Linear Power Supply Dimensioning

Given an output power and load, calculate the required rail voltage, capacitance, and transformer power rating

Formulas adapted from Signal Transfer Co web page:

http://www.signaltransfer.freeuk.com/powerout.htm

User Input: Amplifier Full-Power Output, Dissipation, and Load:

4
ohm, nominal load impedance
100
Watts, maximum power delivered to load by amplifier
53
Watts, dissipated power (as heat) at maximum amplifier output power (see note 3)
4
Vod: output drop out voltage = Vrail - Vout,peak
60
Mains Frequency [Hz] (50Hz or 60Hz)

32.28
28.28
7.07
2.25
1.64

Vrail,required: to achieve the specified power output into the specified load, the rail
voltage must be equal to or greater than this voltage (for split rail PS)
Vout,peak: peak voltage that output devices can deliver from Vrail,required
Ipeak: peak current delivered to load at full power assuming zero phase angle
Irms: RMS current delivered to load at full power
Idiss: RMS current resulting from dissipated power

Calculating rail voltage ripple given capcitance value (for EACH rail)
10,000
C [uF] <-- user input
2.34
Vripple resulting Vripple
1.272
Iripple [rms amps]
Calculating required capcitance value (for EACH rail) for a given rail voltage ripple
1
Vripple <-- user input
23,354
C [uF] required C per rail
1.272
Iripple [rms amps]

Transformer Info (see note 1):

3.89
full power RMS current demand (from transformer secondary)
48.11
required secondary (AC) voltage to achieve Vrail,required (assumes two diode
drops of 0.7V each) while supplying full power
24.06
required secondary (AC) voltages, as above, when using dual rail power supplies
187
minimum transformer VA rating for continuous operation of amplifier at the
specified power output into the specified load (see note 2)

NOTES:

NOTE 1: transformer secondary voltage requirements shown above are when the
transformer is under load. Under no-load conditions, the transformer secondary
voltage (or rated secondary voltage) may be significantly higher if a low VA transformer
is used. Transformer voltage sag and losses are not considered in the above
calculations.
NOTE 2: music signals consist of a (lower) average power level and peaks above the
average. If the average power level is significantly lower, the demand on the
transformer will be reduced and the continuous full power rating shown above is
excessive. Derating by as much as 50% is acceptable in some situations (depending
on the average power demand), however, this will result in much greater sag in the
secondary voltage, however, when demand is increased.
NOTE 3: For a class AB amplifier, the maximum power dissipation is calculated by:

For the data entered for the amplifier and load, Pd, max = 53 Watts