primary and secondary side

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acer22

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How do you guys know which is the primary side and secondary side on different power boards ..I know that the primary side has the big filter cap and transformer ,but is there a way to know when you look at a pcb just learning and would like some tips for a novice.

Thanks
 

Hi,
Figure out whether your primary has high voltage or secondary has high voltage.
Depending on that look at the voltage rating of the capacitors, ie, the side (primary or secondary) that has high voltage will have high voltage capacitors.
Determine which side has greater current flowing through. That part on the board will have larger PCB traces to allow that much more current to flow through.
Hope this helps.
Tahmid.
 

Hali,
I belief, these is a question of definition
Generally means primary is the input & secondary the output side!
What kind of voltage/current their are/has >> its a second rang of question.
K.
 

In my opinion is the only way to know some over the real circuit on the board & it depends of kind of your PCB... I mean; what kind of a switcher is it?
If you have thicker (EMC) filter & bridge + a (or2) bigger capacitor for 3-400V:it is a line input for 120/230V, but the primer can be for only 5V dedicated too etcetera...
Than, if you have a UPS or a DC/DC eventually a DC/AC board: ? than is a decision only withe some knowledge over the (parts of) circuit irrealistic.
K.
 

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