Switching power supply and linear power supply are the two most important designs of power supply. The power supply is an electrical device whose purpose is to convert the current into the voltage and frequency required by the load device to provide power.
Linear power supply: The linear power supply uses a transformer to reduce the AC voltage, and then converts the AC voltage into a DC voltage for filtering to improve the quality. The disadvantages of linear power supplies are that they are heavier, larger, and less efficient.
Switching Power Supply: Switching power supplies solve some of the problems of linear power supply applications. First of all, the switching power supply does not reduce the voltage like a linear power supply. It allows the voltage to be rectified and filtered before passing through a chopper to convert it into a high-frequency pulse train. After being rectified and filtered again, it reaches the output port. For linear power supplies, switching power supplies are smaller, lighter, and more efficient.
As the name implies, the din rail switching power supply is a switching power supply installed on the din rail. It appears in many application fields. For example wind and hydropower, automated industry, mechanical engineering, etc.
What are the different types of switching power supplies?
The main difference in switching power supplies is the classification according to the circuit topology. According to the circuit topology, switching power supplies can be divided into two types: isolated and non-isolated. Isolation generally refers to isolation between the input and output. Isolated power supplies usually use transformers to work, while non-isolated power supplies usually use chip conversion.
The isolated switching power supply is safer than the non-isolated switching power supply, but due to the need to use a transformer, the size will be larger and heavier than the non-isolated switching power supply. Non-isolated switching power supplies are usually more efficient and can be installed after an isolated switching power supply for safety reasons.
What should be considered when choosing a switching power supply?
When choosing a switching power supply, the following six factors should be considered:
Product parameters. Is the switching power supply used in a single-phase system or a three-phase system? What specifications of voltage and current are required?
Product size. Where is the switching power supply used? Whether the selected product size allows the installation location to have a certain space for air circulation, so as to prevent the equipment from being unable to dissipate heat effectively during operation.
Product use environment. How high is the ambient temperature, what is the humidity, and whether consider installing the product in a cabinet to reduce the impact of dust?
Product service life. The service life of the product is closely related to the efficiency, the lower the efficiency, the shorter the service life of the switching power supply, so high efficiency is an important factor to prolong the service life of the switching power supply.
Product certification. Different regions and markets will require different certification standards. A lack of certification standards can greatly reduce trust levels and slow down projects.
Product mix. It should be better to buy the whole set from one manufacturer, which is more convenient to match and easier to install.
Pros and cons of switching power supply
In actual use, switching power supplies have many advantages:
Lighter than linear power supply
There are more additional functions
Higher efficiency than the linear power supply
Small size, can be loaded into small equipment
Can provide wider output and input voltage range
However, due to the more complex production equipment of the switching power supply, it is more prone to failure. There will also be more obvious noise in actual use.
Switching power supply is suitable for high-efficiency and high-power applications, while linear power supply always consumes energy in the form of heat, and the efficiency is very low. In most cases, using a switching power supply is more suitable.
Common applications of switching power supply
Switching power supply has a wide range of applications, it can be used in stand-alone computers, electric vehicle charging, server rooms, telecommunications systems and security systems, etc.
For switching power supplies used in security systems, supplying voltage is only part of the job requirements. Monitoring and responding to changing conditions is also something that needs to be considered in addition to regular switching functions, Like sudden interruption of power supply, temporary increase of load equipment, etc. Some switching power supplies are tailor-made for specific applications in order to efficiently handle special situations.
Conclusion
In today’s electronic equipment, switching power supply has always been the product of choice based on advantages such as size, efficiency, and cost. Of course, it is also necessary to consider more factors including load and circuit, as well as the situation in practical applications.