What lab. power supply to select

[Electronics4you]

Hi there,

I'm about to get me a new lab. power supply, but what are the pros and cons on a "normal" power supply and a switching power supply.

Thanks

 

[crutschow]

For a lab supply a "normal" linear supply is usually preferred since it has lower noise for powering analog circuits, even though it is less efficient. But if you are only going to power digital circuits, or the power requirements are very large, where the inefficiency of a linear supply is a problem, then you can go with a switching supply.

 

[bountyhunter]

You did not say what your volateg and current requirements are. I think a good lab supply is a 0-20V/3A supply, with two outputs so you can do dual rails. I prefer linears under 100W because of noise and EMI.

 

[Electronics4you]

I also considered the noise problem with switching supplies, but I need a "general" power supply that can also provide a lot of current to motors, so I'm going to use a transformer supply. Thanks

 

[crutschow]

I also considered the noise problem with switching supplies, but I need a "general" power supply that can also provide a lot of current to motors, so I'm going to use a transformer supply. Thanks

Both linear and switching supplies use transformers.