There are many types of switching power supplies, and different types of switching power supplies have different parameters such as voltage, current, power, load characteristics, etc., which makes people dazzled and don’t know how to choose the switching power supply model.

        The following are some selection tips to help you avoid detours in the process of selecting a switching power supply, and then try to choose a regular switching power supply product, so that the effect of use will be much better.

Clarify your needs

        Generally, we only think about buying a switching power supply when the product we use fails. We can directly take the previous power supply to find some companies that specialize in selling switching power supplies to see if there are any replacement models that match the model or parameters. 

        The specific ones can be carried out from the following aspects:

        1. The input and output types of switching power supplies can be roughly divided into: ①AC/DC ②DC/DC ③DC/AC Note: AC is alternating current, DC is direct current, such as AC/DC is AC input and DC output.

         2. Input voltage Commonly used input voltage specifications are 110V, 220V, and universal input voltage (AC: 85V-264V). The input voltage specification should be selected according to the area of use.

         3. Output voltage and current selection of switching power supply First, the voltage should be the same, and secondly, the current. The rated current of the switching power supply must be greater than the maximum current of the load. For example, if your circuit is 15V, 60mA, it is generally recommended to choose a power supply of more than 100mA.

        In addition, as long as the voltage is the same, no matter how much the current provided by the switching power supply is greater than the actual use, the circuit will only pass so much and will not be damaged.

        4. Switching power supply function ：

① Voltage-stabilized switching power supply: The input voltage and output voltage are rated at a certain value;

② SCR switching power supply: The output voltage can be changed by adjusting the input voltage;

③ Adjustable switching power supply: Within the rated range of input voltage, the output voltage and current can be adjusted by potentiometers and other methods.

        5. Switching power supply load characteristics In order to improve the reliability of the system, it is recommended that the switching power supply work at 50%-80% load, that is, choose a model with about 30% more output power rating.

        For example, if the power used is 20W, a switching power supply with an output power of 25W-40W should be selected. If the load is a motor, bulb or capacitive load, the current is large when the power is turned on, and a suitable power supply should be selected to avoid overload.

        6. The ambient temperature also needs to consider the working ambient temperature of the switching power supply, and whether there are additional auxiliary cooling devices. The power supply needs to be derated when the ambient temperature is too high. The derated curve of the ambient temperature on the output power needs to be referred to.

Choose a suitable brand

        There are many brands of switching power supplies, and their service life is relatively long. The frequency and time of use are also relatively high. If the quality of the switching power supply is not high, problems are likely to occur.

         It is said that the price of switching power supplies on the market is about tens of yuan to hundreds of yuan or thousands of yuan, but if some non-professionals want to compare the advantages and disadvantages of products, it is still difficult, so brand products must be selected. For example: IDEALPLUSING switching power supply.

Determine after-sales service

        The switching power supply can basically be used for several years. Of course, this is based on the purchase of regular products to ensure a long service life.

        When purchasing, confirm with the seller. If there is a problem within one month of use, the other party must also provide unconditional replacement of new products or help us repair.

        It is not recommended to choose non-branded products without any quality assurance. The quality of such products is likely to have problems and may even threaten our safety. Products from merchants who can provide better after-sales services are more quality-assured.