Bias Supply Filtering

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FYL
Posts: 654
Joined: Fri Feb 17, 2006 1:05 am

Re: Bias Supply Filtering

Post by FYL »

With 100K preceeding a 100uF cap in a simple 'Dumble-like" bias circuit with bias derived off a dedicated low VAC secondary winding, it would take about 47 seconds (5 RC time constants) for the cap to charge up to 99%. Fortunately, that resistance is typically 1 to 10K (the bias range resistor), and 99% charge typically occurs in roughly 0.5 - 5 seconds.
Hence the golden rule: high Z bias supplies - with bias voltage derived from a HV winding thru a large resistor - should use small caps, typically 10µF; low Z supplies - with bias derived from a dedicated tap, winding or transformer thru a small resistor - can use larger caps, typically 100 µF.
PCollen
Posts: 219
Joined: Sun Nov 23, 2008 1:47 pm

Re: Bias Supply Filtering

Post by PCollen »

FYL wrote:
With 100K preceeding a 100uF cap in a simple 'Dumble-like" bias circuit with bias derived off a dedicated low VAC secondary winding, it would take about 47 seconds (5 RC time constants) for the cap to charge up to 99%. Fortunately, that resistance is typically 1 to 10K (the bias range resistor), and 99% charge typically occurs in roughly 0.5 - 5 seconds.
Hence the golden rule: high Z bias supplies - with bias voltage derived from a HV winding thru a large resistor - should use small caps, typically 10µF; low Z supplies - with bias derived from a dedicated tap, winding or transformer thru a small resistor - can use larger caps, typically 100 µF.
In future builds using this type bias circuit, I'm thinking of using 50uF up front, with another 8-10uF on the actual bias voltage feed.
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FYL
Posts: 654
Joined: Fri Feb 17, 2006 1:05 am

Re: Bias Supply Filtering

Post by FYL »

In future builds using this type bias circuit, I'm thinking of using 50uF up front, with another 8-10uF on the actual bias voltage feed.
The largest cap will set the time constant. Using 50µF is OK with a low Z supply.
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