A "wall wart" style variable DC power supply with its cover removed. Simpler AC supplies have nothing inside the case except the transformer. A power supply (sometimes knew by a power supply unit or PSU) is a device or system that supplies electrical or other types of energy to an output load or group of loads. The term is most commonly applied to electrical energy supplies, less often to mechanical ones, and rarely to others. Image File history File links Download high resolution version (1140x1446, 270 KB) Summary This is the inside of a wall wart style variable power supply. ...
Image File history File links Download high resolution version (1140x1446, 270 KB) Summary This is the inside of a wall wart style variable power supply. ...
The article on electrical energy is located elsewhere. ...
If an electric circuit has a well-defined output terminal, the circuit connected to this terminal (or its input impedance) is the load. ...
Electrical power supplies
This term covers the mains power distribution system together with any other primary or secondary sources of energy such as: Constraints that commonly affect power supplies are the amount of power they can supply, how long they can supply it for without needing some kind of refueling or recharging, how stable their output voltage or current is under varying load conditions, and whether they provide continuous power or pulses. City lights viewed in a motion blurred exposure. ...
Electricity generation is the first process in the delivery of electricity to consumers. ...
Direct current (DC or continuous current) is the continuous flow of electricity through a conductor such as a wire from high to low potential. ...
A switching-mode power supply for laboratory use. ...
In electronics, a linear regulator is a voltage regulator based on an active device (such as a bipolar junction transistor, field effect transistor or vacuum tube) operating in its linear region (in contrast, a switching regulator is based on a transistor forced to act as an on/off switch) or...
AC, half-wave and full wave rectified signals A rectifier is an electrical device, comprising one or more semiconductive devices (such as diodes) or vacuum tubes arranged for converting alternating current to direct current. ...
For other uses, see Inverter (logic gate) and Inverter. ...
Symbols representing a single Cell (top) and Battery (bottom), used in circuit diagrams. ...
A fuel cell is an electrochemical device similar to a battery, but differing from the latter in that it is designed for continuous replenishment of the reactants consumed; i. ...
Energy storage is the storing of some form of energy that can be drawn upon at a later time to perform some useful operation. ...
Solar power describes a number of methods of harnessing energy from the light of the sun. ...
This article is about machines that produce electricity. ...
Early 20th century Alternator made in Budapest, Hungary, in the power generating hall of a hydroelectric station. ...
The internal combustion engine is an engine in which the combustion of fuel and an oxidizer (typically air) occurs in a confined space called a combustion chamber. ...
Electricity generation is the first process in the delivery of electricity to consumers. ...
This article is about the machine. ...
International safety symbol Caution, risk of electric shock (ISO 3864), colloquially known as high voltage symbol. ...
In electricity, current refers to electric current, which is the flow of electric charge. ...
The regulation of power supplies is done by incorporating circuitry to tightly control the output voltage and/or current of the power supply to a specific value. The specific value is closely maintained despite variations in the load presented to the power supply's output, or any reasonable voltage variation at the power supply's input. This kind of regulation is commonly categorised as a Stabilized power supply. A stabilized power supply, sometimes know as a regulated power supply, is an embedded circuit, or stand alone unit, the function of which is to supply a stable current, or more commonly voltage, to a circuit or device that must be operated within certain power supply limitations. ...
Computer power supply -
A computer power supply typically is designed to convert 110-240 V AC power from the mains, to several low-voltage DC power outputs for the internal components of the computer. The most common computer power supplies are built to conform to the ATX form factor. The power rating of a PC power supply is not officially certified and is self-claimed by each manufacturer. The more reputable makers advertise "True Wattage Rated" to give consumers the idea that they can trust the wattage advertised. Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ...
Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ...
The top cover has been removed to show the internals of a computer Power supply Unit. ...
ATX form motherboards became increasingly popular because of their advantages over older AT motherboards. ...
Form factor refers to the linear dimensions and configuration of a device as distinguished from other measures of size (for example Gigabytes; a measure of storage size): in computing, form factor is used to describe the size and format of PC motherboards (see AT, ATX, BTX), but also of hard...
