<P> A switched - mode power supply ( switching - mode power supply , switch - mode power supply , switched power supply , SMPS , or switcher ) is an electronic power supply that incorporates a switching regulator to convert electrical power efficiently . Like other power supplies , an SMPS transfers power from a DC or AC source ( often mains power ) to DC loads , such as a personal computer , while converting voltage and current characteristics . Unlike a linear power supply , the pass transistor of a switching - mode supply continually switches between low - dissipation , full - on and full - off states , and spends very little time in the high dissipation transitions , which minimizes wasted energy . Ideally , a switched - mode power supply dissipates no power . Voltage regulation is achieved by varying the ratio of on - to - off time . In contrast , a linear power supply regulates the output voltage by continually dissipating power in the pass transistor . This higher power conversion efficiency is an important advantage of a switched - mode power supply . Switched - mode power supplies may also be substantially smaller and lighter than a linear supply due to the smaller transformer size and weight . </P>
<P> A switched - mode power supply ( switching - mode power supply , switch - mode power supply , switched power supply , SMPS , or switcher ) is an electronic power supply that incorporates a switching regulator to convert electrical power efficiently . Like other power supplies , an SMPS transfers power from a DC or AC source ( often mains power ) to DC loads , such as a personal computer , while converting voltage and current characteristics . Unlike a linear power supply , the pass transistor of a switching - mode supply continually switches between low - dissipation , full - on and full - off states , and spends very little time in the high dissipation transitions , which minimizes wasted energy . Ideally , a switched - mode power supply dissipates no power . Voltage regulation is achieved by varying the ratio of on - to - off time . In contrast , a linear power supply regulates the output voltage by continually dissipating power in the pass transistor . This higher power conversion efficiency is an important advantage of a switched - mode power supply . Switched - mode power supplies may also be substantially smaller and lighter than a linear supply due to the smaller transformer size and weight . </P>
smps are superior to linear power supplies in respect of
smps are superior to linear power supplies in respect of
minimizes wasted energy
minimizes wasted energy