Every Component of a Linear Power Supply Explained (while building one)

[@bradley9856]

Very interesting, you've somehow managed to get electrical engineering into my thick mechanical engineering skull with these videos

[@rowanballinger3690]

I am the opposite I find mechanical engineering so confusing and amazed how you make gears and leavers work especially when small and complex. But I look at electrical thing I get it. I’m a plumber but love electronics, but struggle with mechanical stuff. I think we all just have our brains wired a certain way

[@jimmy_jamesjams_a_lot4171]

Me too, until I stumbled upon a woodworker who’s channel is called JSK projects, I’ve been learning so so many mechanical design points ever since.

[@Iamanidiot-v6i]

You can’t learn both?

[@rickhunt3183]

A lot of EE's wish they could do your type of work too. You bring ideas to life. We just add the sensors and actuators. We can't draw anything but a schematic, and we're always using templates if we're going old school, however it's common for us to draw free hand on a napkin. Thats often done over a beer or two or six or twelve.

[@Steve-f7t]

Ham radio people, pay attention

[@Derlis_Jara]

Don't stop doing this type of videos.

[@electrarc240]

Don't worry I am not going anywhere! (I hope)

[@jvanweeghel]

I agree. I am taking electronics as part of my electrician training and you explained it better than my instructor.

[@evanmayer744]

Holy cow, so this is what they mean by "KZbin University"! Please keep making videos like this! Your ability to explain complex topics through the lens of real-world practicality is extraordinary. Not one concept in this video feels arbitrary, and that's a massive achievement given the topic at hand - so refreshing!

[@eitantal726]

These are complementary. You should still go to University if you can, and still watch those videos if you do.

[@JeffGeerling]

You've somehow made power supply design less of a "voodoo magic" and just "dark arts". I'm subscribed and can't wait to see what other explainers you can illustrate so clearly!

[@electrarc240]

Wow, thanks a lot Jeff!

[@PhaTs00p]

Ok, now I know why I suddenly got this channel recommended

[@Alchemetica]

A first-class demonstration of a linear power supply. By explaining the function of components and why using them achieves an efficient and constant DC output. Plus their relationship to the complete circuit diagram. Thank you for the video.

[@lucabarbolovici4974]

Awhh no goodnight :(

[@jespersoerensen8552]

I have taken courses in feedback control and power electronics, but I never fully appreciated the awesomeness of these open and closed-loop regulators until now. Thanks for sharing!

[@electrarc240]

Yeah that closed loop was so perfect I was smiling the rest of the day :D

[@anexoworkshop]

You do go the extra length teaching electronics, and I highly appreciate that. As mentioned below, the individual PCBs move was genius, please keep'em coming. Kudos from Brazil.

[@electrarc240]

Thank you very much! Will do 😉

[@LudoTitan4]

This video is revealing the secret of any kind of power supply in every device. This is a gem of Basics of electronics.

[@Wil_Bloodworth]

Your videos could not be more perfect! They’re extraordinary! The Lego-style explanations are brilliant. Side note: it would have been really nice to have mentioned possibly needing in inrush current limiter to prevent smoking the rectifier diodes when your smoothing capacitor gets “too big”. So looking forward to more of your content! Keep up the great work.

[@electrarc240]

Yes that's a good one I didn't think of! Thanks :)

[@paulchamberlain7942]

Speaking of Lego style, mad props to China for making a Lego brick out of every conceivable electronic functional unit in a way the West never provided and possibly never would have provided, to keep people as foolable as possible. (Like it does with news and other information)

[@Lightning_Mike]

@@paulchamberlain7942 Dude, I have German power blocks to build your own SMPSs at my university. China is just cheaper.

[@Gersberms]

Beautiful. "Voltage times current is power, so why isn't it power?" is such a fundamental question for people to learn.

[@paulchamberlain7942]

Especially in these times of pushing 'smart' meters right?

[@Nipc855]

You have brought electronics to the grass root. Thanks a million

[@Matey-850cc]

Excellent introduction for the beginner. Thank you for not overwhelming new students with all the peripherals that go along with more the complex power supply. Perfect!

[@electrarc240]

Thank you very much!! It is sometimes a hard balance to strike

[@freednighthawk]

Yes, a power supply series should be a thing ,hopefully with a video on boost/buck converters.

