What are the advantages of high frequency power conversion?
High frequency switching power supplies are generally much smaller and lighter in weight than their 50/60 Hz transformer/ rectifier/regulator predecessors. This is mainly because the transformer used operates at several tens (or even hundreds) of kilohertz, and can be made much smaller for an equivalent power handling capability. High frequency also means that the output filter capacitors can be much smaller, since the ripple frequency is proportionally higher. In addition, regulation and current limiting can be done very efficiently by controlling the switching transistors directly, on the input side of the circuit. Finally, bulky heatsinks are not needed, as there are no series pass transistors which must dissipate excess energy as heat. They also run cooler and waste less power.
