Versatile power-supply load uses light bulbs

摘要

Improvising loads for bench-testing and designing power supplies is often a frustrating and sometimes hazardous experience. When you push large power resistors to their limit, they tend to burn benches and melt solder connections. Many electronic loads are on the market but are usually expensive and of laboratory-type precision and often represent overkill for the average designer. Incandescent light bulbs make excellent loads, able to handle large amounts of power.