Domestic mains adapter A linear or (rarely) switched-mode power supply (or in some cases just a transformer) that is built into the top of a plug is known as a "wall wart", "power brick", "plug-in adapter", "adaptor block", "AC adaptor" or just "power adapter". They are even more diverse than their names; often with either the same kind of DC plug offering different voltage or polarity, or a different plug offering the same voltage. "Universal" adaptors attempt to replace missing or damaged ones, using multiple plugs and selectors for different voltages and polarities. A switching-mode power supply for laboratory use. ...
// In most countries, household power is single-phase electric power, in which a single live conductor brings alternating current into a house, and a neutral returns it to the power supply. ...
DC plug is the common name for a DC power supply plug, and particularly is used for one common type of cylindrical two-conductor plug available in a range of sizes and used to power small pieces of electronic equipment. ...
Because they consume standby power, they are sometimes known as "electricity vampires" and may be plugged into a power strip to allow turning them off. Expensive switched-mode power supplies can cutoff leaky electrolyte-capacitors, use powerless MOSFETs, and reduce their working frequency to get a gulp of energy once in a while to power for example a clock, which would otherwise need a battery. It has been suggested that this article or section be merged with Standby mode. ...
French/Belgian power strip — top A power strip (also known as a plug board, power board, power bar, distribution board, gangplug, plugbar, multibox, or relocatable power tap) is a strip of sockets that attaches to the end of a flexible cable and allows multiple devices to be plugged in. ...
The metal–oxide–semiconductor field-effect transistor (MOSFET, MOS-FET, or MOS FET) is by far the most common field-effect transistor in both digital and analog circuits. ...
Symbols representing a single Cell (top) and Battery (bottom), used in circuit diagrams. ...
This type of power supply is popular among manufacturers of low cost electrical items because
- Devices sold in the global marketplace don't need to be individually configured for 120 volt or 230 volt operation. Just sold with the appropriate AC adapter.
- The device itself doesn't need to be tested for compliance with electrical safety regulations. Only the adapter needs to be tested.
Linear power supply A simple AC powered linear power supply usually uses a transformer to convert the voltage from the wall outlet (mains) to a different, usually a lower voltage. If it is used to produce DC a rectifier circuit is employed either as a single chip, an array of diodes sometimes called a diode bridge or Bridge Rectifier, both for fullwave rectification or a single diode yielding a half wave (pulsating) output. More elaborate configurations rectify the AC voltage at first to pulsating DC. Then a capacitor smooths out part of the pulses giving a type of DC voltage. The smaller pulses remaining are known as ripple. Because of a fullwave rectification they occur at twice the mains frequency (in USA it's 60 Hz doubled to 120 Hz - or the UK, it's 50Hz, doubled to 100Hz). Finally, depending on the requirements of the load, a linear regulator may be used to reduce the ripple sometimes also allowing for adjustment of the output to the desired but lower voltage. More elaborate versions used by circuit designers are adjustable up to 30 volts and up to 5 amperes output. These often employ current limiting. Some can be driven by an external signal, for example, for applications requiring a pulsed output. City lights viewed in a motion blurred exposure. ...
For other uses, see Transformer (disambiguation). ...
Direct current (DC or continuous current) is the continuous flow of electricity through a conductor such as a wire from high to low potential. ...
AC, half-wave and full wave rectified signals A rectifier is an electrical device, comprising one or more semiconductive devices (such as diodes) or vacuum tubes arranged for converting alternating current to direct current. ...
Closeup of the image below, showing the square shaped semiconductor crystal various semiconductor diodes, below a bridge rectifier Structure of a vacuum tube diode In electronics, a diode is a component that restricts the directional flow of charge carriers. ...
Three bridge rectifiers. ...
Closeup of the image below, showing the square shaped semiconductor crystal various semiconductor diodes, below a bridge rectifier Structure of a vacuum tube diode In electronics, a diode is a component that restricts the directional flow of charge carriers. ...
