Electronics > Beginners
Using an Electronic Load to measure a power supply with negative output
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50aprojects:
Hi,

This may be a really stupid question but how can you use an electronic load to test a power supply that has a negative output? We have a power supply with +12v, +5v, GRND, and -12v outputs and are using a BK precision 8601 electronic load to measure the current. Can we just hook up the + input to the GRND output of the power supply and the - input to the -12v for testing? Thanks!

Cerebus:
You ought to double check that the electronic load is floating with respect to earth, but I would expect it to be. A simple continuity check ought to take care of that. With that proviso, yes, you should be able to wire it up the way you suggest.
edpalmer42:
A quick check through the manual doesn't give any clues whether the negative input is grounded or not.  If it was floating I would expect to see a maximum voltage rating between the load terminals and ground.

I've seen one electronic load where a BNC monitor jack was isolated from the chassis.  The chassis was grounded and the BNC jack was tied to the negative output.  We put it on a -48V telco supply.  You know the type.  48V of big lead-acid batteries.  Short to chassis.  Hilarity ensued.  Luckily the BNC jack was the only casualty.

Move carefully.... :popcorn:
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