their circuits. Some devices use battery or even solar power, but all others need a DC power supply, typically connected to a house or office AC (alternating current) wall outlet. These include radios, stereo systems, TV, computers, and other devices which we use daily.

The discussion starts with the primary power source - the wall socket, and a brief history about AC power. Several basic power supply configurations are described to support the functional concepts introduced. Features such as voltage transformation, i.e., changing the voltage from one level to another, and regulation, i.e., maintaining a constant output voltage, are presented and basic components are described. Important issues such as cooling requirements, protection circuits, and radio-frequency interference are addressed.

An understanding of the overall operation and performance characteristics of such power supplies will aid those in other disciplines who must accommodate power supplies in the definition, layout, or packaging of electronic devices.