A reliable bench power supply is indispensable for anyone involved in electronics, whether you’re building circuits from scratch or testing components.
It’s a tool that gives you the power to test and experiment, but with the right model, it can also save you time and money by preventing mishaps and providing the precision you need.
Choosing the right one can feel overwhelming, especially with so many available. Here’s how to narrow down your options.
Figure out your power, voltage and current needs
Your first priority should be understanding your voltage and current requirements. If you’re working with test equipment or testing circuits, you must know how much power each component needs. Overestimating these values could result in wasted resources, while underestimating them can lead to instability or even damage to the equipment. A supply that offers variable voltage and current will be ideal. Start by considering the highest voltage and current your most demanding project requires.
If you’re working with higher-powered devices, like motors or industrial systems, you might need a supply capable of providing higher currents or voltages. Select a model that offers flexibility to adjust these settings, ensuring you can accommodate a variety of future projects.
Consider the output quality
A stable and clean output is crucial for the proper functioning of your projects, particularly when testing sensitive circuits. Poor-quality power supplies can introduce noise or voltage fluctuations that lead to inaccurate measurements, or worse, cause malfunctions in your devices.
Look for a power supply that offers good regulation and low ripple. Regulation refers to how well the output voltage remains steady under varying load conditions, while ripple is a measure of unwanted variations in the output.
A high-quality bench power supply will keep these to a minimum, ensuring a smooth and reliable output that won’t interfere with your tests. If your work involves particularly delicate components, such as analogue devices or precision circuits, it’s worth investing in a supply with particularly low ripple.
Select features to improve safety
Safety should never be overlooked when working with electrical equipment. Look for models that incorporate built-in protections such as overcurrent, overvoltage, and thermal shutdown. These features will safeguard both your power supply and your projects, preventing them from being damaged by unexpected surges or faults.
It’s also important to consider the ease of monitoring and controlling the output. A display that shows real-time data like voltage, current, and power can be invaluable for quickly identifying any problems or discrepancies. Additionally, ensure the supply has a reliable and easy-to-access shutdown feature in case of emergencies.
Think about long-term viability
A power supply is an investment, so you want to ensure it will serve you well over time. Consider future-proofing your purchase by selecting a model that offers room to grow with your needs.
This might mean choosing a unit with higher power capabilities than your current project demands or opting for a model that includes additional features, such as multiple outputs or programmable settings.
Also, consider the quality of the brand. Well-established manufacturers tend to offer better durability and support, with firmware updates or easily accessible replacement parts, ensuring your equipment doesn’t become obsolete too soon. Investing in a higher-quality, slightly more expensive model may save you from needing to replace it as your projects scale up.