Palisoc, Loren Dawn C.

MH/3:30-4:30pm
CEIT-05-902E Engr. Odilon Yangco
Assignment No. 2

Introduction:

Power Supply

A power supply is an electrical device that supplies electric power to an electrical load. The
primary function of a power supply is to convert electric current from a source to the
correct voltage, current, and frequency to power the load. As a result, power supplies are sometimes
referred to as electric power converters.

Some power supplies are separate standalone pieces of equipment, while others are built into
the load appliances that they power. Examples of the latter include power supplies found in desktop
computers and consumer electronics devices.

Other functions that power supplies may perform include limiting the current drawn by the load
to safe levels, shutting off the current in the event of an electrical fault, power conditioning to
prevent electronic noise or voltage surges on the input from reaching the load, power-factor correction,
and storing energy so it can continue to power the load in the event of a temporary interruption in the
source power (uninterruptible power supply).

There are three types of electronic power conversion devices in use today which are classified as
follows according to their input and output voltages:

1. The AC/DC power supply;

2. DC/DC converter;
3. The DC/AC inverter.

Each has its own area of use but this paper will only deal with the first two, which are the most
commonly used. A power supply converting AC line voltage to DC power must perform the following
functions at high efficiency and at low cost:

1. Rectification
Convert the incoming AC line voltage to DC voltage.
2. Voltage transformation
Supply the correct DC voltage level(s).
3. Filtering
Smooth the ripple of the rectified voltage.
4. Regulation
Control the output voltage level to a constant value irrespective of line, load and temperature
changes.
5. Isolation
Separate electrically the output from the input voltage source.
6. Protection
Prevent damaging voltage surges from reaching the output; provide back-up power or shut
down during a brown-out
Power Rating

Manufacturers usually list their power supplies' output in watts. A higher-watt PSU can supply
more power. Desktop power supplies have a power output rating of from 200 watts to 1800 watts (for
ultra-high-end, enthusiast-class products). Wattage ratings higher than that would exceed the
capabilities of a typical 15-ampere electrical outlet. The important number here is the one for sustained
or continuous power, not the one for peak power. Most power supplies can operate at peak power for
only brief periods.

Ideally your unit will delivers plenty of power to your components and offers some extra
headroom in case you want to attach additional components later. Most power supplies hit their peak
efficiency levels with loads in the range of 40 to 80 percent. Building to about 50 to 60 percent of a
PSU's capacity is advisable to achieve maximum efficiency and yet leave room for future expansion.

Linear Power Supply vs. Switching Power Supply

Linear Power Supply

The main features of a linear power supply are the transformer, large input capacitor, and large
transistor with a heat sink . Conventional linear power supplies use a low-frequency transformer
consisting of a core made from silicon steel sheet that converts AC mains to the desired voltage and
rectifies and filters the voltage to a DC level. Because equipment requires stable DC voltage, the filtered
and rectified DC level must be managed with a power regulator, which clamps excess voltage at a
specific level and dissipates unwanted voltage as heat.

Linear power supplies should have a limit on the variable range of the AC input voltage in order
to maintain the efficiency of the power supply. Linear power supplies clamp unwanted voltage as well as
ripple voltage, dissipating both as heat, resulting a very small ripple voltage. Linear power supplies have,
as the name implies, linear topology, meaning ripple noise and EMI are not a concern.

Switching Power Supply

A switching power supply improves many of its linear counter parts shortcomings, namely the
huge volume, considerable weight, and low efficiency. A switching power supply filters and rectifies the
voltage from the AC mains without a low-frequency transformer. Because of the high rectified voltage,
the bulk capacitor’s capacitance can be remarkably small. Switching power supplies have high-frequency
transistor’s that chop the high DC voltage into high AC voltage, converting it into a specified voltage with
a high-frequency transformer, and finally rectify and filter the voltage to a DC level. The high-frequency
switching of the diodes and the transistor creates ripple noises at the transient of switching.

Switching power supplies are smaller, lighter, and more efficient than linear power supplies,
which is why switching power supplies have become increasingly popular in field applications. In
addition, switching power supplies continue to come down in price. However, switching power
supplies have the disadvantages of having comparatively complicated circuitry, less stability, greater
ripple, slower transient response, and are subject to EMI (which can be reduced with filters). The choice
between linear and switching power supplies comes down to whether you will be working in the field.