
Open frame power supplies have only a partial mechanical enclosure, sometimes consisting of only a mounting base these are typically built into machinery or other equipment. A bench power supply is a stand-alone desktop unit used in applications such as circuit test and development. Power supplies are packaged in different ways and classified accordingly. Some power supplies have other types of inputs and outputs as well, for functions such as external monitoring and control.Įlectronic bench power supply unit with " banana connector" output The input and output are usually hardwired circuit connections, though some power supplies employ wireless energy transfer to power their loads without wired connections. The source power may come from the electric power grid, such as an electrical outlet, energy storage devices such as batteries or fuel cells, generators or alternators, solar power converters, or another power supply. Other functions that power supplies may perform include limiting the current drawn by the load to safe levels, shutting off the current in the event of an electrical fault, power conditioning to prevent electronic noise or voltage surges on the input from reaching the load, power-factor correction, and storing energy so it can continue to power the load in the event of a temporary interruption in the source power ( uninterruptible power supply).Īll power supplies have a power input connection, which receives energy in the form of electric current from a source, and one or more power output or rail connections that deliver current to the load. Examples of the latter include power supplies found in desktop computers and consumer electronics devices.


Some power supplies are separate standalone pieces of equipment, while others are built into the load appliances that they power. As a result, power supplies are sometimes referred to as electric power converters. The primary function of a power supply is to convert electric current from a source to the correct voltage, current, and frequency to power the load. A simple general-purpose desktop power supply used in electronic labs, with power output connector seen at lower-left and power input connector (not shown) located at the rearĪ power supply is an electrical device that supplies electric power to an electrical load.
