Bench Power Supplies

A bench power supply delivers clean, adjustable DC to a circuit on test — the workhorse of any electronics bench, from R&D and manufacturing test to service, repair and college labs. Rapid stocks linear and switching supplies across single- and multi-channel formats, with the current, voltage and channel options to match the work, from compact single-output units for the service bench to programmable multi-channel instruments for development. The supply sits alongside the wider test and measurement range for kitting out a bench in one place.

Choosing a bench power supply

What should I look for when choosing one?

Start with the output range — maximum voltage and current — and allow headroom above your typical load rather than buying to the exact figure. Then weigh the number of channels, the regulation type (linear or switching), and the resolution and accuracy of the display. For development and test work, adjustable current limiting is essential; for repeatable set-ups, programmable memories save time.

Linear or switching — what's the difference?

Linear supplies give the lowest noise and ripple, which matters for sensitive analogue, audio and RF work, but are heavier and less efficient. Switching supplies are lighter, more efficient and deliver more power for their size, with slightly more output noise. Choose linear for low-noise precision work and switching where power density and efficiency matter more.

Why does current limiting matter?

Adjustable current limiting caps the current the supply will deliver, so a wiring error or fault is held to a safe level rather than damaging the circuit under test or its components. It's the single most useful protective feature on a bench supply — invaluable in development, fault-finding and any teaching lab where mistakes are expected.

What else pairs with a bench supply?

Most benches add a bench multimeter for measurement and an oscilloscope for viewing signals, with an electronic load for testing supplies and batteries under load. All sit within the wider test and measurement range.