[@electrarc240]

Coming soon (possibly next video). I already have what I hope is a really nice way to explain the three fundamental converter topologies. But I am busy with work and have a long term project I need to work on so may be a month or two I'm afraid.

[@sanbell6951]

This is the most underrated and wonderfully done video on the internet.

[@abid583ind]

15 years after I my electronics engineering, today I very clearly understood the 3 point output is just a feature but also a hack to reduce the diode forward drop loss...... Absolutely fantastic explanation

[@bennetting1609]

Another brilliant video, hoping this entry of the 'Every Component of a ...' does as well as your last!

[@electrarc240]

So am I hehe

[@SimonHein-s5n]

This had got to be one of the most fun and interesting way to demonstrate how a linear power supply works.

[@icefire5555]

I love how the circuits are broken out into each component to make it easier to understand!

[@c1ph3rpunk]

The relationship between primary and secondary voltages in a transformer is certainly more than meets the eye. Thank you, thank you, I’ll be here all night. As smooth as his rizz. 😂😂

[@electrarc240]

😏

[@todorkolev7565]

WOW! I am a 40 year old studying electricity/electronics for the magic that it is. I am not ready to talk about transformers yet (still studying what is actually Flux) but this video gives me something to look forward to! I would like to play with power electronics but probably do miniature learning circuits, using human-safe batteries, not mains, to create a "demo AC" and then I am thinking I'd wind my own transformers to experiment and truly understand the effects (as far as we can understand them). Thank you so much - and if you are doing live courses (in person or streaming), I would happily enroll if the price is right :)

[@drinkintea1572]

SMPS: IM FAST AF BOY LPS: transformor

[@sharkbaitsurfer]

One of the best teachers on youtube and being an excellent teacher is the highest accolade I can bestow because my teachers have been pivotally important, and positive influences throughout my entire life. SUBSCRIBED!

[@yevgennegvey4021]

If i'm electrical engineer with 6 years of experience and i still learned something new from this video, does it mean that im bad or is it just that this video is so amazing?

[@moss-ccw7971]

If you're a beginner or have been around a while, (and need a refresher ) this is the best explanation of a linear power supply that I've ever seen or heard. I'll be sending traffic to your channel.

[@ae6850]

I can’t leave your site without expressing my appreciation to your thoughtful efforts and brilliance in explaining technical matters.

[@luisalves9738]

Wow, we must protect this channel at all costs!

[@theantipope4354]

SO nostalgic! I was building & designing linear PSUs as a teen, starting back in the early 80s. I built SO MANY 5V/5A PSUs for bareboard Ohio Scientific Superboards, which were about the cheapest 6502 based systems you could buy at the time.

[@wirapui]

never watch someone explain so completely before, but you

[@paulchamberlain7942]

Brilliant, this video *is* the difference between the primary motivation being to educate the viewer, and the primary motivation being to impress the viewer. I always ask the question of a video, is this guy just showing off, or is he 'spilling the beans' ? This is bean spilling at it's very finest, fantastic! Therefore, many thanks, much appreciated, and in addition, you have made the world a better place :)

[@johncitizen3361]

Fantastic tutorial on linear power supplies. I grew up when almost every appliance used a linear supply with discrete through hole components, there was even still a fair bit of vacuum tube tech kicking around in the eighties. It made things pretty easy to understand and work on, although you had to be careful working on things like CRTs while powered up so if you were serious about poking around in stuff an isolation transformer was often the second project you built after a linear bench supply to reduce the risks a little.

[@TheMasonX23]

Incredible video! I've learned everything I know about software and hardware from KZbin, and this is definitely among the best examples of what educational content on the platform should strive to be. Keep making cool stuff and putting it on the internet, you're changing lives man! Also, was not expecting the "as smooth as my rizz" line, but as an out of touch dad who enjoys embarrassing my daughter, I loved this!

[@electrarc240]

It just came out unplanned haha. Maybe if I say it enough it will be true!

[@muhammadaleemadil]

you deserve an award for this demonstration. Exceptional video, thanks.

[@danzydan2479]

Took me back some 30 years ago when I was in trade school learning basic electronics. Good content.

[@MuhammadSalman-gv6mx]

Thank you so much. I spent 4 years in university and wasted, but with a comprehensive video ❤ Subscribed your channel.

