Power Supply

Take a moment to think about how the average individual relies upon power supplies in order to accomplish many of the tasks that are currently taken for granted. A power supply is necessary to start a car, to turn on a laptop computer, to provide energy to our homes, and to enjoy a reliable source of off grid energy.

The only slight issue here is that when asked, many of us would be unable to provide a discrete definition of what a power supply actually involves. Answering this question is nonetheless very important if you hope to choose the most appropriate power supply for specific requirements.

How Can We Define a Power Supply?

We will begin by providing a general definition. A power supply is meant to describe any type of device that delivers electricity to a component that consumes power.^[1] It now becomes clear to appreciate that a typical power supply can address a host of real-world purposes. Two examples can help to cement this point.

One everyday illustration of a power supply involves the plug-in converter used to provide electricity to a laptop computer. While this is known as a continuous power supply (as it provides a constant source of mains electricity), it can also be used to keep an on-board battery fully charged; enabling the computer to be used remotely in the event that a ready source of electricity is not available.

Another example involves an emergency power supply. A recent (and somewhat worrying) situation can highlight this point. The Zaporizhzhia power plant that is located in Ukraine has experienced a fair amount of damage due to the ongoing conflict in the region. Some scientists are concerned that this could lead to a potentially serious situation in the event that its nuclear fuel is no longer provided with the water required to maintain the core at a safe temperature.^[2] However, most experts agree that this risk is relatively low due to the fact that the site is equipped with a backup power supply in the form of diesel generators. In the event that mains electricity is cut, this power supply will continue to provide cooling water to vital elements.

A Basic Overview of a Typical Power Supply

Simply stated, any type of power supply is designed to provide a component (known as the "load") with a source of electrical energy. In many cases, a power supply can be used to convert one type of electricity to another.^[3] For instance, the function of a switch mode power supply can involve changing AC electricity into DC so that it can be used by a flat-screen television within your home.

There are still other purposes that can be served with a power supply. A solar power supply may be utilised to provide a home with a reliable source of green electricity while simultaneously lowering its carbon footprint. A switch mode power supply may also be employed to regulate certain voltage characteristics in order to minimise the loss of electrical energy. Switch-mode systems include mobile phone chargers, fluorescent light ballasts and the type of power delivered to telecommunications racks.^[4]

How Does a Power Supply Work?

What about how a power supply functions in a real-world scenario? There are actually several variants to highlight here. A power supply can involve changing input voltage into a source of output energy that will be used by a specific device. This is accomplished with the help of a built-in transformer. There are two primary intentions of any type of power supply:

• To provide a load with the required amount of electricity so that it functions properly.
• To offer a backup power supply in the event that mains electricity is no longer available.

In other words, the exact function of a power supply is related to the intended application. However, we should also point out that certain solutions (such as EFOY Pro Fuel Cells) can be used to simultaneously accomplish both of the tasks outlined above.

Power Supply Variants and Uses

A dynamic power supply is yet another solution that may be required on occasion. This system is capable of adjusting its output voltage during operation. Such an approach can be used to lower losses that might otherwise occur during transmission.^[5]

An uninterruptible power supply is instead concerned with providing a source of constant power even if the primary source of electricity (such as a mains outlet) fails. The purpose here is to guarantee that a specific device does not suddenly experience a loss of power to the point that it ceases to function. Batteries found within personal computers, sources of electricity within data centres and standby generators in hospital intensive care wards.^[6]

A final variant is known as a critical power supply. As the name likely suggests, this type of power supply is used to ensure that important infrastructure does not become compromised due to a sudden dip (or loss) of electricity. Perhaps the most relevant example involves the generators found within the Ukrainian nuclear power plant mentioned earlier. Such a power supply can also be employed within industrial settings (such as EFOY Hydrogen 2.5 fuel cells) in order to provide SCADA monitoring systems with an extra level of on-site redundancy. Contact us to learn more about these and similar applications.

What Power Supply do I Need?

Although this article only represents a brief power supply overview, it has served to highlight the main takeaway points. We can now address a purely practical question. Which type of power supply is the most relevant for your needs? There are several ways in which this concern can be addressed.

For example, a typical switch-mode power supply can be used for everyday applications such as certain household appliances, security systems, car batteries, and charging a portable device. A power supply may also be utilised to offer backup power within industrial sites or even remote locations (such as traffic monitoring networks).

Those who are more interested in off-grid solutions may instead employ a bank of solar panels in order to provide their homes with an alternative power supply. The use of on-site batteries can likewise provide an additional power supply during the overnight hours or instances when the sun’s rays are not present.

A Power Supply for Every Need

Modern power supply technology has come a long way in recent years. This is particularly the case when referring to green sources such as hydrogen and direct methanol fuel cells. Not only are these systems highly advanced, but they are now being used by civilians as well as governments and even military organisations.

Do you want to learn more about the most relevant power supply for your needs? If so, feel free to speak with one of our representatives. We will be happy to provide additional information.