There will undoubtedly come a situation where a single power supply isn't going to cut it for you. You'll need to connect multiple power supplies together to reach your desired power output. And when the time comes, you'll have two approaches you can take: connecting power supplies in parallel or connecting power supplies in series. Which of these approaches makes the most sense for you, though? That's what we're here to answer today.
Bravo Electro is the premier ACDC power supply source in the industry. But we don't just have the products you need to get (and stay) up and running - we have the resources you need, too. We're here to demystify power supply and electric components so you can enjoy confidence and peace of mind in setting yours up. In this in-depth guide, you'll learn all about connecting power supplies together - we'll discuss the pros and cons of both the parallel and series connections, and help you make the right choice for your needs. By the end of this article, you'll know all there is to know about the power supply in series vs parallel debate.
We've got quite a bit to cover today, and don't want to waste any more of your time. So, let's start by discussing the cases in which you may need to connect multiple power supplies together.
Why Connect Power Supplies Together?
There are a few reasons you might need to connect multiple power supplies together. The first, and most obvious reason, is that you need more power output than what a single power supply can provide. Sure, you can get a more powerful power supply in some cases - but this isn't always feasible.
For example, let's say you're running a large server farm with 50 servers. Each server requires 100 watts of power to run properly. With a single 500-watt power supply, you'd be quickly maxing out its capacity - and putting your servers at risk of crashing. In this case, you would need to either find a very powerful single power supply (which can be expensive) or connect multiple lower-powered supplies in parallel (more on that later).
Another common reason people need to connect multiple power supplies together is to ensure redundancy. When you connect power supplies in parallel, you're essentially creating a backup system - if one power supply fails, the others can pick up the slack and keep your devices running. This is critical for applications where any downtime simply isn't an option, like hospital equipment or data center servers.
That covers the most common reasons people need to start connecting power supplies together. Let's move on and discuss the difference between connecting power supplies in series vs parallel, so you can make the best decision for your needs.
Connecting Power Supplies in Series vs Parallel - What is the Difference?
Now that we've discussed when you might need to start connecting multiple power supplies together, it's time to dive into the difference between connecting power supplies in series vs parallel. These two approaches may look similar at first glance, but they actually have very different effects on your power system.
Before we get into the nitty-gritty of each approach, let's start with a quick overview of each - we'll discuss what the terminology means, what the approach entails, and what the pros/cons are.
What Does Connecting Power Supplies in Series Mean?
When you connect power supplies in series, you're essentially connecting them end-to-end, like links in a chain. This has the effect of doubling the voltage output of your system while halving the current. For example, let's say you have two 12-volt power supplies with a maximum current output of three amps. If you were to connect these power supplies in series, your new system would have a 24-volt output - but only three amps of current.
Advantages
This approach is most commonly used when you need to increase the voltage output of your system without increasing its overall power (wattage). It's also very commonly used in applications where space is limited, as it requires fewer cables than connecting power supplies in parallel. It's preferred by many because you e joy near perfect utilization of power delivery between the connections. And, there is no need for configuration or sharing circuits - with a greater tolerance for variation in the application. It's simply a more versatile approach. Unlike the parallel configuration, we'll discuss below, power supplies needn't be identical.
Drawbacks
There are some limitations we need to discuss as it pertains to connecting power supplies in series. First and foremost, the output must be capable of tolerating voltage offsets. This means in some cases, the output voltages of ground-referenced power supplies cannot be stacked on the outputs of other supplies. Another drawback to connecting power supplies in series is that in certain situations the output's voltage can be reversed. While this is easily remedied with a few design improvements, it does lead to more work.
Now that we've discussed what connecting power supplies in series entails, let's move on and discuss the parallel approach.
What Does Connecting Power Supplies in Parallel Mean?
When you connect power supplies in parallel, you're essentially connecting the positive terminal of one supply to the positive terminal of the other, and doing the same for the negative terminals. This has the effect of doubling your system's current output while keeping the voltage constant. For example, using the same two 12v power supplies from our previous example - if we were to connect them in parallel, we would end up with a 12-volt system with six amps of current.
Advantages
This approach is most commonly used when you need to increase the current output of your system without increasing its overall power. It's also a good choice if you need to connect a large number of devices, as each power supply can handle more devices when they're connected in parallel.
Drawbacks
However, with this topology, it's important to take careful steps to ensure the efficiency of the configuration. It works best with power supplies that feature internal circuits - otherwise, external methods must be used. This will compromise on efficiency of the configuration - costing more in the long run. It's also worth noting that for best results, the power supplies connected in parallel should be identical.
Now that we've covered the basics of each approach, let's move on and discuss the pros and cons of connecting power supplies in series vs parallel.
Connecting Power Supplies in Series vs Parallel: Which is the Right Approach?
The answer to this question depends on your specific needs. As we discussed earlier, connecting power supplies in series is best when you need to increase voltage without affecting current, while connecting them in parallel is best when you need to increase current without affecting voltage.
There are also a few other factors to consider, like space constraints and the number of devices you need to connect. Let's go over each of these in more detail so you can make the best decision for your application.
- Voltage Output: If you need to increase the voltage output of your system, connecting power supplies in series is the way to go. This approach will double your system's voltage while halving its current.
- Current Output: If you need to increase the current output of your system, connecting power supplies in parallel is the best approach. This will double your system's current while keeping the voltage constant.
- Space Constraints: Connecting power supplies in series require fewer cables than connecting them in parallel, so it's a good choice if space is limited.
- Number of Devices: If you need to connect a large number of devices, connecting power supplies in parallel is the best approach. This is because each power supply can handle more devices when they're connected in parallel.
The Verdict:
In general, connecting power supplies in series grants greater versatility and is easier to set up than connecting power supplies in parallel. But, now that you know the pros and cons of each approach, you can make an informed decision about which one is right for your needs. Here is a quick summary of each approach below:
Connecting Power Supplies in Series:
- increase voltage without affecting current
- fewer cables required
- more versatile, as it can be designed with differing power supplies.
Connecting Power Supplies in Parallel:
- increase current without affecting the voltage
- able to connect more devices in a parallel configuration.
- each power supply can handle more devices when connected in parallel
- most commonly used with identical power supplies
Final Thoughts on the Power Supply in Series vs Parallel Debate
That concludes our breakdown of the difference between connecting a power supply in series vs parallel. So, which of these is the right approach for your needs? It depends on what you need to increase - voltage or current - and also how many devices you need to connect. If space is constrained, then series might be the way to go. But if you have a lot of devices that need power, connecting power supplies in parallel is probably your best bet.
Still not sure which approach is right for you? Our team of experts at Bravo Electro are always happy to help - just give us a call or send us an email, and we'll guide you through the process. We have engineers on staff to help you design and implement custom power configurations - so don't hesitate to reach out!
And, we have all the equipment and components you need to achieve efficiency and peace of mind. From 24v DC power supplies to 48v power supplies, enclosed power supplies, open frame power supplies, and much, much more - explore our full catalog or get in touch today!
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