Rich D.
Active Member
Hi folks, I designed this electronic load device to test various power supply projects I make. Before I built it and blew it up testing it, I thought I'd put it up on here and see if anybody wants to review it, find any engineering problems with it, or just generally make fun of me etc.
A couple of notes on it: The selection of components may be a little odd, but 'twas designed specifically to use components that I have already. For example, the MOSFET, op-amp, zeners, and the pot and analog meters. I plan to heatsink the hell out of the MOSFET, and it will have a small fan. I figured the resistors are overrated and can take care of themselves. Power is supplied by the power source being tested, and I do not plan on testing anything below 5 volts or above 20. I didn't bother to show the exact form of load resistors, only showing the final value and wattage. For example Rload2 will be a series of 1 ohm, 10 watt resistors.
I didn't bother to put an over-temp shutoff on it, figuring I will generally be right there and can feel if the fan exhaust is getting warm, and nothing should be designed to get so hot in the first place.
Thanks in advance for any and all feedback.
A couple of notes on it: The selection of components may be a little odd, but 'twas designed specifically to use components that I have already. For example, the MOSFET, op-amp, zeners, and the pot and analog meters. I plan to heatsink the hell out of the MOSFET, and it will have a small fan. I figured the resistors are overrated and can take care of themselves. Power is supplied by the power source being tested, and I do not plan on testing anything below 5 volts or above 20. I didn't bother to show the exact form of load resistors, only showing the final value and wattage. For example Rload2 will be a series of 1 ohm, 10 watt resistors.
I didn't bother to put an over-temp shutoff on it, figuring I will generally be right there and can feel if the fan exhaust is getting warm, and nothing should be designed to get so hot in the first place.
Thanks in advance for any and all feedback.