Complete HeNe Laser Power Supply Schematics
This chapter presents a variety of circuits for basic power supplies, including both line-powered and inverter types, some of which feature regulators, modulation inputs, and additional functionalities. Several circuits have been reverse-engineered from actual commercial products, and others, designed and tested by the author, are suitable for various power ratings using commonly available components. This collection includes power supplies appropriate for HeNe tubes or laser heads with optical output power ranging from 0.5 to 35 mW and beyond. A section titled "HeNe Laser Power Supply Selection Guide" assists in identifying the most suitable power supplies for specific HeNe tubes, whether in their original form or with minor modifications. Many of these circuits can be customized for specific applications, such as high-power HeNe tubes or lasers requiring multiple power supply feeds and separate starters.
Caution is advised, as accessible parts of the power supply and laser head should be connected to earth ground via a three-prong power cord to mitigate the risk of electric shock in case of a fault condition and to prevent any slight tingling from high voltage capacitive coupling. If issues arise with an existing power supply, it may indicate insulation or wiring problems that need to be addressed. Adding a ground to the laser head case without resolving other issues may cause the power supply to fail. Some commercial HeNe laser power supplies may lack explicit grounding in their schematics, though they may assume a logical connection point for an Alden-type (two-wire) connection to the laser head; however, a few commercial designs utilize three wires with a separate ground.
The document contains numerous complete HeNe laser power supply schematics, and users are warned humorously about the potential for a "singularity" due to the sheer volume of information. For clarification on various designations, such as X, Y, HV+, Tube-, etc., used in the schematics, refer to the section titled "Notation used in HeNe Laser Power Supply Diagrams and Schematics." Currently, only X-ray views of many commercial HeNe laser power supply bricks are available, but they can be reverse-engineered to create accurate schematics with component values and wire color information. A chart is provided listing each power supply with its corresponding approximate range of HeNe tube output power that can be handled without modification. While higher or lower wattage HeNe tubes can typically be accommodated by adjusting component values (e.g., transformer, capacitor, and diode voltage ratings), it is important to verify the specifications of individual tubes before proceeding with any purchases or constructions. The summary of power supplies is organized by their appearance, with maximum power output based on the original circuit rather than any modifications that may be suggested. The minimum power output, particularly for switch-mode types, can often be reduced by decreasing the input voltage.
The circuits described are designed to cater to a wide range of applications, providing flexibility for users seeking to power HeNe lasers effectively. Each circuit's design incorporates essential components such as transformers, capacitors, and diodes, all of which must be selected based on the specific requirements of the HeNe tubes being utilized. The ability to modify these power supplies allows for customization, enabling users to adapt the circuits to unique operational needs, whether it involves scaling the power output or integrating additional functionalities like current sensing or modulation capabilities.
As with any electronic design, thorough testing and validation of the circuits are crucial to ensure safety and functionality. Proper grounding and adherence to electrical standards are emphasized to prevent hazards associated with high-voltage applications. This comprehensive approach to HeNe laser power supply design aims to empower users with the knowledge and tools necessary to create reliable and efficient power supplies for their laser systems.This chapter provides a variety of circuits of both line powered and inverter types for the basic power supply, some with regulators, modulation inputs, and other goodies. Several have been reverse engineered from actual working commercial products. Some of these have been modified or enhanced to provide additional capabilities like current sensin g or modulation. I have designed (and in most cases, constructed and tested as well) the others (those with names starting with "Sam`s") for various power ratings and capabilities using commonly available parts in most cases. This collection includes power supplies suitable for almost any HeNe tube or laser head with an optical output power from.
5 to 35 mW - and beyond. See the section: HeNe Laser Power Supply Selection Guide to identify the one (or more!) that may be most suitable for your collection of HeNe tubes as-is or with minor modifications. And, most of these circuits can be easily modified for your specific needs: For example, a very high power HeNe tube or a weird laser requiring multiple power supply feeds and separate starters CAUTION: Although not explicitly shown in some schematics, accessible parts of the power supply and laser head should be connected to earth ground via a three-prong power cord.
