[sdiy] Power distribution board

[Laurie Biddulph]

Most distribution boards simply run the tracks in parallel, the idea being 
that the distribution board itself is the star point (each module is wired 
to this one common point - like a star).

I have just drafted up a 4-way star board where all the connectors are 
connected individually back to the power in connector so this may be the way 
to go.

The important points with the distribution board are that they have 
heavy-duty tracks to minimise voltage losses and maximise current flow. 
Ideally they should offer:-
1) optional filtering at each connector
2) optional protection circuitry although this should be added to minimise 
any voltage drop for series inserted components (for instance adding a 
blocking diode in the 2 power rails will result in a drop of 0.6V in each 
rail so if you had 12.0V rails going in, the you would only have 11.4V going 
to each module!)
3) status indication of the power rails
4) option to connect the ground of the power rails (at the power-in 
connector) to chassis earth

Best Regards

(Mr) Laurie Biddulph
Phone: +61 (0)2 4340 0938
Mobile: 0400 257 645

Elby Designs
ABN: 70 022 727 605
http://www.elby-designs.com

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----- Original Message ----- 
From: "David G. Dixon" <dixon at interchange.ubc.ca>
To: <synth-diy at dropmix.xs4all.nl>
Sent: Saturday, April 04, 2009 3:20 PM
Subject: [sdiy] Power distribution board


> I've just taken delivery of a Power-One +/-15V, 1.5A power supply, and I
> need to etch a distribution board for it.  I would like to build something
> like the MOTM board with an array of MTA156 4-pin connectors, and I'm
> wondering if anyone can point me to a PCB image for something like that. 
> If
> not, I will have to draw my own, in which case I have a question:
>
> I ascertain that it is important to connect each ground pin to the power
> supply ground buss with it's own trace (the so-called "star ground"
> configuration).  Is this important enough to justify the inconvenience? 
> If
> so, then should one also do the two power rails this way?  Also, what is 
> the
> deal with the two ground pins on the 4-pin connectors?  Are they actually
> different?
>
> Power distribution seems like a fairly important thing -- I don't want to
> screw it up!
>
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