General Enginnering Problem Dealing with Voltage Supply

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on issues encountered when connecting a DC voltage supply to a PIC Board, specifically when using a 5V supply instead of the recommended 9V AC adapter. The voltage drops to 4.3V, indicating potential problems such as insufficient voltage for the board's operation or a possible short circuit. Participants emphasize the importance of using the correct voltage supply and suggest checking the supply's capacity and filtering characteristics. Recommendations include verifying connections and considering the board's condition or consulting an electrical engineer if problems persist.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of DC voltage supply characteristics
  • Familiarity with PIC microcontroller boards
  • Knowledge of voltage regulation and filtering in power supplies
  • Basic troubleshooting skills for electronic circuits
NEXT STEPS
  • Investigate the specifications of the PIC Board and its power requirements
  • Learn about voltage regulation techniques in electronic circuits
  • Research the differences between filtered and unfiltered DC power supplies
  • Explore troubleshooting methods for diagnosing short circuits in electronic devices
USEFUL FOR

Electronics enthusiasts, hobbyists working with PIC microcontrollers, electrical engineers, and anyone involved in troubleshooting power supply issues in electronic circuits.

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Hello,

So I'm facing some difficulties. I'm using a DC voltage supply and connecting it to a PIC Board. The AC adapter that comes with the board outputs 9V DC. To be safe I'm just using 5V from the DC voltage supply. When I connect it to the board the reading from the voltage supply drops to 4.3 volts and the current cutoffs too. Does this means that there is a short circuit with the board?

Thanks
 
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First, why don't you want to use the AC adapter provided? If the adapter works, why lower the voltage?

It could well be there are regulator inside the board to get 5V and it needs 9V to do that. Current drops off might means that you don't have enough voltage to even turn on the circuit and not drawing current. You don't have enough info for people to judge. But the most important question is why do you want to change something that is designed to work with and work?
 
When I connect it to the board the reading from the voltage supply drops to 4.3 volts and the current cutoffs too.

well you'd need to have an idea what is capacity of the supply, and what is demanded by the board. Capacity of supply will be written on it.

Be aware that some power supplies, especially those meant for charging batteries, provide unfiltered DC and will drop their voltage when loaded. Also they'd be not good for the electronice on your board.
To see if you have one of those, connect it(without the board) to your voltmater and select AC. If you read more than a couple tenths of a volt it is poorly filtered(if at all) so you probably need a different supply.
To verify, select meter to DC and note reading, then unplug supply. If voltage drops immediately it is unfiltered, if it takes a second or two to bleed down then it IS filtered.
So study both your supply and the manual that came with yuor board.
 
Ok Thanks guys. I'm going to try this in the lab room tomorrow and will reply with my results. Once again, Thanks.
 
for reaching out about your issue with the voltage supply and PIC board. It sounds like you may be experiencing a short circuit or some other issue with the board that is causing the voltage to drop and the current to cutoff. I would recommend checking all of your connections and ensuring that there are no loose or damaged components on the board. It is also possible that the board itself may be faulty and may need to be replaced. If the issue persists, I would suggest consulting with an electrical engineer or contacting the manufacturer for further assistance in troubleshooting the problem.
 

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