SMPS Load Sharing Design Guide – Power Without Overload
When your project demands more power than a single SMPS can provide, load sharing is the answer. Whether you’re powering multiple Raspberry Pis, LED arrays, or industrial control systems, proper SMPS load sharing ensures safe and balanced power distribution—without frying your supply!
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🔍 The Problem: Uneven Current Draw
Connecting two SMPS units in parallel sounds easy, but if they’re not matched or properly configured, one can end up supplying most of the current. This leads to overheating, voltage drop, or premature failure.
✅ The Solution: Use Load Sharing Resistors or Diode Isolation
You can fix this using:
Current sharing resistors: Placed on the positive outputs of each SMPS to force equal voltage drop and encourage even current flow.
Schottky diodes: Prevent backfeeding between supplies and add protection.
For active load sharing, advanced modules with feedback loops exist—but passive methods work great for most hobby use.
🔧 Practical Example
You’re using two 5V/2A SMPS units to power a 5V/3A LED controller. Place a 0.1Ω, 2W resistor in series with each output. This balances the load across both supplies, preventing overload.
🧮 Sample Calculation
Power dissipation in 0.1Ω at 1.5A ≈ P = I² × R = 1.5² × 0.1 = 0.225W — so a 1W or 2W resistor is safe.
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