Power Supplies & Regulation

More Information about Power Supplies & Regulation

Transformers transfer electric energy from one AC circuit to another by devices capable of altering the voltage level, either to increase (step-up) or reduce (step-down) it. The improvement to the technology and the widespread adoption of transformers has made it possible to effect these changes efficiently and safely in power systems, whether it be in our homes or in power systems across the land via long-distance distribution.

DC to DC voltage converters are electrical devices that take in one DC voltage and transform it into another, different DC voltage. These converters can either step up or step down the input voltage. They are often used in electrical control panels, where they provide a way of taking the variety of voltages that are generated by the many different components of the panel and transforming them into the two or three voltages that the panel requires.

Differences between Power Supplies, Inverters and Transformers

Power supplies

A power supply converts one type of power to another.  The most common example is a power supply that takes AC voltage and converts it to DC voltage. While it is very common to use power supplies in industrial applications, one very common place to see a power supply used is for the devices such as: smartphones, laptops or tablets. Most devices come with a power cord that has a bulky block on the end of it. This block is where the power supply is located. Most devices do not use AC power, which is the type of power being supplied to homes. They use some form or DC power. The power supply changes the AC voltage to the correct DC voltage for the device. 

Inverters

Inverters work in a similar way to power supplies, with one major difference, instead of converting AC power to DC power, the inverter does the opposite. It converts DC power to AC power. DC power is created by devices such as solar panels or batteries, but most homes require AC power. To convert the DC power that is generated by the solar panels, an inverter is used.  

Transformers

Transformers convert one type of AC power to a different type of AC power. For example, homes commonly use 120 VAC and automatic sprinkling systems have valves that require 24 VAC. A transformer converts 120 VAC to 24 VAC so the sprinkler valves can operate properly. Transformers come in many different shapes and sizes.  and can convert AC power up or down.