Power Supply (The Making Part I)

         For us to pass this subject ,Tech 101, our instructor required us to submit an electronic device in which we should make by ourselves, I and my partner.

      A power supply is used to supply energy to one or more electronic loads. Every power supply must obtain the needed energy it supplies to its loads. The type of this power supply we made is an Electronic Energy Transmission System, which converts AC line voltage to DC line voltage.

First Day {Sept. 13,2011}

     On this day, our instructor gave us the needed set of materials, which we ordered from Manila, in making our power supply. This set of material consists of  2  pieces printed circuit board, 4 pieces of diodes, 1 piece of resistor, 2 pieces of capacitors, lead, ferric chloride, fuse, switch and the case.

First Step: Cleaning the PCB 

     On this day, we started to make our own printed circuit board. First, using the sand paper, Jessica smoothed the edges of the board, for us to avoid cuts on our hands. Then Jorrel, cleaned the solder part until no unwanted spots and fingerprints can be seen on the board.

Cleaning the PCB using an eraser.

Second Step: Designing the PCB

     Next thing we did, Jessica covered the solder side with masking tape and made sure there was no air between the tape and the board to prevent the ferric chloride in dissolving the essential part of the PCB.
      

     A copy of the design was given, for us to use as a pattern for the PCB. Beneath it, was a carbon paper that helped in tracing the design. Jorrel covered it on top of the masking tape and Jessica traced the design and shaded it after.

Copying the design of the given pattern for the PCB.

The result outcome of the pattern.

Cutting the untraced part using a cutter.

     The purpose of cutting part is to allow the ferric chloride in dissolving the untraced part of the board, so that traced part will remain.

Third Step:  Etching the PCB

     

     Before etching we made sure that the weather is very hot to have a successful outcome. Using gloves, we prepared a small container and put enough amount of ferric chloride on it to cover the whole PCB. In less than 10 minutes of waiting, the copper of the uncovered part has been dissolved by the ferric chloride.

Soaking the PCB with Ferric Chloride.

 Note : In etching , better doing it outside, but made sure its not direct to sunlight.

     After soaking, Jessica pulled the PCB out of the container and placed it under running water. Jorrel gently wiped the wet board by a soft cloth, and here is the outcome after etching;

This is how it looks after etching.