Understanding Linear Power Supply Specifications

Understanding Linear Power Supply Specifications

Variable DC power supplies are sophisticated, accurate, electrically rugged workhorses. They must reliably deliver voltage and current that is stable, precise, and clean, no matter its load—resistive, inductive, capacitive, low impedance, high impedance, steady-state, or variable. How well the power supply fulfills this mission and where it reaches its limits are defined in its specifications. This application note provides an easy-to-understand overview of how to determine if a power supply’s specs make it a good match for a particular application. ■