Re: How to work out what type of power generator?

["David Buckley" <db@xxxxxxx>]

--- In ukha_d@xxxxxxx, "John Benfield" <yahoo@b...> wrote:

Not really.

SMPSs convert mains AC to DC, and then "chop" that DC at a high
frequency into a transformer.  There is almost always a feedback
loop that measures the output voltage and ajusts the chopping action
to regulate the output voltage.

Have a look at http://www.electronics-tutorials.com/basics/switched-
mode-power-supplies.htm, particularl the picture entitled "Switched
mode supply - 80% efficiency".  It shows how AC mains is rectified
to DC, smoothed by a capacitor prior to feeding the chopper.

Thus for the SMPS to work, there just has to be an adequate voltage
across the mains smoothing cap at all times.  So DC, or a
sufficiently swift frequency of sufficiently high enough voltage
will do very nicely.

Much the same is also true of inverters and on-line UPSs - but
beware of the input transformer arrangements.