2
\$\begingroup\$

I'm starting to learn what I can about electronics, and recently decided to follow this (and similar) guides to building a bench power supply out of an ATX PSU:

http://www.instructables.com/id/Convert-A-Computer-Power-supply-to-a-Bench-Top-Lab/step3/Presenting-The-Power/

In this guide, there is a schematic to take the +12V and -12V lines and combine them with a potentiometer to output a range of voltage up to 24V.

voltage regulator
(source: instructables.com)

I followed the guides and built the circuit as shown (using an LM317 voltage regulator) and the potentiometer shown here: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B009QFU9H4/ref=oh_details_o03_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Each of the 3 power rails (3.3V, 5V, +12V) are connected to a fuse, then to a binding post, while the negative binding posts go to ground. As an extra feature, an LED is wired in parallel with the binding post (and a current limiting resistor) so I have a visual indicator as to whether the fuse is blown. For the variable 24V output, there is an LED (with current limiting resistor for 12V) tied in parallel off of the +12V line used for the variable voltage. My questions are regarding the 24V output and... what I apparently screwed up.

Upon testing the circuit, I connected a voltmeter to the 24V output and ramped up the potentiometer. It released its' smoke about halfway up, so I aborted the test and connected the leads that went to the (now dead) potentiometer to an ammeter. I figured maybe there was too much current for the potentiometer. Shortly after powering on the supply again, the voltage regulator in the circuit below fizzled out of existence and I killed the power before any further damage could take place.

My theory is that I'm not understanding how this 24V is being produced properly, and that perhaps the ground from the LED on this connection is somehow causing everything else to fail. Or, that the potentiometer couldn't handle the amperage, and perhaps the LM317 died because there was no heat sink and it simply overheated. I'd like to know (a) if my theories are correct, and (b) if there is a way to fix this and allow it to function the way I am expecting. It's hard for me to understand how the 24V variable line is not grounded and can still work properly, and perhaps I shouldn't be attempting to build a circuit I don't completely understand.

If I can provide any more details that will help, please ask away! I'm assuming that if I can't make this function properly, I could replace the potentiometer, remove the variable circuit below and simply use the +12V rail with the potentiometer in line to regulate from 0-12V. (I don't have anything that I could immediately imagine using 24V for anyway).

Thank you very much for your time and insight!

\$\endgroup\$
9
  • 3
    \$\begingroup\$ The "zero volt" terminal of this 1 - 22 Volt supply must not be connected to the ATX supply's 0 volt/ground terminal - it is actually connected to the ATX -12 volt terminal. \$\endgroup\$ Jan 29, 2014 at 3:23
  • 2
    \$\begingroup\$ It would be good to have a schematic of exactly what you built, instead of a schematic of what you were trying to build, to which you added things and made modifications. \$\endgroup\$
    – Phil Frost
    Jan 29, 2014 at 3:31
  • 1
    \$\begingroup\$ Aaaand... I just found another problem. It seems the + terminal for the 24V binding post is somehow touching the metal enclosure which would be grounded... maybe I'll just stay away from the soldering iron for awhile. \$\endgroup\$ Jan 29, 2014 at 4:04
  • 4
    \$\begingroup\$ @MathewTate "maybe I'll just stay away from the soldering iron for awhile." Learn from your mistakes, rather than letting them discourage you. \$\endgroup\$
    – jippie
    Jan 29, 2014 at 6:01
  • 1
    \$\begingroup\$ Please note that the current available from the -12V rail of a typical PC power supply is very LOW. It is a legacy rail for powering RS-232 line drivers and not designed for high current, it will limit your supply current a lot. The +12V is better, 5V even more and the 3V3 is the highest current rating on modern supplies. \$\endgroup\$
    – KalleMP
    Jul 14, 2015 at 17:09

1 Answer 1

6
\$\begingroup\$

Each of the 3 power rails (3.3V, 5V, +12V) are connected to a fuse, then to a binding post, while the negative binding posts go to ground.

This sounds like the problem. Keep in mind, voltages are differences in potential between two points. There's nothing special about ground, it's just an arbitrary point which we pick. It's 0V because the difference of something with itself is 0.

You can call anything you want "ground". That's why this circuit works. If you call the -12V output as "ground", then everything else is 12V higher. That's including what was previously called "ground": now it's 12V, because it's 12V more than what you are now calling ground.

Now consider what you've done:

schematic

simulate this circuit – Schematic created using CircuitLab

The "ground" of the power supply connects all of the voltages supplied together (connections labeled B and C). The output voltages are relative to this. Notice how the -12V (V4) makes a negative voltage because it's positive side is attached to "ground".

Then, you attached the negative binding posts of all the supplies together. Largely this is redundant: you are duplicating connections B and C. But you are also adding connection A.

See the problem? You've shorted out V4. A wire has ideally zero resistance. By Ohm's law, the current that will flow is:

$$ \frac{12V}{0\Omega} = $$

divide by zero error

In reality, the wires used to make this connection actually have some very small resistance, and you get a whole ton of current. This far exceeded the current the voltage regulator can handle and the smoke got out.

\$\endgroup\$
1
  • 1
    \$\begingroup\$ I understand your post, and you may be accurate, but not precise; I'm sorry if I didn't explain properly, and please note the schematic I posted in a comment to the above post. While the 3.3V, 5V and 12V lines are grounded, the 24V variable circuit should have it's own isolated ground (that is, the 0v from the circuit in the original post is the "ground" for the 24V binding post's ground, not common ground). However, I did find a short from the positive terminal to common ground which would essentially cause the same thing, so in that, I believe you're correct about the cause. Thank you! \$\endgroup\$ Jan 29, 2014 at 4:08

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.