What is SMPS? Understanding Switch Mode Power Supplies in Automation
Switch Mode Power Supplies (SMPS) have today played very important roles in the automation systems due to flexibility and size of the systems as well as efficiency. Having insight on how SMPS operate and how it contributes to industrial automation will enable a business to optimize for energy usage and system performance. In this article, we will describe what SMPS is, how it works and why this subject is critical to the industrial automation solution.
What is an SMPS?
A Switch Mode Power Supply (SMPS) is a power supply system that makes use of switching techniques to establish power conversion frequencies at higher frequency rates. In contrast to the traditional linear power supplies, which control voltage by turning the excess power into heat, in SMPSs this is accomplished through the use of fast electronic switches, for example transistors, which convert supplied power to the required voltage. This switching process is done at a frequency range of 20 kHz to 1 MHz, and due to this, SMPS delivers far much higher efficiency levels than the linear power supplies. Consequently, SMPS can afford to lose little energy and generate minimal heat, making it a more efficient energy solution.
It also possesses inherent flexibility in that SMPS is designed to accept a large range of input voltage values. This flexibility is particularly important in industrial applications, given the fluctuations in the availability of electrical supply. Most industrial automation applications embrace SMPS because of their small size, high efficiency and capacity to constantly deliver constant output voltage regardless of the variations in input voltage and currents, common when powering control systems, sensors and automated machinery.
How Does SMPS Work?
The working principle of SMPS is to switch electrical components, predominantly transistors, at high frequencies in on and off manner. It is this process that helps SMPS to control power effectively The block diagram for this particular control is as shown below:. First, the AC from the input is rectified to become DC current by rectifying circuits on the power supply. The rectified current is further filtered by a high frequency switching circuit that modulates the voltage with the help of on and off switching cycles at very high frequency. This switching process is regulated by a feedback loop that takes the output voltage level as its reference level and continually switches to various frequencies in a feedback control loop.
After the switching process, energy is taken through a transformer that either boosts or drops the voltage depending on what is necessary for load. Lastly, as with any voltage regulation, the output is smoothed to remove the ripples so that stable DC voltage is fed to the devices. SMPS is more efficient than the conventional power supplies because it does not dissipate so much energy as heat. Further, because it operates at high frequencies, it can be compact and lighter than other converters. A large number of industrial automation applications employ SMPS due to its ability to deliver power of high stability and reliability irrespective of fluctuations in the load level, required by automated systems.
Benefits of Incorporating SMPS to Automation
There are a number of advantages of using SMPS in industrial automation. The single largest advantage is its extremely high efficiency that can be as high as 90 percent in certain models. This is especially so when systems are constantly in use as is the case in most industries where energy costs are a big consideration. Through the conversion of power with low power losses, SMPS makes it easy for companies to balance their electricity costs and at the same time exercise their corporate social responsibility of cutting down on their environmental footprint. The last advantage which is worth mentioning is the comparatively low level of heat generation. Because SMPS dissipates far less energy in the form of heat than a linear power supply there is less requirement for large heatsinks or cooling systems. As a result this feature leads to more compact design and improves the operational life of the power supply and connected peripherals.
The final advantage of SMPS is flexibility in that it can be designed to work with bringing in almost any voltage; this is very important in the industrial application area where fluctuations are the order of the day. In view of the performance of SMPS to provide a constant output voltage despite variations in the input, it is suitable for meeting the power requirements of the automated machinery. On the other hand, there are also features such as the overload protection; short circuit protection, and thermal shut off which help to safeguard both the SMPS units and the equipment connected to it. In particular, SMPS caters for the need of many organizations, especially those involved in industrial automation in as much as they provide the performance and safety features which keep businesses going and with minimal incidences of breakdowns or down times.
How to Go About Selecting the Right SMPS Manufacturer
Choosing the right SMPS manufacture: One of the critical factors when it comes to influencing the reliability of the automation system’s power supply is to choose the right manufacturer of the SMPS. There are 4 parameters which should be used to assess a potential manufacturer: Its reputation, the quality of its products, and experience using specific materials and technology in the making of SMPS units designed for industrial use. A good manufacturer should therefore provide SMPS units that are more efficient, well protected and capable to work under diverse loads. Besides, manufacturers who have many choices of SMPS models can cover all possibilities, which give the business flexibility when choosing suitable power supplies for their automation needs.
Another factor that has to be taken into account when making decisions on selecting an SMPS manufacturer is technical support and after sales servicing. Today, automation systems are more complex and have to be regularly maintained, so comprehensive technical support from the manufacturer is of paramount importance. When choosing a SMPS manufacturer, be keen on a company that offers information about the SMPS, warranties for the product, and support to their customers in the long-run. When working with an information technology manufacturer, businesses can gain the most from their implementations of industrial automation, and also elementalize the chances of power problems interrupting the processes.
Conclusion
Switch Mode Power Supplies (SMPS) are crucial to current industrial automation; they have high efficiency compared to other power supplies; small in size and have stable output voltage. For enterprises with interest in improving their essential industrial automation solutions, it is crucial to know what SMPS is and its function. Wherever you require consistent, continued power for control schemes or load monitoring and other measuring devices or industrial equipment, SMPS offers the adaptability and power that modern automation technologies call for. Thirdly, working with an SMPS manufacturer with the highest reputation means that the power supplies for your system will be the most efficient and reliable for long-term business and performance improvements. If you place SMPS into your automation system then you can experience a vast improvement in energy efficiency as well as reduced operating cost and advanced system efficiency.
