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Author Topic: learning about power supplies  (Read 2784 times)

Family Hoof

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learning about power supplies
« on: June 06, 2004, 12:39:26 AM »

I'm trying to learn more about DC power supplies for audio purposes. Specifically, a good introduction to design theory and basic troubleshooting. Can anyone recommend some resources? Websites, books? I'm skeptical of misinformation other places on the net and don't have the wherewithal to tell bad from good.

Thanks,
Jens Jungkurth

[EDIT] P.S. What's a simple way to tell when a smoothing electrolytic cap has gone bad? Aside from visible damage.
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~Jens J.

Jakob Erland

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Re: learning about power supplies
« Reply #1 on: June 06, 2004, 05:41:05 PM »

Hi Jens,

Electrolytics are checked with a

- ESR-meter (that measures electrostatic resistance)

- Capacitance meter

If they're very dead - or tantalums, sometimes an ohmmeter will find the diseased ones.

Jakob E.
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Scott Helmke (Scodiddly)

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Re: learning about power supplies
« Reply #2 on: June 06, 2004, 09:22:58 PM »

Jakob Erland wrote on Sun, 06 June 2004 22:41


Electrolytics are checked with a

- ESR-meter (that measures electrostatic resistance)




Umm, ESR means "Equivalent Series Resistance".
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Geoff_T

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Re: learning about power supplies
« Reply #3 on: June 06, 2004, 09:46:48 PM »

Hi

This'll probably produce a few chuckles... it's hardly state of art with LCD display, etc., but an eBay search on Heathkit capacitor checkers will produce something like this...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=1 504&item=5703568809&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW[/url" class="bbc_link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">

and you can see that it both measures capacitance and also tests at up to around 600 volts for leakage.

You can pick them up for peanuts and the magic eye is very cool!

Smile
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Family Hoof

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Re: learning about power supplies
« Reply #4 on: June 07, 2004, 01:44:10 PM »

Excellent info. Thanks guys! I'm all for ancient test equipment if works just as well.
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Jakob Erland

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Re: learning about power supplies
« Reply #5 on: June 08, 2004, 08:11:44 AM »

Scott Helmke wrote on Mon, 07 June 2004 02:22


Umm, ESR means "Equivalent Series Resistance".


yep, it does!

Smile

Jakob E.
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Scott Helmke (Scodiddly)

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Re: learning about power supplies
« Reply #6 on: June 08, 2004, 09:09:40 AM »

Here's the ESR meter I use:
http://www.awiz.com/cwinfo.htm

Not much higher tech than the Heathkit, but it does the all-important task of really seeing if a recap is needed or not.
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