Measuring Power Supply and Transformer Output Voltage

In this week's Tech Tuesday, we talk about how to measure Power Supply and Transformer output voltage!

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We often get technical support calls from customers or installers concerned with the voltage reading on an output of one of our transformers or power supplies. In nearly every case, it is an issue with where the reference probe is connected. This blog contains some images of incorrect and correct probe placement when measuring those outputs. All the images in this blog use a PSMN500A as the example. The same measuring technique applies to our entire line of AC Power Supplies, as well as our transformers.

Figures 1 and 2 show incorrect measurement techniques where the reference probe (black) is connected to the ground connection of the cord supplying power to the transformer primary. Our transformers have isolation between the primary and the secondary. Ground can only be used as a reference point if the COM terminal of the measured secondary is connected to ground as well. If that is not the case, the reading will be a floating, or phantom, voltage. If your meter has a Low Impedance setting, measuring this same spot should yield zero volts, instead of the 273.4 Vac shown in the image.

Figure 1

Figure 1 - Incorrect Measurement Technique

Figure 2

Figure 2 - Incorrect Measurement Technique

When the measurement is taken with the correct reference point (the COM terminal), the reading will be accurate. As you can see, the meter is reading approximately 24 Vac in Figures 3 and 4. It is good practice to probe directly at the output terminals to get an accurate reading. If your secondary output commons are bonded to ground or not, measuring in this manner with yield the correct result. The same applies to the outputs of our enclosed power supplies.

Figure 3

Figure 3 - Correct Measurement Technique

Figure 4

Figure 4 - Correct Measurement Technique

If you are ever measuring the output voltage of a Functional Devices product, and the reading is well outside of your expectation, double-check your reference probe placement. It is always best to measure directly at the source. Do not assume that using ground, or the enclosure as a reference point, will yield an accurate reading.

Henry Smith
Henry Smith

Henry Smith is the Product Design Manager at Functional Devices, Inc. He has a BS in EET obtained from Purdue University in 2014 and a lifelong interest in electronics. As an engineer at Functional Devices, he gets to provide Technical Support to our customers, from distributors to specifying engineers and installers.

Henry enjoys providing tech support, as it allows our company to assist at every level of our product’s lifecycle and exposes us to interesting and unique applications. While not every technical question is unique, even answering a simple question or providing someone with the information in a timely manner can go a long way to helping them meet a deadline.

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