Because the supplies are isolated from one another, connecting the two supplies in series works like a charm. For best results, set each supply for 50% of the total output voltage and set the current limit of each supply to the maximum that the load can safely handle.
2. Connect supplies in parallel for more output current.
You can do something similar if your application requires more than the 3 A that a single output of the XBT can provide. Instead of connecting the two supplies in series, however, you connect them in parallel. When connected this way, the XBT can supply up to 6 A at voltages up to 32 VDC. The XBT allows you to set this up via the front panel and connect to a single set of output terminals. This is more convenient than using patch cords to connect supplies in parallel and reduces the opportunity for human error.
3. Computer control for consistent ramping.
A common thing a design engineer might do with a test bench power supply is ramp up or down a supply voltage to see how a circuit or system works over a range of supply voltages. You could do this manually by simply cranking up or down the voltage control, but if you do this programmatically, you can have the supply output a ramp with a consistent slope. You might also have the computer controlling the supply monitor the circuit or system under test for proper operation, and when it detects some abnormal operation, suspend the ramp and make note of the voltage at which problems started to occur
4. Computer control for sensor simulation.
Many sensors, such as the TMP35 low-voltage temperature sensor outputs a voltage proportional to the ambient temperature. They are used in a wide variety of applications, including environmental control systems, industrial process control systems, and fire alarms. Generally, temperature sensors like this output 10 mV/°C.
To test circuits and systems that use these sensors, you can use a programmable test bench power supply to simulate the sensor. The temperature profile might be a simple ramp as in tip #3, or a more complicated temperature profile. In either case, you would use the remote control capability of the XBT supply to program the temperature profile.
These are just some of the ways that you can make your test bench power supply jump through hoops. For more information on test bench power supplies and how to use them, contact AMETEK Programmable Power. You can send e-mail to sales.ppd@ametek.com or phone 800-733-5427.