Once defective parts have already been replaced, if at all possible take away th e normal load from the

supply when you have maybe not already done so in case it decides to place exorbitant voltage on its outputs and replace with a dummy loa d. For a multiple output supply, the most crucial output to truly have a load on is the one which can be used for regulation however, many modest load on all of the outputs is recommended. You will be able to determine an appropriate value by thinking about the application. For something similar to a VCR, a couple of h undred mA on the primary output is most likely enough. This could require someth ing similar to a 25 ohm 2 W resistor for a 5 or 6 volt output or 50 ohm 5 W resi stor for a 12 volt output (based on which will be the main output). For a PC pow er, a few amps might be needed a two or three ohm 15 W resistor on the +5 output. The minimum load may also be indicated on the specification sticker. Regarding a TELEVISION or monitor, disconnecting force might not be possible (or at the ver y least, easy). If available, make use of a Variac to create up the input voltage slowly while o bserving the primary output. You need to see something at about 50% of normal in put voltage 50 or 60 V for an ordinary 115 VAC supply. With a little load, the out put should quickly reach and sometimes even exceed its normal value. Regulation at really low line voltage might be remote this could be normal. Just make certain you re using dummy loads so that your equipment can not be damaged. Note: Some SMPS designs require capacity to be reproduced immediately to supply the startup voltage to the controller. If this is actually the case with yours, it s not going to be possible to create up the voltage slowly (if you don t power that hip separately. So, if nothing happens when carrying this out, do not panic it mig ht be an element, not really a bug.: )#) It will be possible to operate the syst em significantly paid down line voltage on the Variac. If you don t have a Variac, put a lamp in series with the line (this really is desir able regardless). Make use of a 100 W bulb for a TELEVISION or PC, 40 W for a VC R typical. The lamp should limit the present to a non-destructive value long eno ugh to find out whether every thing is O.K.. It might maybe not permit normal op eration under full load, however. When power is first applied, the lamp will fla sh shortly but might just hardly be glowing when the output has stabilized. If i t s fairly bright continuously, there s likely still an issue in the supply. Begin to s e the section: The series lamp trick. An individual will be finished, save your valuable schematic and notes for futur e years. For instance, multiple types of VCRs even from different manufacturers make use of the same basic design, maybe even the same supply. Below free smps repair guide diagram, schematics and picture: Stability Power Supply Instability Why switching-mode power supplies are so difficult to stabilize and how to keep them from oscillating in factory and field. Chaos Ancient god of the shapeless void that preceded the creation of the earth -- who sometimes brings grief to power supply designers. Input Filter Interaction The EMI specialists once said adding an EMI filter could not cause a power suppl y to go unstable. They were wrong, it can, and quite frequently does. Power Supply Entrainment Switching frequency latching onto a variable load or noise frequency, often with detrimental results. Emitter and Source Follower Oscillations High frequency oscillations of power bipolar and power MOSFET transistors in fol lower circuits. You want to get rid of them before stabilizing the main loops. Controllability Current-Limit Latchup Powering a switching-mode power supply from a current-limited source can cause p roblems. This one catches many new power supply designers.

Solar-Array Latchup Current-limit latchup problems can get quite subtle. Controllability in Power Supplies Discussion of ways power supplies get into modes they can't get out of, such as the start-up problem with no external supplies, latchup in overcurrent protectio n circuits, SCR type latchup, etc. Reliability Underestimating Complexity of Power Supply Design The sure path to schedule slips, cost overruns, and poor field reliability. Low-Line Overstress Why you never want to bring the input voltage up slowly on a new breadboard. Or conversely, why you want cycle-by-cycle current limit from the start. Output Filter Overshoot How you too can blow out every circuit in the system. Explaining how you allowed this to happen to your management or customer is not fun. Junction-Path Shorts Unless you have some old design manuals, you will only learn about this here. Un less you understand it, field reliability of your circuits will mostly be luck. MOSFET Runaway Everyone knows bipolar junction transistors can exhibit thermal runaway, but the y once said power MOSFETs could not. Wrong again. Design Review You need it. Here is a cost-effective approach. Efficiency Capacitor Energy Loss Since everyone knows this, how come it catches design engineers unaware time aft er time. Power Management Power Supply Sequencing OK in a perfect world, but what happens when different circuits need different s equencing, the turn-on is non-monotonic, a fuse blows, etc.? Components Transformer Saturation Excessive volt-seconds or volt-second unbalance can cause transformers to satura te causing transistor failure and other effects. Electromagnetic Compatibility Several subjects. Radiation Environment Power MOSFET Single Event Burnout Most know that power MOSFETs can be destroyed by single event burnout (SEB) and single event gate rupture (SEGR) induced by cosmic rays in space. But they may n ot know that cosmic rays are also a concern in avionics and sea level applicatio ns. And other devices are also susceptible -- including bipolar junction transis tors (BJT), insulated gate bipolar transistors (IGBT), thyristors, high voltage diodes, small signal epitaxial npn BJTs, and CMOS PWM controllers and drivers. Layout Electromigration Depletions Heavy currents can erode printed circuit traces. Power Device Solder Joints Large leads on devices such as magnetics and power resistors can "walk" out of s older joints and cause open circuits. Ground Planes Use ground planes in power supply layout with caution. Skills Problem Solving The theoretical basis of the problem, relevance, solvability, solution approach used in this website. The unlinked topics above are works in progress. If you have a particular intere st in one the unlinked topics and want me to put it at the head of the list, sen d me an email or phone me. Contact Information

Home Map Next Introduction to Power Supply Design What is a switching-mode power supply? The design problem Scope Tutorial goals Relevant off-site links Simple Dissipative Power Supply Topologies Dissipative Power Supplies Series Regulator Power Supply Shunt Regulator Power Supply Implications of Power Loss Simple Switching Power Supply Topologies Switching-Mode Power Supplies Heater Switched Capacitor Converter Switched Inductor Converter Buck Converter