Question 1

What are advantages of a linear supply?  Are there specific uses that it is ideal for?  ( As ompared to a switching supply with greater efficiency)

Accepted Answer

The primary reason for choosing a Linear lab power supply over a switching type is Lower Electrical Noise (output ripple). Linear supplies tend to be 50 to 100x quieter.

The primary reason(s) for choosing a Switching Lab supply are size, weight and efficiency.

Question 2

How do you enable Constant Current mode?  The instructions say to press and hold the current button, but all that does is enable/disable lock mode.

Accepted Answer

It appears the answer is you don't actually "enable" constant current mode.  You just set a current limit and if the load tries to draw more it will limit the current and switch the CC light on instead of CV.

Question 3

If this is a dc psu what s the ground for? does it provide an ac supply as well? switchable between ac an dc?

Accepted Answer

This reply comes a year later. There are a few videos on YouTube that define " Ground ". You should check them out. The context of "ground " is relative to the device on the other side of the power supply and not the actual power supply. Generally people imagine ground and common to be the same, that is not true. They use the same symbol on circuit diagrams but they are not the same relatively - even in the same circuit. It is OFTEN advantageous to galvanically isolate things from each other, especially when there is DC-AC conversion happening. i.e. shunting to ground is an AC concept while connecting to common is DC. Generally in DC you want the same common in AC you might not, and not knowing which is which can be potentially dangerous.

Question 4

do the leads have diodes, or can charging a battery backfeed power into the unit?

Accepted Answer

no diodes. just simple alligator clips.

ASIN	B00ZBCLJSY
Amperage	5 A
Best Sellers Rank	#134,237 in Industrial & Scientific ( See Top 100 in Industrial & Scientific ) #119 in Lab Power Supplies #236 in Life Science Supplies
Brand	Tekpower
Color	Beige
Connector Type Used on Cable	ATX
Customer Reviews	4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars (668)
Enclosure Material	Metal Body
Form Factor	Benchtop
Input Voltage	110 volts_of_alternating_current
Item Dimensions	11.7 x 9.7 x 7.9 inches
Item Weight	12 pounds
Manufacturer	Tekpower
Mfr Part Number	TP3005T
Model Number	TP3005T
Output Current	5 A
Output Voltage	30 volts_of_direct_current
Output Wattage	300 watts
Unit Count	1 Count

Tekpower TP3005T Variable Linear DC Power Supply, 0-30V @ 0-5A with Alligator Test Leads

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