What are the differences between Linear and Switching (aka Switch Mode) Power Supplies?
IDEC only manufactures Switch Mode Power Supplies. Switching power supplies differ from linear power supplies primarily in how the primary voltage is tranformed into the output voltage. Switching power supplies use a high speed switch (power transistor) to produce a high frequency voltage that is passed through a relatively small transformer and then filtered to remove the AC component and noise. Linear Power Supplies simply pass the original primary voltage (ie 120VAC/60Hz) directly through a relatively large transformer and then filter it to remove the AC component. In general, switching power supplies are considered superior due to their higher efficiencies, lighter weight, ability to handle wider input voltage ranges, and longer hold up times. Linear power supplies are sometimes less expensive, particularly on larger wattages. One concern in using a switching power supply is the high frequency noise (EMI/RFI) that they produce, but this effect is reduced by adequate filtering.
