Power Supply Testing
Application Notes
As regulated-power supply technology evolves, testing methods for design verification and product function require more sophisticated electronic equipment. The different power supply architectures and output combinations also dictate the need for versatile test instruments that can accommodate a broad range of specifications. As a result, one testing requirement that has been growing in importance is the method of loading the power supply under test. The need for a higher degree of load control due to test sophistication, such as the need for computer programmability, has increased the demand for electronic load instruments. The following examination of the most common power supply architectures or topologies clearly illustrates the growing need for higher performance and versatility in electronic loads and power supply test equipment.