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Current Sink Or Swim

posted on July 24, 2016

Overview

The current sink or swim is a self-powered current sink for testing devices like batteries, power supplies and more. Potentiometers give individual current and voltage control. A jumper allows external power (instead of “self power”) for applications where the current source does not have sufficient voltage.

Prerequisites

  • You should have understand how to use KiCad. Check out the following courses:
    • Shine On
    • Getting to Blinky
  • Hardware required
    • Soldering equipment

Learning Objectives

  • Create a current sink for your bench, to be used in future projects
  • Understand analog control, using operational amplifiers (op amps)
  • Measure and revise analog circuits

Access

This is a paid course, available to Apprentice, Journeyman, and Master Members of Contextual Electronics.

Course Content

Expand All | Collapse All
Lessons Status
1

Introduction to the CSOS
  • CSOS Sketchplanation
  • Setting Up SSH And Cloning CSOS with Git
  • Viewing the Reload and (optionally) installing EAGLE

2

Finding CSOS Components
  • Finding the Op Amp and Linear Regulator
  • Finding the CSOS resistor
  • Finding the FET
  • Finding The Heatsink

3

Creating the CSOS Schematic
  • Creating the repo and the project
  • Creating the initial CSOS schematic
  • Updating The CSOS Schematic With Part Numbers
  • Finding A Higher Rated Linear Regulator
  • Controlling The Power Burn
  • Breaking The CSOS Into Hierarchical Sheets

4

Simulating the CSOS
  • An early look at simulating the current sink
  • Simulating the current sink

5

Creating the CSOS Layout
  • Preliminary Association Of CSOS Components
  • Creating The CSOS Heatsink Footprint
  • CSOS Rough Board Outline
  • Replacing Terminal Block Footprints on the CSOS
  • Finding and Placing The CSOS Potentiometer
  • CSOS Resistive Divider Cleanup And Calculation
  • Initial CSOS Part Placement
  • CSOS Layout Session 1
  • CSOS Layout Session 2
  • CSOS Design Rule Checking
  • Adding graphics and viewing 3D to the CSOS
  • Checking CSOS Footprints and Generating Gerbers

6

Assembling the CSOS
  • Submitting Design Files To OSHpark
  • MPN Update and BOM Generation
  • Updating BOM Script And Ordering Parts
  • CSOS Design Wrap Up
  • Ordering Caps And Resistors for CSOS
  • CSOS Build Preparations
  • CSOS Assembly Part 1
  • CSOS Assembly Part 2
  • CSOS Assembly Part 3

7

Testing the CSOS
  • CSOS Test Part 1
  • Testing the DMM input (CSOS)
  • CSOS Test Part 2
  • CSOS Test Part 3
  • CSOS Test Part 4
  • CSOS Test Part 5
  • CSOS Test Part 6
  • CSOS Test Part 7

Filed Under: Project

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