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Power Source

What is a Power Source?

A power source is an instrument used to supply power to other equipment and sensors, enabling them to operate. The power is provided in the form of voltage or current.

Current Power Source Ranges

Voltage Sources: - PV1: ± 5 V - PV2: ± 3.3 V - PV3: 0-3 V

Current Sources: - PCS: 0 - 3.3 mA

How to Use

Power Source UI

To use the variable power supply, connect the output terminals from the PSLab board to the circuit nodes according to your specific requirement.

Procedure for Supplying Power:

  1. Select the required power source from PV1, PV2, PV3, or PCS.
  2. Set the desired value for the power source using the app interface.
  3. Connect the board pins to your external equipment, such as an LED or sensor.

Important Features

  • PV1 and PV3 are proportional to each other.
  • PV2 and PCS are inversely proportional to each other.

Experiment: Powering an LED

Goal

To power an LED using the PSLab inbuilt power supply.

Materials Required

  • Your Phone or Computer
  • The PSLab App installed
  • White LED with a power rating of approximately 3.2V
  • Connecting jumper wires

Procedure

LED Power Setup

  1. Open the PSLab app.
  2. Select the Power Source option from the main menu.
  3. The app will display various power source options:
  4. PV1
  5. PV2
  6. PV3
  7. PCS
  8. Choose Voltage Source 2 (PV2) for this experiment and set its value to the LED voltage (~3.2V).
  9. Connect the GND pin and the PV2 terminal to the LED's cathode (short leg) and anode (long leg) respectively using connecting wires.
  10. Adjust the power source knob in the app until the required voltage is reached.
  11. The LED will start glowing.

Observations

  • The LED illuminates cleanly when the correct voltage is applied.
  • The PSLab successfully and safely supplies the required power.

Conclusion

The PSLab power source can effectively power an external LED.

Experiment: Powering a Buzzer

Buzzer Curve

Goal

To power a buzzer using the PSLab inbuilt power supply.

Materials Required

  • Your Phone or Computer
  • The PSLab App installed
  • Buzzer with a rating of 3V
  • Connecting jumper wires

Procedure

Buzzer Power Setup

  1. Open the PSLab app.
  2. Select the Power Source option.
  3. The app will display various Power Source options:
  4. PV1
  5. PV2
  6. PV3
  7. PCS
  8. Choose Voltage Source 1 (PV1) and set its value to the buzzer's starting voltage (~2.5V).
  9. Connect the GND pin and the PV1 terminal to the buzzer terminals using connecting wires.
  10. Adjust the power source knob in the app until the required voltage is reached.
  11. The buzzer will start producing sound.
  12. Gradually increase the voltage in the app to increase the buzzer's sound intensity.
  13. Adjust the voltage as needed to achieve the desired sound level.

Observations

  • The buzzer starts producing sound immediately when the correct voltage is applied.
  • The sound intensity scales dynamically as the voltage changes.

Conclusion

The PSLab Power Source can effectively power a buzzer and modulate its intensity.