What is a Switching Power Supply?

A Switching Power Supply has a lighter and smaller packaging than the linear power supply, the switching power supply offers the same power rating as the linear. Switching power supplies also come equipped with built-in safety technology, such as its own circuit breaker on board if it runs too strong. This power supply converts the AC source to a high voltage, which in turn, is used to produce a DC current and voltage. The high voltage allows a switching power supply to be more efficient and require less AC current to produce equivalent DC current. Popular applications of the switching power supply are commonly found in consumer electronics.

With respect to the usage, installation or assembly of any products described in this video, Galco Industrial Electronics, Inc., a Michigan corporation, encourages you to follow the requirements and/or guidelines of: i) the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, Public Law 91-596, as amended, and all laws, rules and regulations implemented in relation thereto; ii) the National Electric Code®; and iii) NFPA 70E®. Any installation, assembly or work described in this video should be performed by a qualified licensed electrician.

LEGAL DISCLAIMER:
While we have made every attempt to ensure that the information provided is accurate and has been obtained from reliable sources, Galco is not responsible for any errors or omissions, or for the results obtained from the use of this information. All information is provided "as is", with no guarantee of completeness, accuracy, timeliness or of the results obtained from the use of this information, and without warranty of any kind, express or implied, including, but not limited to warrantees of performance, merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose. At all times you should defer to the instructions and safety guidelines issued by the manufacturer. In no event will Galco, its agents or employees thereof be liable to you or anyone else for any decision made or action taken in reliance on the information provided to you or for any consequential, special or similar damages, even if advised of the possibility of such damages.

[christinaduncan]

I would love to have seen the kinds of equipment that use a switching adapter. I found a switching adapter in a box of electronic equipment at home and was hoping to learn what it might have gone to! This video is ONLY for people in the business, not for laymen! Too bad it couldn't have been for both!

[OOICU]

I didn't hear a word she said. I'll watch it a fourth time.

[aaronn]

So is a switching adapter basically an Ac/dc. I’ve seen some that say ac/dc adapter and I’ve seen some that say switching adapter. Are they the same thing or two different things. So basically input is ac and output is dc on switching adapter right?

[Wesmin]

So they're smaller that's something I didn't know. At the same time advantages/disadvantages would have been nice to know.