AC, half-wave and full wave rectified signals A rectifier is an electrical device, comprising one or more semiconductive devices (such as diodes) or vacuum tubes arranged for converting alternating current to direct current. ...
Direct current (DC or continuous current) is the continuous flow of electricity through a conductor such as a wire from high to low potential. ...
In electronics, a linear regulator is a voltage regulator based on an active device (such as a bipolar junction transistor, field effect transistor or vacuum tube) operating in its linear region (in contrast, a switching regulator is based on a transistor forced to act as an on/off switch) or...
In the simplest case a single diode is connected directly to the mains and uses a resistor in series with a more or less fixed load to recharge a battery. This circuit is common in rechargeable flashlights. Closeup of the image below, showing the square shaped semiconductor crystal various semiconductor diodes, below a bridge rectifier Structure of a vacuum tube diode In electronics, a diode is a component that restricts the directional flow of charge carriers. ...
Resistor symbols (non-European) Resistor symbols (Europe, IEC) Axial-lead resistors on tape. ...
Symbols representing a single Cell (top) and Battery (bottom), used in circuit diagrams. ...
For the Parliament song, see Flash Light (song). ...
Switched-Mode power supply A Switched-mode power supply (SMPS) is similar to the above linear power supply, but trades off increased complexity for one or more of lower weight, cost, inefficiency or price.
Instead of using the input power directly, it switches it at very high speed (typically 10-1000Khz), before using a transformer or inductor and other components to increase or decrease the voltage to the desired level. The higher frequency compared with the linear power supply means that the transformer can be made significantly smaller. For other uses, see Transformer (disambiguation). ...
An inductor is a passive electrical device employed in electrical circuits for its property of inductance. ...
For other uses, see Transformer (disambiguation). ...
Uninterruptible power supply -
An Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) takes its power from two or more sources simultaneously. It is usually powered directly from the AC mains, while simultaneously charging a storage battery. Should there be a dropout or failure of the mains, the battery instantly takes over so that the load never experiences an interruption. Such a scheme can supply power as long as the battery charge suffices, e.g., in a computer installation, giving the operator sufficient time to effect an orderly system shutdown without loss of data. Other UPS schemes may use an internal combustion engine or turbine to continuously supply power to a system in parallel with power coming from the AC mains. The engine-driven generators would normally be idling, but could come to full power in a matter of a few seconds in order to keep vital equipment running without interruption. Such a scheme might be found in hospitals or telephone central offices. An uninterruptible power supply (UPS), also known as an uninterruptible power source or a battery backup is a device which maintains a continuous supply of electric power to connected equipment by supplying power from a separate source when utility power is not available. ...
Power conversion The term "power supply" is sometimes restricted to those devices that convert some other form of energy into electricity (such as solar power and fuel cells and generators). A more accurate term for devices that convert one form of electric power into another form (such as transformers and linear regulators) is power converter. The most common conversion is AC-DC. This is a conversion from the household current AC, to the DC current that is used in your car, and most electronics. These power supplies often come in the 120V AC to the 12V DC specifications. A switched-mode power supply, or SMPS, is an electronic power supply unit (PSU) that incorporates a switching regulator - an internal control circuit that switches the load current rapidly on and off in order to stabilise the output voltage. ...
Mechanical power supplies Spoked flywheel Flywheel from stationary engine. ...
This article is about machines that produce electricity. ...
Early 20th century Alternator made in Budapest, Hungary, in the power generating hall of a hydroelectric station. ...
A compulsator is the short name for a compensated pulsed alternator, a form of power supply. ...
A cutaway view of a flux compression generator. ...
Terminology - SCP
- Short circuit protection
- OPP
- Overpower (overload) protection
- OCP
- Overcurrent protection
- OTP
- Overtemperature protection
- OVP
- Overvoltage protection
- UVP
- Undervoltage protection
- UPS
- Uninterruptable Power Supply
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