Bench Power Supplies & Sources

This handy piece of equipment is used when a power source is required that can be set up on the workbench, with its own power cord and method of output connection. They're useful in electronics for applications such as testing circuits that need a power source at different voltages.

Variable power supplies

Bench power supplies are available in variable or fixed voltage. A variable power supply will offer the ability to adjust the output, be that voltage, resistance, current or power and is ideal where versatility is required in an application, such as circuit testing. Variable power supplies have a feature called Current Limiting so it will shut down or limit current to the maximum rating. They normally have controls to allow the change of current from zero to the specified maximum current which helps to protect components.

Linear and switching power supplies

Bench power supplies are available in two different designs:

  • Linear Power Supplies – electrical or ripple noise is lower and easier to contain. Linear power supplies are more suitable for powering sensitive circuitry and generate more heat, resulting in lower energy efficiency. Linear supplies are heavier because the 50 Hz or 60 Hz transformer and associated filters are physically larger.
  • Switching Power Supplies – normally a better option for portable applications and they are lighter and more compact units. Switch-mode power supplies start out the same way as Linear, rectifying and filtering AC line input voltage, however they "switch" the DC into high-frequency AC. Switching power supplies can also tolerate small losses of power without affecting output, unlike Linear power supplies and be more energy efficient.

Choosing a Bench Power Supply

Wondering how many channels you need? Will depend on how many supplies you want to use simultaneously, but at least two channels are normal practise for a bench power supply.

  • Energy efficiency – normally detailed in the specifications or supplier's datasheet.
  • Line Regulation – Expressed as a percentage, this shows change in the output voltage relative to changes in the input line voltage.
  • Load Regulation – is the measure to ensure that the output voltage is constant despite load variations. A good load regulation ensures that output voltage doesn't fluctuate when loads increase or are removed. This is important where test results cannot be repeated.

857 Products showing for Bench Power Supplies & Sources

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  • RS Stock No. 254-4056
Subtotal (1 unit)
MYR2,992.32
MYR2,992.32/unit
In Stock
  • RS Stock No. 257-3555
  • Mfr. Part No. OTII-ACE-PRO
Subtotal (1 unit)
MYR9,343.07
MYR9,343.07/unit
In Stock
  • RS Stock No. 102-5995
  • Mfr. Part No. EA-PSI 9200-10 DT
Subtotal (1 unit)
MYR15,705.87
MYR15,705.87/unit
In Stock
  • RS Stock No. 240-6648
  • Mfr. Part No. BK8600B
Subtotal (1 unit)
MYR9,050.75
MYR9,050.75/unit
In Stock
  • RS Stock No. 175-7368
Subtotal (1 unit)
MYR1,614.19
MYR1,614.19/unit
In Stock
  • RS Stock No. 180-8785
Subtotal (1 unit)
MYR1,925.85
MYR1,925.85/unit
In Stock
  • RS Stock No. 240-6663
  • Mfr. Part No. BK9205B
Subtotal (1 unit)
MYR11,401.85
MYR11,401.85/unit
In Stock
  • RS Stock No. 175-7367
Subtotal (1 unit)
MYR1,112.07
MYR1,112.07/unit
In Stock
  • RS Stock No. 240-6650
  • Mfr. Part No. BK8602B
Subtotal (1 unit)
MYR9,586.61
MYR9,586.61/unit
In Stock
  • RS Stock No. 753-1441
  • Mfr. Part No. QL355TP-G
Subtotal (1 unit)
MYR8,754.46
MYR8,754.46/unit
In Stock
  • RS Stock No. 288-0137
  • Mfr. Part No. 382202
Subtotal (1 unit)
MYR1,224.37
MYR1,224.37/unit
Temporarily out of stock
  • RS Stock No. 161-5840
  • Mfr. Part No. LDH400P
Subtotal (1 unit)
MYR10,033.69
MYR10,033.69/unit
In Stock
  • RS Stock No. 219-2287
  • Mfr. Part No. NGA141
Subtotal (1 unit)
MYR7,104.24
MYR7,104.24/unit
Being discontinued
  • RS Stock No. 130-1821
  • Mfr. Part No. EA-PS 1501 T
Subtotal (1 unit)
MYR832.76
MYR832.76/unit
Last RS stock
  • RS Stock No. 122-5036
Subtotal (1 unit)
MYR3,261.14
MYR3,261.14/unit
Currently unavailable
  • RS Stock No. 215-4791
  • Mfr. Part No. EDU36311A
Subtotal (1 unit)
MYR4,807.87
MYR4,807.87/unit
In Stock
  • RS Stock No. 226-1786
  • Mfr. Part No. XA3033
Subtotal (1 unit)
MYR2,728.43
MYR2,728.43/unit
Stocked by manufacturer
  • RS Stock No. 223-1583
  • Mfr. Part No. XLN15010-GL
Subtotal (1 unit)
MYR19,156.71
MYR19,156.71/unit
In Stock
  • RS Stock No. 123-6467
Subtotal (1 unit)
MYR3,416.10
MYR3,416.10/unit
In Stock
  • RS Stock No. 665-4912
  • Mfr. Part No. EX354RT
Subtotal (1 unit)
MYR4,110.19
MYR4,110.19/unit
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