Designing for low-power operation is key in modern electronics, especially in battery-powered or always-on devices. When using a Switch Mode Power Supply (SMPS), one common issue is power waste during standby or low-load conditions. Without optimization, even a small device can drain unnecessary power.

The Problem :

SMPS circuits are efficient at medium to high loads, but in idle or sleep mode, they may still consume milliwatts of power—bad news for battery life or energy bills. This happens due to switching losses and control IC quiescent current.

The Solution :

Use an SMPS controller with burst mode or skip-cycle operation, which reduces switching frequency during low load. Combine this with a low Rds(on) MOSFET and low-leakage feedback resistors for optimal standby efficiency.

Practical Example :

Let’s say your system consumes just 5 mA at 5V during sleep.

That’s P = V × I = 5V × 0.005A = 25mW.

Choose a controller with burst mode reducing quiescent current to 0.5mA, saving significant energy over time. 

Product Suggestions :

• SMPS Controller IC

• Low Rds(on) MOSFET

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