Hi everyone!
I'm currently working on a new project that consists in developing a dummy load to test a multiple output IPSU, it has 9 rails and their voltage ranges from 1.25V to 5V, the output current should be less than 1A, but for testing purposes let's consider 1.5A.
The idea is to have an active load controlled by a microcontroller that can perform tests to all the rails regarding overvoltage and overcurrent situations and print the results on a PC screen.
I'm having a hard time with the first steps of this project, my knowledge in Power Electronics is not that great so I'm trying to understand how things work and what do I need to do.
I found this programmable electronic load
http://home.fnal.gov/~huffman/activeload/dtl2a-lc.pdf but it might an overkill either in power or cost, so I've been researching some related projects on the internet and I found one based on Dave's dummy load board video that also used a microcontroller (
http://www.instructables.com/id/Arduino-Programmable-Constant-Current-Power-Resist/).
It seems to be similar with what I'm trying to do, however I don't need half the stuff present in this design, namely the cooling fan and the temperature sensors because my application is much lower power.
However there are several doubts that come to mind...
- How can I test all 9 rails at the same time?
- How do I know which load to use for each rail and what output current they have?
Note that I didn't design this IPSU, I've just been making some tests with it mostly in software simulation to check efficiency and threshold values.
Also I have a passive dummy load that was given to me to make some consumption tests, it has loads for all the rails but it's built in a way I really don't understand.
Unfortunally I'm unable to upload the schematics for the IPSU because the file's too big but I'll upload an image of the schematic of the passive load.
If someone could help me with the first steps of this project I'd be much appreciated.
Thanks in advance
Gabriel
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