Most medium to high power AC-DC power supplies and some DC-DC converters include ‘Remote Sense’ connection points (+ve and -ve sense) that are used to tightly regulate the supply’s output voltage at the load. Since the output cables that connect a power supply’s output to its load have some resistance, as current flow increases, there is a voltage drop across the cables (I x R = Voltage Drop).

Power supply with two twisted ‘Remote Sense’ wires connected to the load

We can compensate for these unwanted voltage drop by using two remote sense wires connected from the supply to the load.

This feature is advantageous to the user, but is subject to mistakes that should be avoided to insure the proper operation of the power supply and the end-product.

Remote Sense – Mistakes & Remedies

In the following weeks, we’ll be looking into some of the common mistakes made when applying Remote Sense and how to remedy them.

In the meantime, if you have a question you’d like to ask TDK-Lambda, please feel free to use the online FAQ form and we’ll get back to you with an answer to your question as soon as possible.