Need Help with Power Supply!

[arnikefi]

I want to test the current capacity of some exotic wire materials.
I would like to know if I can put a current through a 6" long piece of wire using a dc power supply.
I want to increase the current and take some temperature measurements as I do this.
I have not used a power supply before but I have seen somebody doing it and I am sure that all they had was the power supply and the wire and a method of connection.

Thank You.

 

[Reloadron]

Exactly what type power supply do you have? Can you adjust the current output with the power supply? Yes, you can pass a current through a wire sample and measure the heating effect but the supply needs to be able to deliver enough current.

Ron

 

[MikeMl]

How much current?

Do you have a current-limited power supply **broken link removed**?

 

[arnikefi]

My power supply is a BK Precision Model 1760A
I think the current is limited to 6 amps - but the wire I want to test only needs to take 5 amps without getting too hot.

 

[Reloadron]

If this power supply is what you have it is a triple output supply with outputs A and B being 0 to 30 Volts and controlled current 0.1 amp to 2 amps. The C output is 4 to 6.5 volts 0 to 5 amps but does not allow current adjust. Therefore it won't quite work for your intended application / test. However:

These B+K Precision Triple Output DC Power Supplies are high
quality, general purpose dc power sources. They provide two “main”
supplies with a 0-30V (0-35V model 1761) volt dc output and a “third”
output with a 4-6.5A (2-6.5A model 1761) volt dc output. The “main”
V supplies are adjustable with both coarse and fine voltage controls for
precise settability and are capable of current output of 0-2 (0-3 model
1761) amps. The “third” supply has a current output of 0-5 amps,
allowing it to handle extensive digital logic circuitry. Two large panel--
mounted LED meter displays can monitor either the output current or
output voltage of each supply.
The two “main” volt supplies can be operated independently or in
one of two tracking modes. In the series tracking mode, the “B” Supply
tracks from 5% to 100% of the voltage of the “A” Supply. Maximum
current setting of the two supplies can still be set independently when
in the series tracking operating mode. In the series tracking mode the
“A” and “B” supplies are connected in series, allowing a single output
of 0-60 (0-70 model 1761) V at up to 2 (3 model 1761) amps. In the
parallel tracking mode, the two supplies are connected together in
parallel, allowing a single 0-30 (0-35 model 1761) V output at up to 4
(6 model 1761) amps.

You could parallel A & B in a tracking mode and get 0 to 30 volts and 4 amps.

Ron