Eurorack parts: Difference between revisions

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[[File:Lowpass Filter LC.svg|thumb|right|150px|LC filter to further reduce the amount of output ripple and transients on a switching PS.]] A good clean power supply unit (PSU) is the most important part of a modular system. A proper [[Power supply (linear)|linear power supply]] and good distribution makes a big difference to the stability and sound quality of the system.<ref>[https://www.muffwiggler.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=1470018 Best Eurorack Power Supply (PSU) for your buck?], Muff Wiggler forum, 23 Feb 2014</ref>
[[File:Lowpass Filter LC.svg|thumb|right|150px|LC filter to further reduce the amount of output ripple and transients on a switching PS.]] A good clean power supply unit (PSU) is the most important part of a modular system. A proper [[Power supply (linear)|linear power supply]] and good distribution makes a big difference to the stability and sound quality of the system.<ref>[https://www.muffwiggler.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=1470018 Best Eurorack Power Supply (PSU) for your buck?], Muff Wiggler forum, 23 Feb 2014</ref>


[[Power supply (switching)|Switch-mode power supplies]] (SMPS) are smaller, lighter, and much more efficient (give off less heat) than linear power supplies but produce more noise on their output.<ref>[http://cp.literature.agilent.com/litweb/pdf/5990-3242EN.pdf Understanding the Importance of Low-Noise Linear Power Supplies]</ref> About 1% of the output voltage of a switching power is a sawtooth ripple at the switcher frequency. Due to the fast output switching and the parasitic inductance of the output filter capacitor there may also be short voltage spikes at the peaks of the sawtooth. Use low inductance capacitors with short leads to minimize these voltage spikes. Adding a small LC filter to the output can further reduce the ripple and transients to a tenth of their level.<ref>[http://www.ti.com/lit/ds/symlink/lm2574.pdf Output voltage ripple and transients], LM2574 data sheet</ref>
[[Power supply (switching)|Switch-mode power supplies]] (SMPS) are smaller, lighter, and much more efficient (give off less heat) than linear power supplies but produce noise, (above the audio range) on their output.<ref>[http://cp.literature.agilent.com/litweb/pdf/5990-3242EN.pdf Understanding the Importance of Low-Noise Linear Power Supplies]</ref> About 1% of the output voltage of a switching power is a sawtooth ripple at the switcher frequency. Due to the fast output switching and the parasitic inductance of the output filter capacitor there may also be short voltage spikes at the peaks of the sawtooth. Use low inductance capacitors with short leads to minimize these voltage spikes. Adding a small LC filter to the output can further reduce the ripple and transients to a tenth of their level.<ref>[http://www.ti.com/lit/ds/symlink/lm2574.pdf Output voltage ripple and transients], LM2574 data sheet</ref>


=== Safety ===
=== Safety ===
Mains voltages can kill and [[capacitor]]s in disconnected power supplies can still deliver quite a jolt. Unless you're qualified to work with mains electricity ready made external transformers are safer.
Mains voltages can kill and [[capacitor]]s in disconnected power supplies can still deliver quite a jolt. Unless you're qualified to work with mains electricity ready made external transformers are safer.

== See also ==
== See also ==
* [[Eurocard]]
* [[Eurocard]]