What are the pros and cons of using SMPS?

The pros and cons of using SMPS are as follows:

• Easy application. Linear regulators can be applied as a whole package and can only be connected in a circuit with two additional filter capacitors created by SMPS power supply manufacturer. This makes it easy for any skill level engineer to plan and design from scratch.

• Reduced costs. If your device requires a power output of less than 10W, the component and production costs are much lower than replacing the power supply.

• Low noise / waveform. Linear regulators have very low output voltage ripples and high bandwidth. This makes them ideal for any voice-sensitive application, including communications and radio equipment.

Cons

• Limited flexibility. Linear regulators can only be used to reduce voltage. For AC-DC power supply, a transformer with rectification and filtering must be placed before the linear power supply which will increase the overall cost and effort.

• Limited output. A linear controlled SMPS power adapter provides only one output voltage. If you need more, you need to add a separate linear voltage regulator according to the required output.

• Poor efficiency. The average linear controlled device achieves efficiency between 30% and 60% due to heat dissipation. It also requires the addition of a heat sink which increases the size and weight of the device.