In the age of energy-efficient devices, the poor efficiency rating of a power supply can be a deal-breaker. The solution that you finally choose depends on your requirements for efficiency, cabinet space, output regulation, transient response time, and cost. 

SMPS

SMPS or Switched Mode Power Supplyis 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 to DC loads, such as a personal computer, while converting voltage and current characteristics. Switching regulators are used as replacements for linear regulators when higher efficiency, smaller size or lighter weight are required. As a result of their performance, switch mode power supplies are used in all but the most exacting applications to provide an efficient and effective source of power for most forms of electronic systems.

Importance and Applications of SMPS

Switched-mode power supply units in domestic products such as personal computers often have universal inputs, meaning that they can accept power from mains supplies throughout the world, although a manual voltage range switch may be required. Switch-mode power supplies can tolerate a wide range of power frequencies and voltages.

In the above image we can see an SMPS which is used in personal computers with the input, output, and fan cords visible.

Switched-mode power supplies are used for DC to DC conversion as well. In automobiles where heavy vehicles use a nominal 24 V_DC cranking supply, 12 V for accessories may be furnished through a DC/DC switch-mode supply. This has the advantage over tapping the battery at the 12 V position (using half the cells) that all the 12 V load is evenly divided over all cells of the 24 V battery. In industrial settings such as telecommunications racks, bulk power may be distributed at a low DC voltage (from a battery back-up system, for example) and individual equipment items will have DC/DC switched-mode converters to supply whatever voltages are needed.

A common use for switched-mode power supplies is as extra-low-voltage sources for lighting, and for this application they are often called "electronic transformers".

Hence if not for SMPS we wouldn’t have laptops, computers and battery chargers which keep our electronic devices running and charged. Also the stepping up and stepping-down the AC/DC voltages have come in handy in many electronic devices. Know More of SMPS and explore the world of power supplies and make a project or work out an application of it.