What is a switching power supply? Switch Mode Power Supply (SMPS), also known as switching power supply and switching converter, is a high-frequency power conversion device and a kind of power supply. Its function is to convert a quasi-voltage into the voltage or current required by the user through different forms of architecture. The input of the switching power supply is mostly AC power supply (such as mains) or DC power supply, while the output is mostly equipment that requires DC power supply, such as a personal computer, and the switching power supply converts voltage and current between the two. The switching transistor used in the switching power supply is mostly switched between the fully open mode (saturation zone) and the fully closed mode (cut-off zone), both modes have the characteristics of low dissipation, and the conversion between the switching will have a higher dissipation, but the time is very short, so it is more energy-saving and produces less waste heat. Ideally, the switching power supply itself does not consume electrical energy. Voltage regulation is achieved by adjusting the timing of transistor conduction and circuit breaking. Conversely, in the process of generating the output voltage of a linear power supply, the transistor operates in the amplification area, which itself consumes electrical energy. The high conversion efficiency of the switching power supply is one of its major advantages, and because the switching power supply works at a high frequency, a transformer with a small size and light weight can be used, so the switching power supply will be smaller than the linear power supply, and the weight will be relatively light.
If the high efficiency, volume and weight of the power supply are the key considerations, the switching power supply is better than the linear power supply. However, the switching power supply is more complex, the internal transistors will be switched frequently, if the switching current is still processed, it may produce noise and electromagnetic interference to affect other equipment, and if the switching power supply is not specially designed, its power supply power factor may not be high.

Switching power supply use

Switching power supply products are widely used in industrial automation control, military equipment, scientific research equipment, LED lighting, industrial control equipment, communication equipment, power equipment, instrumentation, medical equipment, semiconductor refrigeration and heating, air purifiers, electronic refrigerators, liquid crystal displays, LED lamps, communication equipment, audio-visual products, security monitoring, LED light strips, computer cases, digital products and instruments and other fields.