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What is a Switching Power Supply? 

AC/DC Switching Power Supply is designed for high efficiency and small size. They incorporate a switching regulator to convert electrical power efficiently. Switching DC power supplies regulate the output voltage through a process called pulse width modulation (PWM). Using a PWM allows various topologies to be used such as buck, boost, forward converter, half-bridge rectifier, or flyback depending on the output power requirements. The PWM process generates some high-frequency noise but enables the switching power supplies to be built with very high power efficiency and a small form factor. With a good design, a switching power supply can have excellent load and line regulation. They can either step up or step down the input voltage to get the desired output voltage. A switching power supply has greater efficiency than linear regulators because the switching transistor dissipates little power when acting as a switch. However, this switching can generate noise which can be lowered by filtering.

If your equipment is for international use, switching technology works almost anywhere in the world whereas a linear power supply must be manually adjusted to work with a foreign grid. Other examples of applications that prefer a switching Open Frame Power Supply are general purpose ones used in R&D, manufacturing, and testing, high power / high current applications, some communication systems, mobile stations, some network equipment, electroplating, anodizing, electroforming, electrophoresis, electrolysis, waste treatment, hydrogen generator, fuel cell applications, DC motors, aviation, and shipboard/boat applications.

What is an AC Adapter?

An AC Power Adapter is an external power supply that converts alternating current (AC) from a wall outlet to a direct current (DC) needed by an electronic device. Therefore, it is an AC/DC converter. When it supplies power to a battery-powered device, it is also accurate to describe it as a charger. Before picking the right AC adapter for your device, it is useful to know the reasons most portable electronics use external power adapters.

Installing the power components of devices in external AC adapters allows manufacturers to make them smaller. Those researching how to choose the right AC adapter should know that devices with external power adapters are lighter than those with integrated AC adapters. Having a separate and external AC/DC power adapter also reduces the heat produced inside an electronic device. This design also reduces electrical noise and improves safety.

A manufacturer can also support a wide voltage range by choosing an external power supply when designing the right AC adapter for your device. Lastly, external power adapters are easier to replace. Users do not have to throw away their devices if voltage spikes, or in the case of brownouts or electrical fires destroy their external power supply units.

Check Electrical Ratings to Choose the Right AC Adapter for Your Device

Before trying to find a matching AC Desktop Power Adaptor for a device, check if the OEM (original equipment manufacturer) adapter is available. Device manufacturers sometimes offer replacement chargers/adapters for their products. Determining how to choose the right power adapter for a device becomes easy if this OEM accessory is available. Find the specific adapter for the device by searching for it using the model number printed on the adapter shipped with the device.

In some cases, OEM adapters are no longer available from manufacturers. Therefore, finding the right AC adapter for your electronics requires selecting a compatible third-party accessory. The first step is to determine the electrical rating of the device.
When learning how to choose an AC adapter, it is also necessary to understand power adapter specifications. Manufacturers usually print such information on the labels of these power accessories. Alternatively, check the device’s user manual for the electrical ratings of its AC adapter. The most important sections to read on a power adapter label are voltage and current. However, polarity is also an important factor.