This protects against a dangerous shock hazard should there be a fault condition and also eliminates any possibility of even a slight tingle due to capacitive coupling of high voltages. Where such a problem is detected with an existing power supply, there is likely an insulation or wiring problem in either the supply or laser head which should be corrected.
If a ground is simply added to the laser head case, the power supply may fail due to a problem elsewhere. CAUTION: Where a ground was not shown on some of the commercial HeNe laser power supplies, its schematic may show one in the logical place assuming an Alden-type (2 wire) connection to the laser head.
However, a few commercial power supplies used 3 wires with a separate ground. WARNING: There are so many complete HeNe laser power supply schematics in this one document that their combined mass may cause a singularity to form inside your computer. :-) The lawyers made me include this statement - honest. ;-) Note: For an explanation of the meanings of various designations like X, Y, HV+, Tube-, etc. , used in these schematics, see the section: Notation used in HeNe Laser Power Power Supply Diagrams and Schematics.
At the present time, only X-ray views (courtesy of James Sweet) are available for many of the commercial HeNe laser power supply bricks. However, any trained monkey should be able to easily reverse engineer these to create a fully accurate schematic complete with component values and wire colors.
;-) The chart below lists each of the power supplies for which there are schematics along with the approximate range of HeNe tube output power that it can handled by that design without modification. In most cases, higher or lower wattage HeNe tubes can be accommodated by scaling the component values (e.
g. , transformer, capacitor, and diode voltage ratings). Since the actual voltage and current can vary quite a bit among different model HeNe tubes even if they are rated at the same output power, use this only as a guide - check the specifications of your tube(s) before buying or building anything! The following summary is listed in the order of their appearance (more or less). Note that the maximum power output in the table below is based on the original circuit, not on any possible modifications that might be suggested.
And the minimum power output, especially for switchmode types, can generally go much lower by reducing the input voltage. Desig- Power Regu- Modu- <- Tube Output Power (mW) -> nation Input lation lation -. 5 1 2 3 5 7 10 15 25 35 + - ES-HL1 AC - - * LS-200 AC L - * LS-220 AC L - * ML-360 AC - - * ML-420 AC - - * ML-620 AC L - * ME-620
🔗 External reference
Caution is advised, as accessible parts of the power supply and laser head should be connected to earth ground via a three-prong power cord to mitigate the risk of electric shock in case of a fault condition and to prevent any slight tingling from high voltage capacitive coupling. If issues arise with an existing power supply, it may indicate insulation or wiring problems that need to be addressed. Adding a ground to the laser head case without resolving other issues may cause the power supply to fail. Some commercial HeNe laser power supplies may lack explicit grounding in their schematics, though they may assume a logical connection point for an Alden-type (two-wire) connection to the laser head; however, a few commercial designs utilize three wires with a separate ground.
The document contains numerous complete HeNe laser power supply schematics, and users are warned humorously about the potential for a "singularity" due to the sheer volume of information. For clarification on various designations, such as X, Y, HV+, Tube-, etc., used in the schematics, refer to the section titled "Notation used in HeNe Laser Power Supply Diagrams and Schematics." Currently, only X-ray views of many commercial HeNe laser power supply bricks are available, but they can be reverse-engineered to create accurate schematics with component values and wire color information. A chart is provided listing each power supply with its corresponding approximate range of HeNe tube output power that can be handled without modification. While higher or lower wattage HeNe tubes can typically be accommodated by adjusting component values (e.g., transformer, capacitor, and diode voltage ratings), it is important to verify the specifications of individual tubes before proceeding with any purchases or constructions. The summary of power supplies is organized by their appearance, with maximum power output based on the original circuit rather than any modifications that may be suggested. The minimum power output, particularly for switch-mode types, can often be reduced by decreasing the input voltage.
