AC To DC Converter Power Supply

The following is a basic introduction to linear and switching AC-DC power supplies.

Power supply line

Simple linear AC-DC power supply. It uses a transformer to lower the AC (AC) input voltage. Reduced AC voltage is rectified and transformed into DC, which is filtered to improve waveform quality.

Traditional linear AC/DC power supply designs have improved in efficiency, power range, and compactness, but have faults. It’s a huge AC/DC transformer. Because the input voltage is varied, linear AC/DC power sources have massive transformers.

At low frequencies (such as 50Hz), a significant inductance value is necessary to transfer a substantial quantity of power from the primary coil to the secondary coil, requiring a big transformer core, making linear AC/DC power supply downsizing unfeasible. High-power linear AC/DC voltage control requires huge radiators.

Power switch AC-DC

Due to the development of high-power MOSFET transistors, it is now possible to switch AC-DC power sources, even in the presence of huge voltages and currents.

Switching AC-DC power supplies use switching power converters. Switching AC-DC power generates more efficient power converters without wasting power, and it converts alternating current to direct current in a complex method.

In a switching AC-DC power supply, the incoming voltage is rectified and filtered. A chopper turns DC electricity into a high-frequency pulse train. Finally, the wave travels through another rectifier and filter to convert it back to DC and remove any lingering AC component, as seen below:

High-frequency transformer inductors may transport more power without saturating, allowing the core to get smaller. Switching AC-DC power supplies are compact.

AC-DC power converters make a lot of noise, hence they must be treated to prevent output noise. This increases circuit complexity.

Application main

Most electronic and electrical equipment uses AC-DC converters. They power vacuum cleaners, washing machines, refrigerators, and rice cookers. Computers, TVs, phone chargers, and AC-DC converters play vital roles in daily life.

Most electrical sensors and modules employ AC-to-DC converters. Medical equipment, factory automation, building automation, process control systems, signs displays, and telecommunications require AC-DC converters.

Renewable energy management, test and measurement equipment, defense, aerospace, and transportation systems use AC-DC converters.

Conclusion

AC/DC converters are common. They convert alternating current (AC) into stable direct current (DC) to power electrical equipment. The current market may be more demanding of high-power, efficient micro ac to dc converter power supply to retain efficiency across a wide range of loads, hence we recommend Mornsun. Thanks for reading!