The difference between Linear and Switching Power Supply

Linear power supply and switching power supply are two common types in the market, then do you know their characteristics and difference? Here we'd like to share some tips.

Linear power supply, with features of quick response, low ripple and noise, low electromagnetic interference, belongs to DC stabilized power supply and can lower voltage output. Because of higher safety, it is widely used in big factories, education, science and research and some monitoring system required higher image and audio/video quality. But to achieve above features, high-frequency transformer should be used, which produce more heat and reduce work efficiency.

*SK3325J Programmable DC Power Supply- Linear Type, Industrial version

*SK3325 Programmable DC Power Supply- Linear Type, Economic version

Pass transistor used on switching power supply usually works between saturation and cut-off status, so switching power supply has advantage of lower heat, high efficiency and smaller size, but also has disadvantage such as higher ripple and noise and bigger  electromagnetic interference. Therefore, switching power supply will be best choice in small applicable site required high efficiency.