Dc power supply

Are you looking for a reliable DC power supply within your electrical installation? But you need more information to be able to decide on a specific device? In the following article we clarify frequently asked questions and support you in choosing the right device. At eibabo® we list a large number of switching devices for low voltage. This allows you to implement a DC power supply that can be used in electrical distribution installations in low-voltage networks.

What is a DC power supply?

Devices for the direct current supply supply the consumers connected to your electrical distribution system (fuse box or distribution cabinet) with low voltage. The scope of performance of the devices we offer ranges from under 5V to 12V, 24V, 48V to 54V.

Good to know

When electric current flows, charge carriers move. If the voltage has the same polarity continuously, the direction of movement of electrons and protons is also constant and it is direct current. If the polarity changes periodically, the direction of movement of the charge carriers also changes. Then there is alternating current.

Most of the devices are mounted on the DIN rail in the control cabinet. In home automation and building technology, flush-mounted power supplies are also increasingly being used, which you can install directly in flush-mounted boxes (deep switch boxes). Discover a large selection of high-quality DC power supply products with us. These include, for example

DC/DC converter
Compact power supplies, power supplies and power packs
Switching power supplies and switching power supplies (for mounting on DIN rails, for surface mounting, for flush mounting and for fixed installations)
as well as primary switching regulators, transformer rectifiers and wide-range switching power supplies

What are DC/DC converters?

DC/DC converters are used wherever one direct voltage has to be converted into another. In other words, DC/DC converters convert the power of a direct current (DC) source from one voltage level to another. In this case, the input energy is temporarily stored and then delivered to the output with a different voltage. The output voltage can be either higher or lower than the input voltage. Electrical energy is stored either in magnetic field storage components (such as a transformer) or in electric field storage components (such as a capacitor). The devices will not work with AC power sources.

Good to know:

The devices for direct current supply are characterized by a very favorable price-performance ratio and a high level of efficiency.

Considering efficiency is important because there are power losses when converting between different voltage levels. Depending on the voltage, current and type of DC/DC converter, the efficiency varies from 75% to 95% or more.

What are DC power supplies?

In contrast to DC/DC converters, DC power supplies are supplied with AC voltage and provide a specific DC output voltage. The devices are available with different performance data, among other things in order to meet the sometimes different mains voltages in many regions of the world. On the other hand, the various electronic components in an installation require different voltages to achieve their highest efficiency values. In addition to direct current power supplies, which supply a fixed constant voltage, you will also find power supplies with dual outputs or multiple outputs at eibabo. Each output can have a different constant voltage. You are thus able to supply several loads with different operating voltages from one power pack.

Power supply or power supply?

A power supply is usually a compact device that usually supplies a fixed voltage. A power supply unit, on the other hand, is more complex and expensive. This means that several voltages can often be set variably.

In Europe, 12V and 24V power supplies are the most common. Our range of products covers the power range from below 5V to 54V. The spectrum ranges from small, narrow, efficient power supplies to very powerful DC power supplies, converters and complex power supplies.

What is the difference between a transformer, a transformer rectifier and a switching power supply?

A transformer is a component consisting of coils, copper wire and an iron core. Typically, a transformer increases or decreases electrical voltages. Incoming AC voltage is converted into outgoing AC voltage in a certain ratio. The device does not transform AC voltage into DC voltage. A transformer always uses AC voltage, while a power supply unit uses DC voltage.

A transformer rectifier is something like the predecessor of the switching power supply and is only used occasionally today. The device generates DC voltage from AC voltage. With an internal transformer, this device also increases or decreases incoming AC power. The AC voltage is rectified by means of a bridge circuit and then smoothed by a capacitor. A built-in linear regulator on some models ensures that the output voltage is kept at a constant level. These devices are called regulated power supplies, while models without a linear regulator are called unregulated power supplies. A capacitor for short-term damping of voltage peaks is also not installed in all models. The direct current can be taken from the device output. A major disadvantage of these devices is the relatively high permanent power consumption, even when no consumer is connected.

The switching power supply is the further development of the transformer rectifier. Here, too, an AC voltage is converted into a larger or smaller AC voltage by a transformer. For safety reasons, the primary circuit (e.g. with 230V mains voltage) is galvanically isolated from the secondary circuit (e.g. with 12V). A bridge rectifier now generates the required direct current, which is also smoothed here by a capacitor.

Source: eibabo®, Eltako SNT12-230V/24VDC-1A switching power supply Image: Eltako SNT12-230V/24VDC-1A switching power supply

What are wide range power supplies?

Power supplies with a 'wide range' on the input side can be operated with different nominal voltages. These devices do not have to be adjusted manually or automatically to the nominal voltage applied.

Which devices for DC power supply are recommended?

When purchasing a DC power supply, make sure the device meets your requirements for the intended use. Recommended devices for DC power supply are characterized by:

a high quality finish
a very good efficiency
a high energy efficiency

You will find the information on efficiency and all other technical specifications in the data sheets as well as in the product description of the respective devices. Here in the shop you only get devices from top manufacturers. These include Eaton, Eltako, Jung, MDT, Phoenix, Omron, Merten, Siemens and many other well-known manufacturers. To make your selection easier, the items in this catalog are pre-sorted according to relevance. You are welcome to filter according to further technical properties. Please use the detailed search for this.