Bleeder resistor
resistor used to slowly de-energize a power supply when turned off
In electronics, a bleeder resistor, bleeder load, leakage resistor, capacitor discharge resistor or safety discharge resistor is a resistor connected in parallel with the output of a high-voltage power supply circuit for the purpose of discharging the electric charge stored in the power supply's filter capacitors when the equipment is turned off, for safety reasons. It eliminates the possibility of a leftover charge causing electric shock if people handle or service the equipment in the off state, believing it is safe. A bleeder resistor is usually a standard resistor rather than a specialized component.
Operation
Power supply circuits in electronic equipment that use rectifier circuits to produce direct current (DC) from the alternating current (AC) supplied by mains use filter capacitors to smooth the DC current. A large electric charge can remain in these capacitors after the unit is turned off, constituting a shock hazard. These must typically store enough energy at this high voltage to power the load during the zero crossings of the AC input. In addition, the capacitors in many supplies are made large enough to supply the load during AC outages lasting for a significant fraction of a second.
This stored charge, which is often enough to deliver a lethal shock, can remain in the capacitors for a long time after the unit has been turned off. It can be a potentially lethal shock hazard for the user or maintenance and servicing personnel, who may believe that because the device is turned off or unplugged it is safe. Therefore, to discharge the capacitor after the supply has been turned off, a large value resistor is connected across its terminals.
“Bleeder resistor” enters the record as resistor used to slowly de-energize a power supply when turned off. Crown Archives preserves that source wording while asking what Bleeder, resistor and used can confirm, complicate or overturn.
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