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Power Supply Lower Volts Higher Amps?

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SydLynx:
Hello, everyone!

I intend to buy a double output bench-top power source.

I decided to go for a linear (safer? more long-lasting? I believe) power supply from Circuit Specialists.

They have 2 options: a linear 0-60V (0-5A), in series, which in parallel provides 0-30V (0-10A), and a linear 0-100V (0-3A), in series, which in parallel provides 0-50V (0-6A).

Which one will I need most of the two? Which one will offer me the best experience as a diy, whilst testing basic stuff etc? Do I need more voltage, or more amps?

And, whilst we're at it, could you please explain to me whether the 0-100V power supply will produce 10Amps at 30V? I know lower voltage leaves room for higher amps, but I still can't wrap my mind around the principle. In this case the 100V PS would be perfect, wouldn't it be?

Thank you!

BeBuLamar:
I don't think one would need more than 30VDC power source that often so I would choose the one with higher current.

SydLynx:
Thanks for the reply!

Therefore, judging by your choice, I shall understand that the amps specified at top voltage are the maximum amperage output at all voltages, e.g. even when I will run the PS (say, the series -50-0-+50 VDC one) at -12-0-+12VDC, or -30-0-+30VDC, it will still produce only 6A, right?

Eraldo:

--- Quote from: SydLynx on March 29, 2023, 10:26:39 am ---Thanks for the reply!

Therefore, judging by your choice, I shall understand that the amps specified at top voltage are the maximum amperage output at all voltages, e.g. even when I will run the PS (say, the series -50-0-+50 VDC one) at -12-0-+12VDC, or -30-0-+30VDC, it will still produce only 6A, right?

--- End quote ---


Yep. That's the max current the supply will be designed to handle.

Another example is a Variac (a variable ac transformer). It has a specified max power and voltage and they can give that power only when you use the maximum voltage. (Eg: 500w variac with a max output voltage of 250v. It can at most output 2A safely. But if you were to set it to 100V the output current would still be 2A since a variac reduces the out voltage by reducing the secondary windings lenth like a potentiometer. The thickness of the wire will not change while reducing the voltage and so the current handling of the transformer will be the same.)

SydLynx:
Thank you! Now I have a much better understanding of how it works, with the wire thickness example.

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