The circuits described are designed to cater to a wide range of applications, providing flexibility for users seeking to power HeNe lasers effectively. Each circuit's design incorporates essential components such as transformers, capacitors, and diodes, all of which must be selected based on the specific requirements of the HeNe tubes being utilized. The ability to modify these power supplies allows for customization, enabling users to adapt the circuits to unique operational needs, whether it involves scaling the power output or integrating additional functionalities like current sensing or modulation capabilities.
As with any electronic design, thorough testing and validation of the circuits are crucial to ensure safety and functionality. Proper grounding and adherence to electrical standards are emphasized to prevent hazards associated with high-voltage applications. This comprehensive approach to HeNe laser power supply design aims to empower users with the knowledge and tools necessary to create reliable and efficient power supplies for their laser systems.This chapter provides a variety of circuits of both line powered and inverter types for the basic power supply, some with regulators, modulation inputs, and other goodies. Several have been reverse engineered from actual working commercial products. Some of these have been modified or enhanced to provide additional capabilities like current sensin g or modulation. I have designed (and in most cases, constructed and tested as well) the others (those with names starting with "Sam`s") for various power ratings and capabilities using commonly available parts in most cases. This collection includes power supplies suitable for almost any HeNe tube or laser head with an optical output power from.
5 to 35 mW - and beyond. See the section: HeNe Laser Power Supply Selection Guide to identify the one (or more!) that may be most suitable for your collection of HeNe tubes as-is or with minor modifications. And, most of these circuits can be easily modified for your specific needs: For example, a very high power HeNe tube or a weird laser requiring multiple power supply feeds and separate starters CAUTION: Although not explicitly shown in some schematics, accessible parts of the power supply and laser head should be connected to earth ground via a three-prong power cord.
This protects against a dangerous shock hazard should there be a fault condition and also eliminates any possibility of even a slight tingle due to capacitive coupling of high voltages. Where such a problem is detected with an existing power supply, there is likely an insulation or wiring problem in either the supply or laser head which should be corrected.
If a ground is simply added to the laser head case, the power supply may fail due to a problem elsewhere. CAUTION: Where a ground was not shown on some of the commercial HeNe laser power supplies, its schematic may show one in the logical place assuming an Alden-type (2 wire) connection to the laser head.
However, a few commercial power supplies used 3 wires with a separate ground. WARNING: There are so many complete HeNe laser power supply schematics in this one document that their combined mass may cause a singularity to form inside your computer. :-) The lawyers made me include this statement - honest. ;-) Note: For an explanation of the meanings of various designations like X, Y, HV+, Tube-, etc. , used in these schematics, see the section: Notation used in HeNe Laser Power Power Supply Diagrams and Schematics.
At the present time, only X-ray views (courtesy of James Sweet) are available for many of the commercial HeNe laser power supply bricks. However, any trained monkey should be able to easily reverse engineer these to create a fully accurate schematic complete with component values and wire colors.
;-) The chart below lists each of the power supplies for which there are schematics along with the approximate range of HeNe tube output power that it can handled by that design without modification. In most cases, higher or lower wattage HeNe tubes can be accommodated by scaling the component values (e.
g. , transformer, capacitor, and diode voltage ratings). Since the actual voltage and current can vary quite a bit among different model HeNe tubes even if they are rated at the same output power, use this only as a guide - check the specifications of your tube(s) before buying or building anything! The following summary is listed in the order of their appearance (more or less). Note that the maximum power output in the table below is based on the original circuit, not on any possible modifications that might be suggested.
And the minimum power output, especially for switchmode types, can generally go much lower by reducing the input voltage. Desig- Power Regu- Modu- <- Tube Output Power (mW) -> nation Input lation lation -. 5 1 2 3 5 7 10 15 25 35 + - ES-HL1 AC - - * LS-200 AC L - * LS-220 AC L - * ML-360 AC - - * ML-420 AC - - * ML-620 AC L - * ME-620
🔗 External reference
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