Power Supplies

Table of Contents

Chapter 1: Power Supplies and Power Conditioners

Topics: Power supply and power conditioner functions; DC-to-DC, AC-to-AC, AC-to-DC, and DC-to-AC power supplies; Inverter feedback circuits; Power conditioners; Safety precautions

Learning Objectives:

• Discuss the basic functions of power supplies and power conditioners.
• Describe dc-to-dc, ac-to-ac, ac-to-dc, and dc-to-ac power supplies.
• Compare the operation of transformer-driven and oscillator-driven inverters.
• Discuss the functions of filters, voltage regulators, voltage dividers, switching power supplies, and ferroresonant power supplies.
• Explain why low voltages can be dangerous.

Chapter 2: Cells and Batteries

Topics: Electrochemical cells; Primary, secondary, lead-acid, nickel-cadmium, nickel-metal-hydride, and nickel iron cells; Maintenance, hazards, and precautions; Nonchemical cells

Learning Objectives:

• Explain the difference between a battery and a cell and identify symbols for each.
• Describe the parts of an electrochemical cell.
• Compare the characteristics and uses of Leclanché, high-energy, and alkaline carbon-zinc cells.
• Discuss battery-recharging problems and explain how to check for overcharging.
• Discuss ways to maintain and dispose of chemical cells and batteries safely.
• Discuss the use of five kinds of nonchemical energy sources and recent developments in cells and batteries.

Chapter 3: Rectifiers

Topics: Diode rectifiers and ratings; Parallel and series diodes; Half-, full-wave, bridge, and three-phase rectifiers; Voltage multipliers

Learning Objectives:

• Define the term rectifier.
• Explain how to interpret diode ratings on a manufacturer's specification sheet.
• Compare the effects of connecting diodes in parallel and in series.
• Describe the operation of a silicon-controlled rectifier.
• Compare the operation of half-wave and full-wave rectifiers.
• Discuss the operation of bridge and three-phase rectifiers and explain how voltage multipliers work.

Chapter 4: Filters

Topics: Kinds of filters; Ripple; Circuit components; Bleeder resistors; Bypass filters; Input filters

Learning Objectives:

• Name several kinds of filters used in power supplies.
• Discuss the effects of ripple and describe ways ripple is measured.
• Discuss the use of capacitors, inductors, and resistors in filter circuits.
• Compare the advantages and disadvantages of capacitance, inductance, RC, and LC power supply filters.
• Explain why capacitor power supplies should include bleeder resistors.
• Discuss the uses of bypass filters and input filters.

Chapter 5: Voltage Regulators

Topics: Voltage regulators; Shunt, series, integrated circuit (IC), switching, and primary circuit regulators

Learning Objectives:

• Discuss the purposes of voltage regulators in power supplies.
• Explain the function of the control circuit and the current limiting circuit in series voltage regulators.
• Discuss the advantages of IC voltage regulators.
• Describe the operation of switching regulators and explain how it differs from that of other kinds of regulators.
• Discuss the use of SCRs and triacs in primary circuit regulators.

Chapter 6: Troubleshooting Power Supplies

Topics: General approach; Preliminary checks; Power-off, power-on tests; Output tests; Section tests; Part tests

Learning Objectives:

• Discuss at least five kinds of test equipment and tools used to troubleshoot power supplies.
• Describe the three main steps in troubleshooting a power supply.
• Describe the basic procedures for preliminary checks and power-off visual inspection and fuse tests.
• Describe the basic procedures for power-on tests and output tests.
• Explain how to perform section tests and part tests.

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