AW: Measuring the current draw of a modular

[Christopher_List at Sonymusic.Com]

> For the whole *system* I will use a different method:
> (Speaking of the JH-4 PolySynth)
> As I need more current than a simple integrated regulator
> would handle, I have to beef it up with an external power transistor
> anyway. So I also need an overload protection, i.e. a
> resistor which will produce some 0.7 V when the maximum current
> flows thru it. Now this resistor is exactly the right place
> to check with the meter. Simply measure the voltage across
> this resistor, and calculate the current.
> The resistor is large enough (by design) to give a reasonable
> voltage at the current range of interest, and it's inside the regulation
loop,
> so you don't cause the output voltage to drop.

Hey - cool idea! Just last night I finally got around to reading some of
the power supply chapter (chapter 6) of The Art of Electronics and it
talked about this kind of a setup. As I was reading it I was thinking;
"hey, those power supplies I got have a pair of big honkin' high power
resistors - I wonder if that's what they are".
I think the power supplies I have are International Power. I'll check it
out - thanks for the tip...
 It'd be easy to test too - disconnect the PS, I should have no current,
add a module, a little current, etc....

- Chris