4 TIPS TO ACHIEVE MORE WITH A

Multiple Output Power Supply

Introduction
Modern designs use multiple power buses. Digital logic, sensors, analog
circuits, and RF sections run at different voltages or benefit from separate
power. Low power designs often turn power buses off to non-essential
circuits to save energy. In this eBook you will learn four tips to use a multiple
output power supply while coordinating the outputs.
Contents
4 Tips to Achieve More with
a Multiple Output Power Supply

TIP 1 TIP 2 TIP 3 TIP 4

Measure the current Use output lists on Use overcurrent Turn on / off multiple
draw of a device with a multiple output protection to shut down power buses in a
multiple power buses power supply multiple outputs sequence
Go to Tip 1 > Go to Tip 2 > Go to Tip 3 > Go to Tip 4 >

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 TIP 1

Measure the Current Draw of

a Device with Multiple Power Buses

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TIP 1
Measure the Current Draw of a
Device with Multiple Power Buses
When designing a device, knowing the current consumed is essential for protecting
the device. As the design progresses, understanding the energy consumption
becomes critical to size the batteries and power adapters. The simplest way to
measure the current draw of a device is to use the built-in current measurement
capability of a power supply. Power supplies are available with a wide range of
measurement precision. The most common methods for measuring current rely
on the current running through a shunt resistor which generates voltages. Ohms
law determines the current based on the measured voltage and known resistance
(I=V/R). Below are some of the advantages to each method.

Power Supply’s Internal Measurement

• Simple
• Readback accuracy specified
• Reduces cabling, connections, and loops which add inductance along with noise
susceptibility Figure 1. Keysight E36312A is simultaneously displaying voltage and current on three outputs

• No voltage drop due to an external shunt resistor

External Digital Multimeter Measuring Current

• Additional resolution / specified accuracy

• Multiple built-in current shunts (ranges)
• Good for low current
• Drawbacks: Extra cabling, difficult to measure multiple power outputs, a voltage
drop (burden voltage) due to the multimeter’s shunt resistor

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External Digital Multimeter Measuring Voltage of External Shunt Resistor

• Choose best shunt resistance for an application

• Good for low current
• Can measure multiple outputs with a shunt resistor per voltage output
• Drawbacks: Difficult to determine accuracy, self-heating causes a change in
resistance, extra cabling, the need for a multiplexer to measure voltages from
each shunt resistor, the voltage drop across the shunt resistor

Zero Flux Precision Current Transducer

• Optimize configuration for current being measured

• Low noise
• No voltage drop or extra loading
• Drawback: Expense, very expensive to independently measure multiple currents.
Figure 2. Keysight E36312A is logging the current vs. time on three outputs
Regardless of the method you use to measure current, be sure to minimize cabling.
Using twisted wire reduces the inductance in the wiring. Low inductance cabling
allows the power supply to provide more consistent voltage. To simplify measuring
currents on multiple voltages — our newest triple output power supply, the E36300
Series — simultanously, displays voltage and current measurements on all three
outputs. Additionally, the E36300 Series has two shunts per output; one for
currents over 20 mA, and the other for small currents less than 20 mA.

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 TIP 2

Use Output Lists on a

Multiple Output Power Supply

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TIP 2
Use Output Lists on a
Multiple Output Power Supply
The list mode allows a power supply to act like a digital to analog converter
(DAC). When you use a power supply with multiple outputs, the lists can be
synchronized. The most common application is to ramp each of the output
voltages while making sure the DUT does not draw too much current.

Output lists are a series of steps; each step contains a voltage-current pair, a
dwell time, and optional external triggers. In normal operation, the power supply
will output the voltage for the specified time in each step. The power supply
outputs the voltage provided the load requires less current than the limit set in
the step. At the current limit, the power supply switches to constant current
mode. To learn more about constant current mode — see Tip 1, Building Your
Power Supply Skill Set (5992-2716EN.)

Figure 3. Using an output list to ramp the voltage on output one

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An external trigger can advance each step. One of the first considerations is to decide if
the power supply will pace the test or will an external instrument pace the list. List mode
works in conjunction with the digital I/O port to send and receive triggers.

By default, the output lists for each channel are independent. The list starts
independently and shares nothing in common with each other. However, many tests
require synchronization between outputs.

The three common methods to synchronize the output lists are:

1 Use a common trigger to start the lists. If the lists share a common number of steps
and dwell times, the outputs are synchronized.

2 An external trigger can advance each step. All the outputs are set to advance on the
same external trigger.
Figure 4. An output list containing eight steps
3 One of the outputs is used to advance the other outputs. For example, output one can
advance steps using the dwell times and send an external trigger with each step. The
other output lists are configured to advance on the external trigger from channel one.

When more channels are necessary, the digital I/O port can connect multiple power
supplies allowing more outputs to be synchronized. List mode has the functionality to
vary the output and create timing between outputs. If you can imagine it, you can set it
up using the list mode.

