switchingsäädin

A switch-mode power supply, commonly known as a switching regulator or switchingsäädin, is an electronic power supply that incorporates a switching regulator to convert electrical power efficiently. Switching regulators have been dominant in power supply applications due to their significantly higher power density and efficiency compared to linear regulators. They achieve this by rapidly switching a power semiconductor device, such as a MOSFET or transistor, on and off. This rapid switching action, controlled by a feedback loop, effectively regulates the output voltage. The energy is stored temporarily in components like inductors and capacitors during the switching cycles, and then released to the load at the desired voltage level. This process minimizes power loss as heat, a common issue with linear regulators which dissipate excess voltage as heat.

Switching regulators can be configured in various topologies, including buck (step-down), boost (step-up), buck-boost (step-down or step-up), and SEPIC (single-ended primary-inductor converter). The choice of topology depends on the required output voltage relative to the input voltage. The efficiency of a switch-mode power supply is typically between 70% and 90%, but can reach over 90% in some designs. This efficiency is a key advantage, especially in battery-powered devices where conserving energy is crucial. Applications for switchingsäädin range from small consumer electronics like mobile phone chargers and laptop adapters to larger industrial power systems and data centers.