Engineer It - How to test power supplies - Overview

TI's Bob Hanrahan kicks off with an overview on testing power supplies.

For more videos on testing power supplies, check out:

Measuring efficiency: www.ti.com/measuringefficiency
Measuring noise: www.ti.com/measuringnoise
Measuring stability: www.ti.com/measuringstability

[@TexasInstruments]

Hi Linas k, we will consider more advanced topics for future videos. KD0CAC, good point. We have edited the description to include all parts in the series. thanks!

[@foxyrollouts]

how useful then is a 100 mhz oscilloscope? Do I need the 500 Mhz u suggest?

[@TexasInstruments]

Hi Foxy: A 100MHz Bandwidth scope will not provide an accurate view of energy at or above that frequency. Power supply transient switching noise and resulting harmonics can easily be above 100MHz, for this reason I suggest a higher frequency scope for power supply design and development. If the system needs to pass emissions regulations and be mindful of RF interference sufficient scope bandwidth will be critical. If the oscilloscope use case is for basic power supply debug as might be found in a production test environment or for a hobbyist, 100MHz bandwidth may be sufficient. Keep in mind that a digital oscilloscope sample rate must also be sufficient in order to see an accurate waveform. Consider a sample rate greater than 4X bandwidth, the higher the better. -Bob

[@foxyrollouts]

Hi, thankyou Bob. I enjoy watching your videos. They say the miser pays twice. I am about to become an EE student (Mature age). I wish I had your knowledge and vast practical experience, but hopefully that will come with time and application.

[@KD0CAC]

Seems that most good multi part videos have direct links to other parts , rather than showing where to search . There were links at end of this , but again no numbering indicating there order ? If there only 4 -8 mins long just make it on part ?

[@Jas_01101]

I miss my old lab.

[@JAKOB1977]

Hmm 2:22 I'm gonna pass on that requirement.

[@frontier9]

Its just like teaching someone to suck eggs ... didn't show jack shit. I've built a power supply i'll connect a load and use various analysers ... how to do it safely? This was a dead end. Yeah, i read a ton of datasheets and designed my power supply ... too much to ask on basic tips?