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 TIP 3

Use Overcurrent Protection

to Shut Down Multiple Outputs

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TIP 3
Use Overcurrent Protection
to Shut Down Multiple Outputs
Allowing a device to consume too much current is the most common way to
destroy a device. Power supplies have multiple safety features to prevent a device
from receiving too much current. The first most common method is to set a current
limit and have the power supply switch to the constant current mode. A second
protection method is to use overcurrent protection (OCP). When using a multiple
output power supply to provide several voltages to a device, it is often desirable to
shut down all the outputs on an overcurrent condition. Three functions — OCP, fault
output signal, and the inhibit function — work together to shut down all the outputs.

1 The OCP function is configurable with or without delay. Some devices as part
of their normal operation will draw current above the limit for a brief period. Higher
current is allowed during the OCP delay. If the overcurrent persists beyond the delay,
OPC shuts down the output and generates a fault.

2 The digital I/O port has three pins, one of which is configurable to output the fault
output signal. An external wire needs to connect the fault out signal pin to the inhibit
input pin.

3 The inhibit function is designed to shut down all the outputs based on an external
signal. It is often wired to an emergency shut off switch. In our application, the fault
output signal will generate the inhibit condition.

If more than one power supply is in use, the digital IO ports are daisy-chained
so all outputs, even across mainframes, will shut down on an overcurrent event.
Overcurrent protection, fault-out, and the inhibit function are three powerful features Figure 5. OPC shuts down channel 1 as overcurrent persists, yellow; fault out signal goes
low on OPC, red; inhibit shuts down all three channels, yellow, green, and blue
to use together to provide additional protection to a device.

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 TIP 4

Turn On/Off Multiple Power

Buses in a Sequence

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TIP 4
Turn On/Off Multiple Power
Buses in a Sequence
Many devices require multiple bias or rail voltages, and devices such as an FPGA need
the voltages to turn on and off in a set sequence. Many multiple output power supplies
offer voltage sequencing. Setting up sequencing is as simple as filling in a delay for each
output. Pressing the “All On/Off” button executes the sequences.

Two additional functions extend the capabilities of sequencing:

• The coupling function creates a subset of outputs that turn on and off with each
other. The coupled outputs use the sequencing delays. When power is cycled on
coupled channels, the outputs not coupled are not affected.
• The digital I/O port is configurable to couple outputs on multiple power supplies.
Using multiple power supplies meets the needs of applications requiring many
voltage outputs.

Each output should have a voltage and a current level configured before enabling the
power supply’s outputs. When you are setting delays, consider the output transient
Figure 6. The timing diagram at the top of the display is created from delays entered
response time. Depending on the load and the voltage setting the output can take 10 to
50 ms to reach its set voltage.

As an example, output one is used to power control logic and needs power up before
output two and three which power mechanical actuators; see Figure 6 — output two
and three are coupled. The “All on” button executes a sequence that allows the control
logic to be operational before power is sent to the actuators.

At any time, the coupled outputs that drive the actuators can be powered up or down
by pressing either of the output buttons for output two or three. When powered down, WATCH NOW
the output two delay is two seconds, and channel three by three seconds. Channel one
is not affected by the coupled channels. “All off” shuts down all the outputs following the For additional information: see Power Supply Output Sequencing video
delay sequence that ensures the actuators are powered down before the control logic.

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WANT TO LEARN MORE?
Get Our Guide on Selecting
Power Supplies Built-in Features?
Newer high performance power supplies provide convenient, built-in features
Whether you need a basic power supply or more sophisticated features for to eliminate the need for additional equipment, such as a scope, multimeter or
specific applications, this guide helps you select the power supply for your a second power supply. For example, some power supplies come with built-in
needs. Selecting a power supply with too much power can cause lots of multimeter level accuracy, or dataloggers that can capture power transients, or
headaches. The most common problems are increased output noise, an even auto-series to cover voltage current combinations that previously required
inability to set current limits, and less meter accuracy. multiple power supplies. Specialized power supplies may include sophisticated
features such as dynamic current characterization or the ability to source and

How Much Power? synchronize current.

Evaluate the voltage, current and power for your device upfront and select a
power supply that slightly exceeds the device’s limits so that you have enough
Form Factor?
power to handle transient or surge currents which are common when powering Bench power supplies should be small, but have large bright displays and front
up a device. If you are designing a low power device, use a power supply with panel connectors. System power supplies are designed to minimize rack space
a low range that can accurately measure current being drawn. but their longer depth and loud fans do not belong on a bench!

LEARN MORE COMPARE FEATURES AND PRICES Visit Comparison Webpage >

Selection Guide: Power Product Solutions

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Information is subject to change without notice. | 5992-3362EN © Keysight Technologies, 2018 | Published in USA, October 21, 2018 | keysight.com