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Registered Member #190
Joined: Fri Feb 17 2006, 12:00AM
Location:
Posts: 1567
Based on a comment from a previous thread, I have been reading about switched power supplies. I build a simple power supply years ago using a step-down transformer, rectifiers and capacitors, and for my purposes it functions well enough. If I understand correctly, a switched power supply stores energy in an inducutor by turning a fet or transistor on/off. What advantage does this offer over the way I did it?
Registered Member #152
Joined: Sun Feb 12 2006, 03:36PM
Location: Czech Rep.
Posts: 3384
A switching power supply uses ferrite magnetic components (chokes/transformers) which operate at a high frequency (tens to hundreds of kHz). This allows for considerable weigth reduction of the supply. It also offers better regulation of the output voltage without dissipating extra power in a linear regulator.
The improved performance can mean better efficiency, better line & load regulation, 120/240V supply acceptance etc.
The downsides of a switched mode design are usually higher line and load side noise, complex design and more complicated to test properly, longer design leadtime, and a much greater risk of getting something wrong!
Switched Mode Power Supply design IS a specialist field, which requires knowledge of power electronics design, magnetics design, thermal management, PCB layout, control theory and EMI management / RF design. Even the professionals frequently overlook something and SMPSUs go to market with little design flaws.
For the reasons stated above, I would always recommend a linear power supply for hobby projects unless it is going to go into high-volume production where the reduced cost/size/shipping weight become important. OR unless the high efficiency of a well-designed SMPS is the only viable way of meeting the design spec.
Registered Member #190
Joined: Fri Feb 17 2006, 12:00AM
Location:
Posts: 1567
Thanks for the answers. This certainly clears things up. I was able to put together my supply in few hours and it works well. I can put out over 10A, but I rarely need more than a couple so my voltage regulation is fine for my needs. The switched design is interesting, but nothing that I need at this time.
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Switched power supplies
