PSU bus board

Building a eurorack synthesizer can be an exciting and rewarding experience for any DIY enthusiast. But when it comes to powering your modules, a reliable and efficient power supply and power buss are essential to keep your system running smoothly. In this blog post, I will delve into the conception and build of a PSU bus board for a eurorack synthesizer, capable of passing +12V -12V +5V GND, CV, GATE.

The PSU bus board serves as the central hub for distributing power and control signals to your eurorack modules. The layout of the bus board depends on various factors such as the size and shape of your eurorack case and the number and placement of your modules.

In my case, I decided to go for a 24 slot bus card with a total length of 465 millimeters. This decision was influenced by the fact that I have a 104hp case with many small modules. Therefore, a larger number of slots was more suitable for accommodating them.

To ensure maximum flexibility, I used a double-sided design for my PSU bus board, enabling easy coupling or uncoupling of CV and GATE signals from both sides of the board. Furthermore, I incorporated 24 evenly spaced power headers capable of passing +12V, -12V, +5V, and GND, with 12 headers on each side of the board. This arrangement provides an optimal distribution of power to all my modules and accommodates future expansion.

After designing the board, I proceeded to fabricate it. I used a PCB manufacturer JLCPCB to produce the board, which was then populated with the necessary components. The populated board was then tested as well as signal coupling and uncoupling.

After ensuring the board's performance, I mounted it in my eurorack case, connected it to the power supply, and tested it by connecting my modules. Everything worked perfectly :)

In conclusion, building a PSU bus board for a eurorack synthesizer is a crucial step in ensuring proper power distribution. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can design and build a reliable and efficient bus board for your eurorack system.