How Not To:
Shocking! Simply Shocking!

Mostly, things go fine on the workbench... but not always. Here's an example of a lab procedure gone wrong. Watch as one of our engineers demonstrates yet again the fundamental truth that electricity isn't always our friend.

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Apps Lab Tips and Techniques:
Bringing Up a Power Supply for the First Time: the Right Way

See how to bring up a power supply the first time for testing. This episode shows what to expect from a supply that is operating correctly and what to look for in the drain voltage and current waveforms .  

If you're having problems getting a power supply up and running, you might check out this episode.

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Fault Finding: Reversed Bridge Diode

Why does my input fuse blow every time I apply AC?  Although that's a seemingly simple problem, finding it can be frustrating unless you know what to look for.

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Apps Lab Tips and Tricks:
Estimating Transformer Primary Inductance

Not every engineer has access to an LCR meter or impedance analyzer. This tip shows a practical way to estimate the value of the primary inductance using an oscilloscope and current probe.  The results are surprisingly good and could be considered more accurate than measuring out of circuit!

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Apps Lab Tips and Tricks:
Estimating Transformer Parasitics Without an Impedance Analyzer

Here's another situation where an engineer might need to estimate a value without the proper equipment to hand. This tip shows a practical way to estimate the value of the transformer primary winding stray capacitance and leakage inductance using an oscilloscope and current probe.  As with estimating primary inductance, this method works well.

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Apps Lab Tips and Techniques:
Measuring Efficiency Correctly, Part I

Think you know how to accurately measure the efficiency of a supply? So did one of our new application engineers... until he actually tried it!

Watch this episode to see how to correctly and accurately measure efficiency on the bench. You may be surprised at what you learn.

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