Linear Power Supply vs. Switching Power Supply: Advantages and Disadvantages

In the advent of power supply technology, two basic types can be said to dominate: these are linear power supplies (LPS) and switching power supplies (SPS). There are benefits and limitations of each, thus making them useful for different tasks. Being among the best manufacturers in the market, Merryking knows exactly how to get the proper power solution for every task. Now let’s take a look at LPS and SPS in turn.

Linear Power Supply (LPS)

Advantages of LPS

Low Noise Operation: LPS is characterized by low sound level, therefore having low electromagnetic interference (EMI) which is some cases is a threat to sensitive devices.

Simple Design: An LPS is also not complicated in its construction and this reduces the chances of many errors occurring in the circuit.

High Output Stability: LPS power supply can provide precise and stable output voltages that are necessary for any application requiring strict boundaries.

Disadvantages of LPS

Inefficiency: Most often, LPS is never as efficient as the SPS, as a huge amount of power is wasted producing heat.

Bulkiness: This type of SPS also requires large transformers, making LPS larger and heavier compared to the switching ones.

Cost: As a result of the inefficiency of LPS, a relatively high operational cost is expected in the long run.

Switching Power Supply (SPS) 

Benefits of using SPS 

High Efficiency: Compared to the conventional type of SPS, Operate in much higher efficiency, thus converting much more input power into usable output power. 

Compact Size: Due to the fact that higher frequency transformers can make them very small and light, SPS are portable units. 

Wide Input Voltage Range: An important benefit is the ability of the units to work with several voltage inputs, making them appropriate for use in various countries. 

Disadvantages of using SPS 

Noise and EMI: In high power SPS applications, there will be more noise and EMI generating devices nearby, which can interfere with different electronic devices placed in the vicinity. 

Complexity: Maintenance and troubleshooting may be difficult due to its complicated SPS design. 

Output Ripple: The output ripple was not particularly good for SPS, however, it still has been or is being improved by most of the new SPS generation. 

In the end, the choice of using a linear power supply or a switching power supply rests on the needs of his application. This choice on power supply forms the basic underpinning of the project, it could be based on the efficiency, size or noise level of the power supply or even a combination of these above. At Merryking, you will not be disappointed as there is a broad spectrum of power solutions to satisfy the varying demands of all our customers allowing you to get the right solution for your project.