I just got in this new power supply.

http://www.circuitspecialists.com/bench-power-supply-csi3303s.html

Instructions say to sort "a wire" between terminals and set the max current.

Does this sound right? I would assume that I would need the appropriate size wire for higher currents?

Do most lower end bench power supplies only have a resolution to hundredths of an amp and volt?

 

Wire ampacity chart

I would probably use AWG 20 or larger.

 

I was thinking of making a shorting bar out of a piece of aluminum. I think I have seen this on other power supplies?

 

Applying a short between the output terminals allows you to set a level of current that will you desire to protect any circuits you are testing. It doesn't take a very big wire to carry the full output of your power supply. (24AWG will carry 3.5 amps all day long)
Many entry level bench supplies don't even have digital meters and the analog meters are hard to interpret .01 amp. Unless you are doing very high accuracy experimenting, what you have is, as Tony the Tiger says, "GREAT!"

 

I was thinking of making a shorting bar out of a piece of aluminum. I think I have seen this on other power supplies?

If you're just using it to set the current limit, you can use anything that won't melt itself or your binding posts.
A heavy-duty momentary pushbutton on the front panel would have been handy.

 

I think you set current limits with voltage set to zero. At zero volts and shorted leads, the unit goes into "program mode" so you can set max current. I don't think current even flows, you are only setting the limit and using the current meter to view your set point.

 

I think you set current limits with voltage set to zero. At zero volts and shorted leads, the unit goes into "program mode" so you can set max current. I don't think current even flows, you are only setting the limit and using the current meter to view your set point.

Institutions say to set voltage to 3-5V.

 

Is this for calibration or general use?

In general use, I usually set the voltage low, then increase current, if the voltage keeps climbing beyond what is expected, I look for the problem.

For calibration of the display, any wire that can handle ~5A for a minute or two would work. So, 22 ga or larger.

 

If the wire you are using to connect the supply to your device cannot handle the current to do this test... then you've been using the wrong wire all along.