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Best Practices for Rack Mounting Your Power Supply

Designing a test rack layout can be a formidable task, given the multiple elements that factor into ensuring optimal safety, reliability, and performance. One of the central components you'll need to consider in your planning is the DC power supply. Here are some pivotal guidelines for this:

Figure 1: Test Rack

Weight Distribution

It is essential to ensure that the weight is evenly distributed in a test rack to maintain stability. Since power supplies are often the bulkiest components, positioning them near the bottom can decrease the center of gravity and reduce the risk of toppling over.

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Figure 2 - To achieve stability in your test system, it's ideal to position heavier equipment near the base.

Managing AC Input Power

As you determine the capacity of your AC input line, base it on the combined highest current ratings of the instruments in your setup. A power supply's AC input depends on its output load, which can vary greatly. If you're uncertain about the potential maximum load, always plan for the peak by using the maximum rated input current of the supply.

Managing Heat

Since many power supplies incorporate internal fans for cooling, it's crucial to allocate enough space for airflow for intake and exhaust. It's also wise to distance heat-sensitive devices, like DMMs, from these power supplies. Excessive heat can tamper with their accuracy.

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Figure 3: N6700 power supply module with cooling fans (back) and exhaust (front)

Avoiding Magnetic Interference

Magnetic fields generated by power supplies can also distort the readings and precision of some instruments. For instance, the internal mechanism of a voltmeter can be affected by substantial magnetic fields emanating from transformers present in power supplies. It's advisable to keep your DC supplies distanced from devices sensitive to magnetism, particularly DMMs.

Strategic Wire Routing

Power wiring can emit electrical noise, and this noise can disrupt signal-carrying wiring. Therefore, keeping the power wiring separate from the signal-wiring to prevent interference is essential.

Summary

In short, pay attention to these considerations when you put your DC power supply in a rack:

• Distribute weight properly to avoid rack instability.

• Provide adequate AC input power to avoid excessive current draw.

• Provide proper heat management to avoid excessive temperatures.

• Place instruments properly to minimize magnetic interference.

• Route wires to minimize interference.

Check out this video to watch a demonstration of how-to best rack mount the N6700C power supply. It is part of a five-segment series on Getting Started with the N6700C. Additional sections include Installing modules, how to protect your DUT, how to program the supply, and selecting the right modules for your application.

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