Specifying High Voltage Power Supplies

When you are going to buy a power supply make sure that you check the specifications provided in the data sheet. It helps you select the right performance

For a great performance of the power supply, lot of specifications are detailed. Each one is important and has a role to play in the functioning. Sometimes one specification can outdo the other depending on the application.

Power supplies can be differentiated in two modes – linear voltage and switch mode. Both are equally used as and when required as per their characteristics.

Voltage and current specifications

Another specification that has to be considered is the output parameter i.e. it has a fixed or variable parameter. It is important to get the output parameter to be checked as it really matters in the functioning of the power supply.

If you decide to go for the fixed output parameter then you can adjust it and check whether it can be further adjusted to match the voltage required that is mentioned in the data sheet of the power supply. If you go by the variable output parameter then also it is advisable to get the range checked to avoid future hassles and smooth operation.

Voltage means current, when you are working with high voltage power supply make sure that the required level for the current has a bit of margin to avoid the inrush current. What is in-rush current? It occurs when the product is switch on / off then there is a surge of current in the capacitors so to avoid failure or any mishap we advise some margin in the output measurement.

Line regulation

High voltage power specification also lines up with a parameter called line regulation– when the line changes then there can be a very slight variation on the output parameter. The line regulation lines up with the change.

To ensure stability in the output of the voltage then it is very important to check the line regulation because then it does fall outside the required output limits. Line regulation is necessary to be added to the power supply voltage variation for the load and temperature stability.

Line regulation is measure in millivolts and can be mentioned in percentage of the output voltage. It should be minimum of 5 mV or maximum of 0.01% of the output voltage power supplies making it operational within the range.