Power Supply Basics
28
Jun

Remote Sense – Common Mistakes & Remedies [part 4]

Posted by Dulcie on June 28, 2013
Posted in: Power Supply Basics

Ways to avoid cross-connection of remote sense wires

It is important to ensure the correct polarities of the power supply are use in the remote sense circuit; the +ve sense wire should connect at the load near the +ve Vload connection, and the –ve sense wire to the -ve Vload connection.

Simplified schematic of remote sense circuit with external output and sense wires

Simplified schematic of remote sense circuit with external output and sense wires

If the remote sense wires are crossed-connected (i.e. +ve sense to –Vload and –ve sense to +Vload), current will flow in the sense lines and ultimately this will burn out the internal R-sense resistors, causing the power supply to malfunction.

Typically, these internal R-sense resistors are around 10 to 100 Ohms with a maximum rating of 0.5W.

To read more about how to use the remote sense, please visit: www.emea.lambda.tdk.com/uk/faq

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.