Swiched mode power supples

[Cockney Guy]

I would be interested to hear views on the safety of switched mode power supplies, do you think they are safe to be left on perminently? We all use them, for example, to supply power to your router, to charge your mobile phone. 240 volts AC going into that little device and very low voltage DC coming out, unlike the older mains transformer, rectification and smoothing. It seemed much safer, I think. Whats your views?

[ChuckFickens]

ahhh yes the older mains transformer, rectification and smoothing... all good ways to waste electricity and generate heat (resulting in fire)

[buildersmate]

Both devices can be designed to work under continuous loading conditions. SMPS merely lose less energy (as heat) in the conversion process.
I think you'd better stick with that old crystal set - these new fangled valves look dangerous to me - there's even a little filament heater inside the things.

[rojash]

"It seemed much safer"

Why?

[Cockney Guy]

Yes, its true that traditional PSU's generated heat but in most cases the equipment was switched off when the user left the premises, unlike SMPS's that are often left on even when, for example going on holiday for a couple of weeks and don't lets forget that SMPS's HAVE been responsible for fires in the past. I'm not suggesting we go back to old fashioned PSU's for one moment, I was just suggesting that leaving SMPS's plugged in for long periods when the premises are unattended might be unsafe. I wonder how house insurers would view the unattended use of SMPS's

[ACtheTROLL]

safe rectal smoothing .... mmmmmm!

can't quite put my finger on it ....

[DanielSparks]

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