R&S PSU number of channels needed

[salomonander]

Hey,
I often need voltages like +-15v and +-18v. Will i need to get at least a two channel psu? Or can the r&s supplies do it with one channel?

Thanks

[tautech]

Split rail designs normally need a 0V reference where a 2ch PSU in Series mode/configuration is the normal solution although a on-board voltage divider or LM78**/79** regulators are sometimes also used.

18V spit rail will require 36V or more with is a value beyond what is normally considered the 'industry safe' of ~30V.

Best versatility will be provided with a 2ch PSU providing 30V/channel.

[salomonander]

Thanks!

[pdenisowski]

Pretty much all R&S supplies can output at least 20 volts, and several go up to 32, 64, or 100 volts

https://www.rohde-schwarz.com/us/products/test-and-measurement/dc-power-supplies_64067.html

We also sell a four-quadrant SMU (the NGU) that directly supports -20 volts to +20 volts.  If you want to do it all with one channel on one supply, that would be the easiest way to do it.

[coromonadalix]

you have many who track rails IE   adjust them simultaneously ... 1 master the other channel as slave

unless you go with fixed ones too ... ?  it depends of your current requirements

0-30vdc (per channel) models are the most common, some have switches to do single/ separated, in serial or in parallel,  but  a positive and negative one at the same time,  haven't seen a lot

as Tautech wrote,  you need a ground reference and isolated supplies from each other ....  and you put them as attached image, nothing fancy,  but you need to adjust them separately ...

[salomonander]

Sorry i did not think this through  i work in pro audio and often repair gear from the early transistor age. Switching power supplies are a no go in my field. Do the oldschool R&S psus with VU meter behave more like an old fashioned transformer/regulator power supply? They would also cost a fraction on ebay.

[coromonadalix]

the less noisy psu's  are toroid based x-formers