Chapter 7 Tutorial
Output Characteristics
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Output Characteristics
An ideal constant-voltage power supply would have a zero output impedance at all
frequencies. Thus, as shown in Figure 7-3, the voltage would remain perfectly
constant in spite of any changes in output current demanded by the load.
Figure 7-3. Ideal Constant Voltage Figure 7-4. Ideal Constant Current
Power Supply Power Supply
The ideal constant-current power supply exhibits an infinite output impedance at all
frequencies. Thus as Figure 7-4 indicates, the ideal constant-current power supply
would accommodate a load resistance change by altering its output voltage by just
the amount necessary to maintain its output current at a constant value.
The output of this power supply can operate in either constant-voltage (CV) mode or
constant-current (CC) mode. Under certain fault conditions, the power supply can not
operate in either CV or CC mode and becomes unregulated.