SMPS Efficiency Testing Guide for Hobbyists and Engineers
⚙️ The Problem :
Switch Mode Power Supplies (SMPS) are known for their efficiency, but how do you actually measure it? Many beginners overlook efficiency testing, which can lead to overheating, wasted power, or design failure. Without proper measurement, you may not realize your supply is underperforming.
🔍 The Solution :
Testing SMPS efficiency involves measuring the input power and output power, then calculating efficiency as:
Efficiency (%) = (Output Power / Input Power) × 100
Use a multimeter or wattmeter to measure voltage and current on both sides. For better accuracy, test under real load conditions.
💡 Practical Example :
Suppose you’re building a 12V 2A SMPS for an IoT project. You measure 24W output (12V × 2A), but the input reads 30W from the AC side.
Efficiency = (24/30) × 100 = 80%
If your goal is >90%, consider optimizing your transformer, MOSFETs, or output filter.
📏 Sample Calculation :
If output = 5V @ 1.5A = 7.5W
Input = 9.5W → Efficiency = (7.5 / 9.5) × 100 = 78.9%
Try replacing the switching MOSFET with a lower Rds(on) version to reduce losses.
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