[@luckyzeyan5391]

Ur such a good teacher..... im into electronics repair this days and u have cleared my doubts thoroughly on power supply ❤

[@peerlessrecords6236]

this is youtube at it's best! randomly stumbled upon this video and even though i'm +20y in the business I found this modular system very cool and probably very easy to understand for beginners. Choosing the right video-thumbnail definitely adds up. Keep it going! watched til the end. You're an amazing teacher, I couldn't teach like that. Respect!

[@LionAhmmed]

Great lesson

[@LyonsDenFarm]

Years of interest in the field just to finally understand circuits are basically jumbled in a non linear compact cluster or they get put in a straight line to actually make arithmetic sense. Where has this been my entire college education. This put half of my studies into one episode and actually made enough sense.

[@thomasherbig]

Absolutely amazing explanation! I have built power supplies before, but have never seen such a clean explanation. Kudos! You have earned another subscriber

[@Michel-nb7ob]

The best explanation ever ! Thank's so much ! I want more !

[@JeanArenas-d6c]

You are a skilled instructor and the quality of explanation, with step-by-step demonstration, is top notch. Thanks for your content.

[@vipulsawant2]

I studied linear rectifiers almost 23 years ago, this is exactly how i was taught in my polytechnic. Nicely explained without any complicated math involved, outstanding video!

[@micahsquires5312]

This is a phenomenal video. Your breakdown and explanation of the components and principles along with the visuals is so, so good. This was my first video, but you’ve definitely earned a subscriber. I wish there had been explanations this good 35 years ago when I was trying to get an EE degree.

[@hangdog242]

This is a perfect way of teaching. I appreciate the time, thought and effort you put into making this video. Please continue the great work. Thank you very much.

[@tushar8133]

I could not have gained this detailed knowledge in my next 10 years, what you have shared with the world now ❤

[@olhoTron]

17:07 *FULL BRIDGE RECTIFIER*

[@marekmarecki7065]

this should be a meme for engineering

[@wipoute]

​@@marekmarecki7065 it is already

[@eduardoalcantarajr3668]

blame this on ELECTROBOOM, LOL

[@averagegigachad795]

Very well done and easy to follow video, it will help many people

[@electrarc240]

Thank you!

[@sstone2134]

These videos remind me about how my late grandpa told me about basics of how electronics work when I was little! We used to desolder all components from old & broken home appliances with a monstrous USSR made soldering iron together, RIP old man...

[@KJFMZ]

Where were you a year ago when I was trying to piece this info together for myself? Seriously, these videos are amazing and will absolutely be a boon to the next generation of EEs. Kudos.

[@csconnor5160]

I was pleasantly surprised by how easily you explained transformers. In both my Physics 2 and linear electric circuits courses the information I retained about transformers is v2/v1 = n2/n1 and v2/m = v1/L. Thanks for the refresher!

[@t33th4n]

I have given "great" and "nice" reviews on other describing videos, but THIS. Masterpiece.

[@ArieAGinting]

a video that even someone who doesn't study electronics can understand... you deserve a lot of Subs!!

[@Gregorius421]

This is how physics classes should be conducted. Very educational.

[@FlammableElectronics]

This guy needs more views fr, the best video explaining these in detail of every single minute thing i have watched! Hats off man

[@rickhunt3183]

This is really a well thought out and delivered presentation. Most EE's in the US couldn't do this unless they are an instructor. We're taught that English is good but engineering is gooder.

[@kebugcheck]

Beautifully done.

[@Derlis_Jara]

Beautiful... I'm so happy I found your channel.

[@butwhytho6522]

Nicely explained and shown. I appreciated that you highlighted the parts of the circuit diagram that you were simultaneously indicating.

[@OpOlHead]

This type of modular approach is fantastic. I’ve been at this for a little under 2 years and am glad to have found your channel.

[@al3xf103]

Watched all the way through. The kind of video that isn't too long at over half an hour but just right in that any shorter and I feel like something somewhere would have been rushed. Looking forward to exploring your channel's other videos.

[@mkepler5861]

thank you for teaching me about the closed loop regulator, I had never heard of it thanks!!!

