Make A Floating Ground 12 V Server Power Supply - MakeNotes - de

3/24/2021 Make a floating ground 12 V server power supply – MakeNotes.
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Make a floating ground 12 V server power

supply
Posted on 30.04.2020
by cf (https://makenotes.de/author/cf/)
This article describes how to make a power supply with a so called oating
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ground (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Floating_ground)
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improve regular serverBy
user experience.
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power supply. This is needed for example when connection multiple DC power
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sources in series to reach a higher voltage. To understand why this is necessary,
https://makenotes.de/2020/04/make-a-floating-ground-12-v-server-power-supply/ 1/10
3/24/2021 Make a floating ground 12 V server power supply – MakeNotes.de
please check out my other article about making a oating ground power supply
(https://makenotes.de/2020/05/make-a-24-v-power-supply-from-two-12-v-
supplies/).
Mains voltage is dangerous and can be lethal!

Always make sure to unplug the device when working on it!
Even when disconnected, the capacitor(s) of a DC power supply can
store a high voltage/current for a signi cant amount of time. Always
make sure to isolate or discharge these components rst!
If you’re unsure or feel uncomfortable working on such devices —
don’t do it!
Before connecting any power supplies in series, all added power

supplies need to have a “ oating ground”. This means, there is still a
voltage of 12 V between GND and +12V (or whatever the voltage may
be), but the GND output isn’t connected to the case/PE anymore.
Only the rst supply’s GND may be tied to earth/PE.
Server power supplies (and many other power supplies), in most cases, use one
or more of their metal PCB standoffs, to connect to the casing and therefore the
PE conductor. This is done by simply putting a exposed GND pad where the
standoff later touches the PCB. This connection needs to be undone.
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Finding the connections
(https://makenotes.de/wp-
content/uploads/2020/04/IMG_20200430_105519.jpg)
This is where the PCB is screwed down to the case. Don’t isolate them all!
The best way to do this properly, is to remove the whole PCB of the power
supply, disconnect it from the case, turn it around and measure between the
pads (if any) at the screw holes. You may nd, that all, only some or only one is
connected to the GND plane of the PCB. Don’t just trust what others say,
measure it yourself! Also note, that there is a difference between the DC GND
and the AC “GND”/PE. The AC PE connector should always be connected to the
primary (AC input)
nutzen, stimmen side of the
Sie der Verwendung power
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the secondary (DC output) side needs to be isolated. There is usually a air gap
on the PCB where primary and secondary sides meet.
So basically every screw hole pad, that is connected to (DC) GND (see picture
below on the right side) needs to be isolated. If you don’t understand why,
please check out the drawings in my other article
(https://makenotes.de/2020/04/make-a- oating-ground-12-v-server-power-
supply/).
Backside of the power supply’s PCB.
Only isolate screws that actually need to be isolated! Don’t just replace all
stand-offs with nylon spacers/washers and nylon screws! The connection to PE
on the primary side of the PCB is actually needed for ltering purposes! Always
reconnect the green/yellow PE conductor near the IEC connector! The case
needs to be connected to PE, for its protective function to work. Also there may
be some holes already isolated fromyou

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copper pad
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around them).
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This hole already *looks* like not connected to GND or PE. But always measure and check to make
sure! In this case it indeed wasn’t connected, but there could have been connections on the upper
side of the PCB.
In this example (see pictures), only one stand-off needed to be isolated,

because the two on the left are only connected to PE and “AC GND” (primary
side) anyway and the one on the bottom right wasn’t connected to anything at
all (except the case, when put together again). The one on the top right is
connected to DC
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after reassembly — therefore
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Isolating the connection
To allow a nylon/plastic spacer/washer to t between PCB and stand-off, a little bit of the metal
needs to be taken off with a metal le. Make sure to clean out the case carefully after.
There are multiple ways to isolate the PCB from the metal stand-off:
Nylon washer between case stand-off and bottom part of the PCB.
Drill out the whole stand-off and use (a bigger) nylon stand-off and screw.
Clean out the metal chippings after drilling!
File down the metal part and use a nylon washer and a nylon screw. Clean
the metal dust carefully after, since it’s conductive!
Use a shoulder or insulation washer(s) to isolate the hole from the metal
screw. These washers are specially made for this. This is the cleanest way
in my
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stimmen opinion.
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Use two nylon washers (top/bottom of PCB) and a metal screw, but only, if
the insides of the hole on the PCB aren’t conductive and there’s a little
space between the pad on the surface at the edge of the hole itself. Be
careful with this one and inspect the hole with a continuity tester to make
sure, the screw won’t touch any conductive parts. If unsure, use a nylon
screw.
Nylon washer between screw and top side PCB (use a nylon screw for this, if unsure!). The resistor
and bridge soldered to the contact pads, are explained in my other article
(https://makenotes.de/2020/04/turning-on-a-hp-dps-750rb-server-power-supply/).
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After carefully putting everything back together again (make sure to put back
the black insulation foil and other insulation tape, like it was before) the
following measurements should be made:
Continuity between center PE pin on the IEC connector and the case
No continuity between the case and the GND (DC negative) pin.
In nite resistance between GND and PE (not even Megaohms!).
Turned on: 12 V (or a little bit more) voltage between GND and +12V.
Turned on: 0 V voltage between case and +12V.
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3/24/2021 Make a floating ground 12 V server power supply – MakeNotes.

Make a floating ground 12 V server power

Mains voltage is dangerous and can be lethal!

Before connecting any power supplies in series, all added power

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be some holes already isolated fromyou

In this example (see pictures), only one stand-off needed to be isolated,

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Isolating the connection

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1 Reply to “Make a floating ground 12 V server power supply”

Pingback: Make a 24 V power supply from two 12 V supplies – MakeNotes.de

Proudly powered by WordPress (https://wordpress.org/)

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