1
\$\begingroup\$

Let's assume I have two 15V DC power supplies. These power supplies are allowed to be connected in series (per the user's manual).

I have a device that requires a signal from +15V to -15V (motor driver circuit).

Typically, I would put both my power supplies in series, I would then provide 15V (relative to ground) to the motor driver circuit to use as ground. So from potential earth perspective, the motor driver circuit has 0V as its -15V, 15V as its ground, and 30V as its 15V.

However, what would happen if I were to put both of my power supplies in series and then ground (potential earth) the middle leg from image below (i.e. ground negative terminal on power supply 1/positive terminal on power supply 2). Would I need to worry about power supply 2 shorting to potential earth?

enter image description here

I would guess that since each power supply can be used in series, that means the + and - terminals are isolated from ground. Thus, it would be possible to connect the middle leg to ground. This would require that power supply 2 be able to maintain a truly negative voltage relative to potential earth.

Am I correct in this assumption?

\$\endgroup\$
1
  • \$\begingroup\$ Are they bench-top supplies? Have you tried a continuity test between them and earth? \$\endgroup\$ Jan 8, 2018 at 21:38

3 Answers 3

3
\$\begingroup\$

As long as the outputs of both supplies are floating (not connected to Ground, or to each other in some other way), connecting the two supplies in series, and calling the mid-point "Ground" is perfectly normal.

\$\endgroup\$
2
  • \$\begingroup\$ Yes, that is typically what I could do. However, because they're floating, I should technically be able to actually tie the mid-point to potential earth without problems? \$\endgroup\$
    – Izzo
    Jan 8, 2018 at 21:53
  • \$\begingroup\$ @Izzo: yes, you can tie the mid-point to Earth, or just call it "Circuit Ground/Zero volts". \$\endgroup\$ Jan 8, 2018 at 22:11
0
\$\begingroup\$

This will cause a problem. The reason you can get away with them in series it is because of galvanic isolation, which explicitly removes the continuity between the input and output via a transformer.

You can, however, treat the tap between the two as ground as far as your motor driver is concerned -- assuming it's not itself referenced to earth elsewhere.

\$\endgroup\$
1
  • 1
    \$\begingroup\$ Izzo's proposed connection is the usual way to get a bipolar supply - although the drawing in his question should show a Ground or "zero volt" connection on the jumper between the supplies. \$\endgroup\$ Jan 8, 2018 at 21:43
0
\$\begingroup\$

If the power supplies make it explicit that their outputs can be connected in series to stack up the voltage, it's been my experience that this works fine. (The outputs are always isolated from Earth ground in my experience for cases like this.)

Let's see how this might actually work:

schematic

simulate this circuit – Schematic created using CircuitLab

On the left side, the load is grounded on one end, with the other end attached to the \$-15\:\text{V}\$ rail. Here \$V_1\$ isn't doing anything. But \$V_2\$ is just working normally. It sees the load and does the usual things you expect from a power supply. So \$V_1\$ is inactive and \$V_2\$ is active (sourcing current into the load.)

On the right side, the load is grounded on one end, with the other end attached to the \$+15\:\text{V}\$ rail. Now \$V_2\$ isn't doing anything. But \$V_1\$ is now just working normally. It also sees the load and does the usual things you expect from a power supply. So \$V_1\$ is active and \$V_2\$ is inactive (sourcing current into the load.)

Nothing particularly troublesome, so far.

So here's the last case I want to cover:

schematic

simulate this circuit

In this case, the load isn't attached to ground. So the current through \$R_{LOAD}\$, sourced from \$V_1\$'s (+) terminal, must be somehow sunk by \$V_2\$'s (-) terminal. This then means that there must be a path by which \$V_2\$'s (+) terminal can allow such currents to arrive at \$V_1\$'s (-) terminal.

When they say that the power supplies can be stacked, they are telling you that this path exists without impairing the function of the power supply regulation features.

So everything should work fine, I think.

\$\endgroup\$

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge that you have read and understand our privacy policy and code of conduct.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.