20 Switching AC Adapter Manufacturers in 2022
This section provides overview, applications, and principles of switching ac adapters. Also, please take a look at the list of 20 switching ac adapter manufacturers and their company rankings.
Table of Contents
What is a Switching AC Adapter?
There are two types of AC adapters: linear and switching. Currently, switching AC adapters is the mainstream.
AC adapters of the linear method convert power to low voltage through an iron core (transformer), regulate alternating current with a diode, and use a circuit such as a capacitor to conduct electricity to the side of the device being used.
On the other hand, switching AC adapters, unlike linear systems, convert AC electricity into high-frequency DC from the start and do not use an iron core (transformer).
The feature of the switching AC adapter is that it uses switching transistors to perform high-speed voltage conversion and conduct electricity to the side of the device being used. The parts are compact and lightweight, and high power supply efficiency is realized.
Uses of Switching AC Adapters
Because the AC adapter can separate the power conversion circuit from the main unit crisis, it can increase the possibilities of equipment usage and storage.
Because switching AC adapters can be switched on and off without a transformer, they are smaller and lighter. Therefore, they can be used for many applications, supplying electricity to and charging cell phones, audio equipment, medical machines, PC USB cables, tablets, and other devices.
It is also possible to use domestic products with a converter or transformer, even in foreign countries with different outlet shapes, power supplies, and voltages.
Since it is capable of safe, high-precision equipment operation and has sufficient resistance to shock and vibration, it is widely used in many types of electronic equipment.
Principle of Switching AC Adapters
Switching AC adapters use semiconductor devices such as transistors and MOSFETs to separate incoming AC voltage into pulses through high-speed switching.
By smoothing the current wave, a flat DC voltage is obtained, and since it is possible to combine power and signals of different frequencies in this process, it is possible to step down the voltage without a transformer. However, the circuit is more complex, so care must be taken in the control method.
There are several control methods for switching AC adapters, the most typical of which is the "PWN" (pulse width modulation) method.
The idea is to stabilize the voltage by adjusting the width of the pulse wave or the on-time of switching on and off so that the area of each pulse is the same.
Switching AC adapters allow power to be output without waste by turning the power on and off. The conversion efficiency of the power supply is very high. When switching AC adapters, the pulse frequency is high, making them small and lightweight.
How to Select a Switching AC Adapter
There are many switching AC adapters on the market. If you make a mistake in selecting the right adapter, you may not only be unable to use your electronic equipment, but in the worst case, you may even damage it.
1. Voltage and Current to be Used
The adapter must deliver the appropriate voltage (V) and current (A) for the electronic equipment you wish to use. This should be indicated near the input terminals of the electronic equipment or on the rating nameplate. At this time, the voltage should be selected to be exactly the same, but the current should be the same or slightly higher.
Also, some AC adapters and electronic devices may have their ratings listed in terms of voltage and power (W). In this case, the formula power = voltage x current can be used to determine the current or power.
2. Plug Shape
In many cases, the plug portion is a pipe-shaped electrode that provides power by connecting to each of the contacts on the input terminals of the electronic device.
Naturally, if the external and internal diameters of the electrodes do not match, the plug cannot be physically plugged in, or even if it can be plugged in, it cannot supply power. Since standards for the outer and inner diameters have been established to some extent, a compatible electrode should be selected for use.
Plugs that convert the outer and inner diameters are also available on the market, but the more electrical contacts there are, the more electrical resistance there is, and there is also the risk of contact failure. It is advisable to avoid using plugs for devices that handle particularly high voltages and currents.
There are also many devices that use special plugs designed specifically for that device and that cannot be plugged into general-purpose plugs.
3. Check the Polarity
As mentioned above, most AC adapter connectors are pipe-shaped, with positive and negative polarity connections on the outside and inside, respectively.
Those with a positive pole inside the plug are called center plus, and those with a negative pole are called center minus.
Naturally, select the one that matches the electronic equipment to be used. This should also be indicated near the input terminals of the electronic equipment or on the rating nameplate.
Differences between Switching Type AC Adapters and Transformer Type AC Adapters
Switching-type AC adapters have the following advantages over transformer-type AC adapters:
- Easier to reduce size and weight
- Less heat generation and higher power conversion efficiency
On the other hand, the disadvantages are:
- Circuits tend to be complex
- Requires many high-voltage electronic components, which tend to increase the cost.
- It easily generates noise associated with switching.
List of 20 Switching AC Adapter Manufacturers
*Including some distributors, etc.
Sort by Features
- Default
- Company Size: largest first
- Year Founded: oldest first
- Year Founded: earliest first
Sort by Area
- Canada
- China
- Czech Republic
- Germany
- Japan
- Singapore
- Switzerland
- Taiwan
- United States of America
Switching AC Adapter Manufacturer Ranking
*Including some distributors, etc.Number of Employees
- TAMURA Electronic Components: 4,405
- XP Power: 2,341
- CUI: 322
Newly Established Company
- Aimtec: 2002 (21 years ago)
- Magic Power Technology: 1998 (25 years ago)
- FranMar International: 1997 (26 years ago)
Company with a History
- TAMURA Electronic Components: 1924 (99 years ago)
- Triad Magnetics: 1943 (80 years ago)
- Fabrimex: 1947 (76 years ago)
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