Switcher ICs for High-Efficiency Power Supplies: 175W Delivery

Power Integrations recently unveiled the TinySwitch™-5 ICs, designed to enhance the efficiency of power supplies by increasing the output power to 175 W. These switcher ICs are capable of achieving an impressive efficiency of up to 92 percent through basic diode rectification and optocoupler feedback. Featuring an advanced control engine, the TinySwitch-5 ICs effectively manage switching frequency and power delivery to maximize efficiency, even under light loads. This unique capability allows power supplies to easily comply with the European Commission Energy-related Products (ErP) Directive 2009/125/EC, which mandates a light-load power consumption limit of 300 mW, while still providing up to 220 mW output power for various functions such as display, controls, and communications.

Moreover, the enhanced thermal package of the TinySwitch-5 ICs enables them to deliver up to 75 W without the need for a heatsink. Additionally, the inclusion of line under- and over-voltage protection ensures the robustness of these ICs, making them suitable for use in regions with unstable mains power. With over six billion units sold globally, TinySwitch ICs have gained widespread popularity in bias and auxiliary supplies across various sectors including appliances, computing, communications, industrial, and medical applications. These ICs were the first to integrate Power Integrations’ EcoSmart™ technology, which has contributed significantly to reducing standby power waste, saving an estimated 200 terawatt-hours of electricity since its inception in 1998.

Silvestro Fimiani, the Director of Product Marketing at Power Integrations, emphasized the significance of TinySwitch in the realm of small power supplies, attributing its success to its efficiency and user-friendly design. Fimiani highlighted that with TinySwitch-5, designers can now scale up to 175 W at maximum power output while effortlessly meeting the 220 mW output requirement, thus catering to the needs of appliance manufacturers adhering to the European Union ErP-mandated 300 mW standby power regulation.

For those interested in acquiring the TinySwitch-5 ICs, pricing starts at $0.35 for 10,000 units. Additionally, reference designs are readily available to assist users in implementing these ICs effectively. These reference designs include a 12 W single-output power supply (DER-1017), a 26.5 W dual-output power supply with exceptional standby efficiency (RDR-1016), a 36 W single-output power supply with high efficiency at light load (DER-1040), and a 120 W power supply boasting 92 percent efficiency at 230 V AC (DER-1027).