DC Power Supply Specification Requirements
If you own an automated test system for electronic modules or circuit boards, you will need one or more power systems. A custom power system is not only safer, it is also more efficient and delivers optimum results. So rather than modifying your system for the power supply you have it the other way around.
The power supply stimulates the electronic circuitry of the device under test. So the device under test determines the type of power supply required. Most embedded engineers think they are familiar with power supplies but they may be mistaken.
Power supplies are supposed to be simple because they are one task, DC device that has to output a given voltage. But there is more to it than this. Time, human resource and cost limitations will prevent the listing of all aspects of a power supply. With a custom power supply, you don’t have this problem.
Whatever your source of power, your most important task is to ensure you are able to energize the DUT (device under test). It may seem obvious but did you know power supplies differ in their power envelopes? Based on this differentiation, there are many types of power supplies.
Another problem is noise. If you are using a circuit with a very low voltage or circuits that measure low voltages, noise from external sources can be a problem. The power supply is itself a source of noise. A custom power supply will factor this in and take adequate safeguards.