[@adrianrawlings2470]

Congratulations, you have done a brilliant job in all regards. Your explanations are technically sufficient without being overwhelming. The design of your components provides a visually appealing demonstration without the clutter of a breadboard.

[@electrarc240]

Thanks! I agree, breadboards are great for prototyping and are understandable if you’re the person who build the circuit but trying to work out someone else’s circuit on a breadboard is so painful lol

[@azimalif266]

This should be standard for schools. I'm subbing.👍

[@dan7212]

Love your videos. Very informative and easy to learn. Thank you for explaining the importance of power supply isolation.

[@ProJektorish]

Everytime I watch this, I learn something new.

[@FlippinFunFlips]

I've been slowly getting g the urge to get back into Electronics, and finding your channel has definitely sealed that deal. Winter projects coming up!

[@electrarc240]

Amazing!

[@billiesmalls]

I love your way of explaining this and especially breaking down the components into their own discrete module and plugin them in as you go. Keep it up mate.

[@MrCrankyface]

These explanation videos are absolutely amazing, thank you for sharing!

[@patrikstaron]

Very good explanation. The one thing I would definitely include is that linear regulator works by dumping the voltage away with current as heat, making it way less efficient as the difference between input and output raises.

[@OrnsteinTheLeon]

This was my intro to electronics class, but you did it in thirty minutes. AND it made more sense 😂

[@NikulPadhya]

This video actually forced me to click subscribe. Brilliant demonstration.

[@jimmy_jamesjams_a_lot4171]

YES! I love how you’ve made your little colored ‘plug and play component’ boards with the labels, and the two leads jumping between them!! The educational toy (that is now owned by the company that builds another other educational product called Sphero) called LittleBits use basically the same format as your boards, only, the contacts are by way of tiny neodymium magnets with a tiny spring behind them. Those connectors are basically the only proprietary item on their product, and I always saw them as a complete mistake in their design. Your idea with the pin headers would have made for far better LittleBits, and I was on my way to desolder their magnetic contacts to implement your idea, until I was ravaging the poor copper traces on the FR4 boards enough to prove the endeavor too detrimental to carry on with. And then, besides the two pins, they made a third pin that carries (or not) a small analog signal voltage anywhere between 0 and ~5 volts. And the voltage is generally powered by USB or a 9-volt battery. I had thought of adding the option for bipolar power and signal, my indecisiveness took hold and killed the plans. I LOVE YOUR LECTURE and how you’ve really made public what I presume are details that once bothered or troubled you or left you with specific questions. By defining RMS, VA, power and current as it relates to those hardware specifications tables that dictate to us the standards that I take for granted. I’m gonna watch your channel, as obviously you’re very well educated and electronics is something you value and find to be genuinely captivating. Thanks for making this just the way you did, and for sharing your plug and play boards!

[@electrarc240]

Ah I have a Sphero! LittleBits sounds interesting but it seems as you say these companies cannot help but make a proprietary system which is a bit crap. Probably much safer than mine with mains on a 0.1" header haha

[@xFlow150]

Excellent video! I enjoyed the way you explained every component and its function in the circuit. I also appreciate that you show schematics of your circuits, because sometimes that is forgotten. One thing that you might be able to do an indepth video about is how to choose a transformer. I've always found it complicated due to real and reactive power and how it impacts the way the transformer handles itself in a circuit.

[@electrarc240]

Yes I was considering separating the transformer explanation into its own video because of the complexity, and there is certainly still plenty to go over with them. So maybe I will do that at some point

[@pboston6RR]

Excellent! I’m self taught in electronics and have been using voltage regulators for years with my Arduino work. Now I understand what makes it “tick”. Thanks a LOT!

[@soulshinobi]

Incredibly informative with the step-by-step of what problem each component is solving.

[@lalsinghtyagi8135]

You cannot be thanked in words. I wish I could donate something. The least one can do is subscribe and like.

[@johnmcauliffe8824]

Youve done well to earn a subscription from me. I do want to note that linear power supplies are still commonly used and often preferred in amateur radio and other applications that use shortwave frequencies because of the possibility of poorly designed switching power supplies to create RFI.

[@electrarc240]

The black one I showed is actually a ham one! And yeah I can imagine you guys don’t want to be anywhere near a switcher lol

[@vadymvv]

I didn't know about two diod scheme. Nice and comprehensive presentation!

