PSU filter cap leaked after a ground issue?

[CrysisLTU]

Re: PSU filter cap leaked after a ground issue?

" "removed the ac ground wire from the ground terminal and tied it to the DC ground on the power supply. Then I took a 250uf low ESR electrolytic, put the + side to the ac ground screw and tied the - to one of the dc ground screws as to make sure that any RF present on the chassis will have a definite low impedance to ground."
I see the input Ground Earth terminal, but do not see the DC Ground terminal.
Can you show exactly how the 250uF cap is connected to this power supply terminals?

The cap was connected between chassis ground and DC negative.
Here's how everything was connected: https://i.imgur.com/KXtnW9u.jpg
The cap was a little higher than 300uF I think, it was rated for around 300V, maybe higher.

Right now I tested continuity between DC negative and chassis ground - I can see that those two are not connected.

EDIT: oh shoot. Connected the hot water pipe connection wrong. Forgot about that completely... Sorry for confusion.
Corrected image: https://i.imgur.com/GxbHrGJ.jpg
Complete copy of what the dude has written, just in case: http://pastebin.com/ZFt9jkFw
Reading now, my problem is different than his...

[CrysisLTU]

Re: PSU filter cap leaked after a ground issue?

A video I recorded before the power supply failed, demonstrating the EMI/RFI: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x64hRllEPrs

Anyhow. I would just like to know if the power supply should work now with the new DC smoothing capacitors in place. If someone understands why the power supply failed in the first place, or if some other part of the PSU could of got damaged, please let me know. Otherwise, I'll be ready to test the power supply. But understanding why it failed in the first place would be great to know for me - I'm still young and there's still lots of things to learn Thanks for the help so far everyone, great little forum.

[SteveNielsen]

Re: PSU filter cap leaked after a ground issue?

If you've got the PSU back to original wiring then I'd go ahead and test it. Sometimes new parts in new equipment fail, but I suspect you connected something wrong and hit that cap with AC mains voltage.

For the RF noise problem:
Your DC power wires are way too long and are radiating the RF noise. If you need it that long then use a shielded pair cable.
If you still need to add filtering do it at the radio end of the DC power lines, not the PSU end.
Ground bond the chassis of the radio and the PSU together and check your antenna ground too.

[CrysisLTU]

Re: PSU filter cap leaked after a ground issue?

Okay, I'll test the PSU soon then.
I've got some more questions. Does it matter which way I hook up L and N to the PSU? And is it okay if I won't have any earth ground connected to it?

[SteveNielsen]

Re: PSU filter cap leaked after a ground issue?

Yes, L should go to the phase/hot AC line, and N to the nuetral. For basic PSU testing, the earth ground may not matter but bear in mind it is designed to be grounded and should be, and it definitely does matter in operation for your RFI noise problem.

[budm]

Re: PSU filter cap leaked after a ground issue?

I am curious as to what AC and DC Voltage readings you are getting when measure it between the -V terminal and the safety Ground terminal.

[Per Hansson]

Re: PSU filter cap leaked after a ground issue?

What budm said and also the readings between chassis ground & neutral

[CrysisLTU]

Re: PSU filter cap leaked after a ground issue?

One more thing before I test the supply.

On the PCB the right most connector is marked as AC/N, while the label on the chassis says that's L. Photo where you can see it: https://i.imgur.com/uVL1NDg.jpg

I've looked on other same type PSU's, neutral has the fuse, on the PCB it's marked as AC/N and it's marked on the chassis as N: https://imgur.com/a/lmeOU
On mine the PCB says it's N, and it has the fuse, but chassis sticker says it's L.

Now I'm confused - where should I connect live, and where neutral? :|

[SteveNielsen]

Re: PSU filter cap leaked after a ground issue?

I think the board is marked wrong and the fuse is on the line side which is usually how it's done.

[ben7]

Re: PSU filter cap leaked after a ground issue?

One more thing before I test the supply.

On the PCB the right most connector is marked as AC/N, while the label on the chassis says that's L. Photo where you can see it: https://i.imgur.com/uVL1NDg.jpg

I've looked on other same type PSU's, neutral has the fuse, on the PCB it's marked as AC/N and it's marked on the chassis as N: https://imgur.com/a/lmeOU
On mine the PCB says it's N, and it has the fuse, but chassis sticker says it's L.

Now I'm confused - where should I connect live, and where neutral? :|

Connect the PSU like it is marked on the chassis. Fuse should always be on the live, not the neutral.

If you still get the EMI interference, I suggest you get a linear power supply. They are big and heavy, but they don't make anywhere near as much EMI as the switching power supplies!

[SteveNielsen]

Re: PSU filter cap leaked after a ground issue?

Connect the PSU like it is marked on the chassis. Fuse should always be on the live, not the neutral.

If you still get the EMI interference, I suggest you get a linear power supply. They are big and heavy, but they don't make anywhere near as much EMI as the switching power supplies!

This is true. It may not have to be much bigger for this purpose either. What is the radio current draw on transmit?

[CrysisLTU]

Re: PSU filter cap leaked after a ground issue?

This is true. It may not have to be much bigger for this purpose either. What is the radio current draw on transmit?

Max 25A