[Elecraft] Tripp Lite Power Supply

[bprats at telis.org]

The first thing that comes to mind is switching frequency and EMI filtering.
I'm sure that Astron is a switching power supply, however, since my Tripp
Lite PR7B is not a switcher power supply but an analog power supply and
similar to your PR10bTripp Lite, there is the answer. Also, check the Tripp
Lite web site for these models.

The Astron produces DC output in part by rapidly turning the 115 VAC input
into chopped up DC voltage, maybe 12 to 15 volts,  then passes this current
through a filter to clean up the spikes (AC and EMI(maybe)) on the way to
the output.  The chopping is controlled by an oscillator, sort of, and of
course, there is a slight emission from these actions. The oscillator is
also part of the voltage regulation functions. Notice how light the Astron
weighs, no big transformer, light weight, compact, excellent regulation but
it could have slight emissions or some noise on the DC.  Normally not.

The PR7B uses an old fashion analog circuit with a heavy transformer to
convert 115VAC to a value around 20VAC (no chopping) then rectifies or
removes the AC component to smooth the output into DC through solid state
diodes and capacitors, no chopping, no hash, so it generates very clean
output.  Of course, there is a voltage regulator to help maintain stable
output.  The draw back is that it is large, heavy and gets warm.

Sorry about the layman terms. The explanation is just a quicky overview.

Bill K6ACJ