SMPS

Science & Engineering abbreviation · Electronics & Electrical

SMPS
Stands forSwitched-mode power supply
CategoriesScience & Engineering

SMPS stands for Switched-mode power supply, an electronics & electrical abbreviation.

Power supply that converts electricity by switching transistors on and off at high frequency and storing energy in inductors, transformers and capacitors, reaching efficiencies of about 80-95%. Phone chargers, laptop adapters, computer power supplies and LED drivers are nearly all SMPS designs.

Example: The new gallium nitride SMPS charger is half the size of the old adapter at the same 65 W.

Usage notes

Switching supplies replaced heavy linear transformer supplies because they are smaller, lighter and waste less energy. The 80 PLUS program certifies computer power supplies for efficiency. Their high-frequency switching can cause electrical noise, requiring careful filtering to meet EMC rules.

More electronics & electrical abbreviations

  • PWM – Pulse-width modulation
  • RCD – Residual-current device
  • RFI – Radio-frequency interference
  • RMS – Root mean square
  • SCR – Silicon-controlled rectifier
  • SMD – Surface-mount device
  • SMT – Surface-mount technology
  • SNR – Signal-to-noise ratio
  • SoC – System on a chip
  • SPDT – Single-pole, double-throw
  • SPI – Serial Peripheral Interface
  • SPICE – Simulation Program with Integrated Circuit Emphasis

See all 82 electronics & electrical abbreviations →