Many common lighting sources require an ac to dc power supply in order to function properly. Because the form of electricity that is available in modern homes and offices is a form of alternating current (AC), any device which requires a fixed polarity, be it positive or negative, will require the use of a converter to change the AC current into a useful form of direct current (DC).
HOW DOES AN AC TO DC POWER SUPPLY CONVERT CURRENT?
AC to DC power converters often begin the conversion process by raising or lowering the voltage of the AC current by passing it through a transformer. From this point, the rectifier converts the AC current into a varying voltage of DC current. The varying DC current then passes through an electronic filter where, upon leaving the filter, it is considered to have an unregulated DC voltage. Although most of the AC variations in voltages are removed, the portion that does remain is known as ripple. Some devices are tolerant of a relatively high amount of ripple, while others require a higher amount of electronic filtration to remove a larger percentage.
LED’S UTILIZE AC TO DC CONVERTERS
LED lights are an excellent example of highly efficient forms of lighting that utilize ac to dc power converters. These typically require 12 or 24 volt DC. It is important to always utilize the proper power supply that came with the lighting in order to protect the internal components. Low voltage transformers, such as those that power LEDs, are very safe and can be used in any standard AC outlet.
STATE OF THE ART AC TO DC POWER SUPPLY MANUFACTURERS
Energy Recovery Products (ERP) is a state of the art company that manufacturers energy efficient AC to DC power supplies for several industries, including lighting, medical, computing markets, and more. Our devices combine low power consumption, compact size, and low production cost to create highly efficient options for business owners of all types.