Power supplies are an essential part of everyday life, with many pieces of equipment and

machinery relying on an adequate supply of high voltage power in order to function. Despite

being relatively unknown by the average person, they are often used in everyday machinery

such as baggage scanners, as well as in many different types of specialist equipment across a

wide variety of applications.

To simplify what can often be viewed as a complex process, power supplies work by supplying

electrical energy to one or more electric loads, and so a high voltage supply will convert a lower

voltage potential to a higher voltage potential. In essence then, the key role of a power supply

is to control the voltage potential of an electrical current by either lowering or raising the output

potential.

As well as being used in everyday machinery, high voltage power supplies are often a core part

of many industrial and scientific apparatus. As technology advances and becomes increasingly

complex, it is likely that more and more high voltage power supplies will be required to cope with

these changing demands. For example in the semiconductor fabrication process (including ion

implantation, ion and vapour deposition and wafer inspection) high voltage power supplies are

fundamental in ensuring that electricity is highly controllable, stable and reliable.

In terms of scientific applications, high voltage supplies are often used to enable analysis. This

includes photomultiplier modular power supplies which are used in Gamma Cameras, through

to Electron Gun power supplies which are utilised in scanning electron microscopes, as well as

other systems whereby high performance is paramount to the task in hand.

Whilst there is currently an array of power supply options already available on the market, it

may at some point be necessary to develop a custom made power supply. For example if the

application is very specific, such as a medical laser or device it may need to be tailored to the

company’s specific requirements.

Due to the bespoke nature of these products, it will be necessary to liaise with the customer

in order to gain a detailed understanding of their exact requirements. Power supply failure can

have catastrophic effects and therefore it is absolutely crucial that the supply can stand up to

whatever conditions are thrown at it. This means that the supply will be thoroughly tested, not

only under normal working conditions but after careful consideration of every scenario that

could possibly affect the system whilst in use. And as every application is unique in some way,

research into and comprehension of the long uses of the device is absolutely key.