Few smps and/or amplifier questions

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the challenges of wiring multiple amplifier channels to separate switch-mode power supplies (SMPS) using a common IGBT half-bridge topology. The user successfully launched two amplifier channels but faces issues with signal ground connections for the remaining channels, which could lead to undesirable current flow. The conversation also touches on the overheating of a choke used for high-frequency noise suppression during load testing of the SMPS. The user seeks advice on managing input signal grounds and designing an effective choke for high power applications.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of switch-mode power supply (SMPS) design
  • Knowledge of IGBT half-bridge topology
  • Familiarity with audio amplifier circuit design
  • Experience with inductors and choke design for noise suppression
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  • Research best practices for grounding in multi-channel amplifier setups
  • Learn about designing effective chokes for high-frequency noise suppression
  • Investigate the impact of transformer core materials on performance
  • Explore methods for measuring and managing ground potential differences in SMPS
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Audio engineers, power electronics designers, and hobbyists building high-power amplifier systems who need to optimize grounding and noise suppression strategies.

Salvador
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Hi folks , maybe you can help me out , so I've built a powerful smps with two separate transformers and secondaries being driven by one common two IGBT half bridge topology.
I have also put 4x500w rms amplifier channels into the box , they are not kit's they are basically discrete component made boards after a well known schematic.

heres the problem , i have launched two of the channels already from one of the two smps transformers and they work.But now I need to wire up the other two channels to the second smps transformer and it's corresponding output , but in the input stage there is signal ground which is tied to each channel and it's then tied to each channels PSU ground via 10ohm resistor and a capacitor in parallel.

Now since i have two separate transformers measuring with a multimeter from one secondary ground across the other i get about 80v DC which is normal because the transformers are not perfectly identical ,
The question then is what should I do with the input signal grounds ? If I simply connect the signal ground to all 4 channels and on each channel a 10ohm resistor to the actual ground then I will get huge currents running from the first two channels to the second two channel grounds and that will be definitely bad.
Should I simply take away the resistors and leave the input grounds connected to the psu ground only via a capacitor?

P.S. I originally put the 10ohm resistor to stop any ground currents in the signal ground because using only a capacitor resulted in some HUM.
I have also done this in one other amplifier I have built before but that ahd only two channels yet each channel had a separate mains transformer psu yet I too lifted the signal ground to the psu ground via the 10ohm resistor , never measured voltages but it works just fine.
Oh and one other question , when I assembled my smps for the second time I used a choke in the input for high frequency noise supression back into the mains.I have taken that pasrt from another big commercial smps , but when I load tested my smps i went above 1KW , probably 1.5kw and the inductor got hot and the varnish burned off , I have some thick copper enamel wire I could wrap my own heavy duty choke but i don't know how much turns of wire I need to make it effective ? I assume it doesn't have to be that specific but some overall value that I could use maybe?
 
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as one of the members on PF wrote to me in PM , he would like to know the schematics of the smps itself to say more , so I will post the schematics and our discussion here just in case.

Could you post any schematics? Particularly the smps. (I think you said you built them.)
I don't understand your "80V difference between grounds is normal". I'd have thought, if these are from separate windings, you could just tie them (the grounds) together.
I'd agree, if they are floating, you can get a random voltage difference when tested with a high impedance meter, but I would not expect a constant value and I would not expect any current. What is the rest of the current path if you tie the grounds together? Have you tried tying them through a resistor, say a few k, and measuring the voltage then?thanks for the interest, well since they are both secondary windings they are floating with respect to each other.
I haven't actually thought about tying them together.
but both transformer primaries are powered from a single half bridge two IGBT set so maybe each transformers primary kind of goes 180 degrees out of phase , also each transformers core is a bit different material , I'm not sure how much of a role this plays into the equation.
 

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Looking at the schematic, I can't see how there can be a potential between the different grounds. I think they should all be connected to the same conductor.
If they are all separate local grounds, then I can't see how any DC current can flow between them. If you are getting 60mA DC flowing between two "grounds" then I suspect there must be some connection that is not shown on the schematic.

Since you are not getting any help here, I suggest you try http://www.electronicspoint.com
 

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