Quizzes & Puzzles1 min ago
Power Supply Calculation
Can anyone help me to calculate the correct DC power supply I will need to power 80 laser diodes rated at 5V @ 40mA, all connected parallel?
Answers
1 to 5 of 5
Best Answer
No best answer has yet been selected by Beswad. Once a best answer has been selected, it will be shown here.
For more on marking an answer as the "Best Answer", please visit our FAQ.
Multiple the current for each diode by the number of diodes to get the required current. Add a percentage as you don't want to run at max. You already know the voltage.
Power in Watts is Current in Amps * Potential Difference in Volts.
That said surely this circuit consists of more than just the diodes ?
Power in Watts is Current in Amps * Potential Difference in Volts.
That said surely this circuit consists of more than just the diodes ?
An advantage of wiring some in series is that you are then assured they are all (in each branch) carrying an equal current.
If you were to use a 24v supply, grouping the diodes into 20 parallel branches of four each in series with a 100 ohm (1/2 watt) resistor to help equalise the current in each branch, the total current supplied would then be 20 * 0.04 = 800ma.
As long as the supply is designed to provide the required current at the rated voltage, there should be no problem.
If you were to use a 24v supply, grouping the diodes into 20 parallel branches of four each in series with a 100 ohm (1/2 watt) resistor to help equalise the current in each branch, the total current supplied would then be 20 * 0.04 = 800ma.
As long as the supply is designed to provide the required current at the rated voltage, there should be no problem.
1 to 5 of 5
