Re: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] parelling two switching power supplies ?

turbulatordude wrote:

> Hi all,
>
> I was chatting with a friend about boosting power.
>
> can one safely parallel 2 switching power supplies ?

Generally, no. These power supplies run in voltage control mode,
and will reduce voltage when excessive current is demanded. The voltage
regulation loop has high gain, so one power supply will invariably handle all
the load up until it goes into current limit. This is likely to cause voltage
fluctuations, load jumping back and forth from one supply to the other, etc.
There are special supplies designed for parallel applications, but the standard
units are not.

> I am of the big transformer camp. and have a nice big
> trans. and I don't have any backbground on what would happen.
>
> Seems to me that if one were to use a pair get the needed amps, it
> would be better to put one stepper on one power supply and the other
> 2 on that second power supply.

Yes, that could be a very workable solution. It would work even better on a
4-axis setup, but the division of 2 and 1 might work out well, too.

Jon