Hello all,
I was just reading about AC to DC encapsulated power supplies. Seems like an interesting option.
Anyone have any opinions about using them as part of a project? For example, to power a stand alone Arduino or a relay like this one http://www.mouser.com/ds/2/468/RAC10-C_277-306163.pdf?
There must be some reason I don't see them being used in projects by anyone...
Thanks for your input.
Jet
Power supply types
Moderators: adafruit_support_bill, adafruit
Please be positive and constructive with your questions and comments.
- Renate
- Posts: 291
- Joined: Tue Nov 13, 2012 3:21 pm
Re: Power supply types
The biggest problem with them is that you need to connect a power cord to them somehow.
That means that any system with this as a component is not automatically safety approved by whichever authority has jurisdiction.
Buy a UL (or CE or whatever) approved "wall-wart" and you are all set.
That means that any system with this as a component is not automatically safety approved by whichever authority has jurisdiction.
Buy a UL (or CE or whatever) approved "wall-wart" and you are all set.
- bplummer
- Posts: 10
- Joined: Thu Apr 17, 2014 5:13 pm
Re: Power supply types
I've read a lot of complaints about how "wall warts" are very poorly regulated. For example, I've read that some users will buy a 12v psu and it will actually output 14v to 16v or will drop to below 10v when connected to a load. I know that power supplies have to be matched to the power consumption requirements very carefully so that may explain some of the complaints.
However, I am really just interested in why I don't see encapsulated power supplies used in projects since they appear to have a large number of advantages over "open frame" types.
Thanks
Jet
However, I am really just interested in why I don't see encapsulated power supplies used in projects since they appear to have a large number of advantages over "open frame" types.
Thanks
Jet
- adafruit_support_mike
- Posts: 67446
- Joined: Thu Feb 11, 2010 2:51 pm
Re: Power supply types
The main reasons are cost and complexity. Any well-behaved power supply will cost more than a "this should be about 12v" transformer in terms of design effort, materials, assembly, and certification.
DIYers and people who do short-run designs have a real advantage over companies that do production in lots of 100,000 because we can spend a few extra dollars and invest a few extra hours of work to make a circuit really good. The total cost to us is a few dollars and a few hours. For a company doing mass production, it pushes on millions of dollars and millions of hours.
DIYers and people who do short-run designs have a real advantage over companies that do production in lots of 100,000 because we can spend a few extra dollars and invest a few extra hours of work to make a circuit really good. The total cost to us is a few dollars and a few hours. For a company doing mass production, it pushes on millions of dollars and millions of hours.
Please be positive and constructive with your questions and comments.