[@mikeyjohnson5888]

While the electrical engineering side of this video is why I stayed, the PCB design for each of the components, is just *Mwah* perfect. The simple and clean layouts make me feel inadequate.

[@ClintSatterwhite]

Friggin amazing explanation! Thank you so much for this series of videos. As someone that has dabbled with electronics for years, I have a much better understanding now. Also, I about fell out with the "as smooth as my rizz". Awesome! :D

[@electrarc240]

Haha glad to hear!

[@stevejelly2782]

man i feel so good when youtube suggests random vids like this, keep up buddy

[@greganikin7003]

Thank you for this incredible video! This is amazing yet so simple to understand! Now i know why i have components in power amp in such order and what is going on in that chain when it’s on. Incredible job to make people little bit more educated!

[@jlucasound]

This is so fascinatingly boring. I LOVE It! I am learning. And I am over 60. You are great at explaining it. Thank You. I think the "boredom" comes from my being "weak" in math. If I apply myself, I eventually get it. At least that was the conclusion my parents and teachers reached. 🤣😂 Keep Up the good work! Definitely Subbed!! 👍⚡💡🔊📻

[@BuriBuriZ]

your view dont do you justice, you must have a tons more of view. Very nice video explaining. Thanks

[@spacewolfjr]

You seem like a man I could be a best friend with!

[@petestamm5996]

Simply brilliant, one of the best and most interesting videos I have ever seen. Hope you continue adding more to help everyone, but especially those like me who struggle to understand the mysterious world o electronics. Many thanks.

[@danbrit9848]

I love the video... quick idea...if your making boards like this yourself..add arrows on silkscreens to show the way it all connect on the board

[@S21JDR]

Really interesting way of teaching a complex subject like this, really liked the approach ❤

[@rtronicslab1253]

bro single handedly explained my electrical engineering degree's basics... within in half an hour....

[@shinrakishitani1079]

I'm glad the gloves confirmed that you find that kind of switch just as sketch on the 240 side as I do XD

[@rastyisanerd3686]

This is such a high quality video! Very informative and compact, explained everything without wasting time. Please keep making videos!

[@naveentechs]

This is simply amazing, could you do the same for switch mode power supply please, I know you already made a video on it but this method of building in real time and explaining is simply unmatched, once again thank you so much for make quality content like this.❤

[@electrarc240]

It is much harder to do something like this for a switching converter because they are much more sensitive to the parasitic that are introduced in the connections. But I will be doing things like this again

[@iam_muni_baa]

If this one came earlier in 2017, may be I don't need to write the subject twice 😅. Finally fully understand thanks for the amazing explanation.

[@anurosmatus]

Awesome! Did not know the operating process of the closed loop regulator! Brilliant!

[@TheAfricanGarage]

Absolutely Brilliant

[@timcallinan]

I've been teaching electronics to people for 20 years..This is something I'm very passionate about also. I can tell you are probably the best electronic teacher I've seen. Far better than me but that's ok. I wish you could do some basic RF, radio stuff is always difficult to understand. Also more lessons in KicAd please. I'll be honest tho the decimal counter could be a little abstract for my students. Are you a teacher or lecturer?

[@electrarc240]

Wow thanks! I hope to be a teacher one day but I still have a year and a half of my undergrad to go so this is the closest I can get for now. I may do more kicad content at some point but I’m afraid RF is very unlikely as it’s really not my specialty so I’m not sure I’d be comfortable teaching it without lots of research which I don’t have time for currently. Maybe one day though!

[@Nickjustdabs]

I love you for making a video like this❤ i literally been watching vids on how to make my own power supply cuz I don’t wanna pay that much for a good one and I’ll need to know for future projects I’m learning up to, chat gpt helped most but you made it even more simple you told us EVERY SINGLE DETAIL. And In a way ANYone will understand, ur rly good at this bro!

[@electrarc240]

Thanks!!

[@brightonsikarskie8372]

Thank you so much, I have been waiting for this for so long!!!! You are so good at explaining things!

[@weemanling]

What an amazing video. Wish I was taught this stuff in this way back in school 20 years ago.

[@ecurepairing2545]

Wooow what a great lecture ... I want this type of theory in last five years but can't find but today i m so happy thank u so much sir