Well, Im just trying to figure out how every little piece of a power supply works exactly. Right now, I am curious about the term "bi-polar power supply". What little understanding I have of these is they they have both a positive polarity and a negative polarity, in addition to a ground, as compared to what I suppose would be called a "uni-polar power supply", which would presumably have only a ground and either a pos or neg.
So, both linear bench power supplies I use have both pos and neg outputs, in addition to ground, so would I be correct in assuming that those are both bi-polar?
As far as design, would, for example, my 0-36V variable power supply actually in some sense be a -18V and +18V power supply? I also have to ask at what design stage this comes about, I am thinking it begins with the transformer, but basically Id like to understand the entire design.
If my assumptions are correct, this means that on, for example, my Power Designs 3650 (0-36V), I could use the pos and ground to achieve a max output of 18V, or neg and ground for -18V. I am not entirely sure of the motivation to do such a thing but by all means Id love to learn some appropriate uses.
Thanks for teaching me
-Chris P
So, both linear bench power supplies I use have both pos and neg outputs, in addition to ground, so would I be correct in assuming that those are both bi-polar?
As far as design, would, for example, my 0-36V variable power supply actually in some sense be a -18V and +18V power supply? I also have to ask at what design stage this comes about, I am thinking it begins with the transformer, but basically Id like to understand the entire design.
If my assumptions are correct, this means that on, for example, my Power Designs 3650 (0-36V), I could use the pos and ground to achieve a max output of 18V, or neg and ground for -18V. I am not entirely sure of the motivation to do such a thing but by all means Id love to learn some appropriate uses.
Thanks for teaching me
-Chris P