AC-DC power supply is needed in most households and professional working areas. Its basic function is to turn the alternating current (AC) supply from the mains into a stable direct current (DC) that can power an item.

You'll find most voltages in our extensive collection of power supplies. These all come from some of the best and biggest brands in the industry, so you know you're only getting high-quality products when you shop with us.

With so many to choose from, we recommend using our advanced filters to narrow down your search. Once you find the product for you, we may be able to offer you same-day dispatch as part of our excellent customer service.

Need help finding the right AC-DC power supply or want to learn more about shopping at RS? Our experts are always here to help. Contact us now and we'll do our best to assist with your query.

How are AC-DC power supplies used?

Everyday items in your home will also convert AC power from the mains into DC power. Examples include microwaves, kettles, and lights.

DC power is also easy to store in batteries, which is why it's such a popular option for portable electronic devices like laptops.

What are the different types of AC-DC power supplies?

Linear

A linear power supply features a basic design with three components. This includes an input transformer, a rectifier and an output filter. The AC power will go through the input transformer before being adjusted by the rectifier to meet the DC output needed to power an appliance. The adjusted voltage will then pass through the output filter to the device it's powering.

Switching

This power is more complex than linear but offers greater efficiency as it eliminates the need for large step-down transformers. This AC-DC power supply filters and rectifies the voltage at the input and then the power goes through a converter – sometimes known as a DC chopper. It is finally filtered and rectified to the necessary DC output.

What is PFC?

PFC stands for power factor correction. The power factor is the amount of energy a device can transmit compared to the amount of energy it gets from the power source.

There are two types of power correction: active and passive. The active method corrects the input AC voltage but requires several components, making it more expensive. The passive method only uses filters and cannot cope with higher voltages.

What are the different AC-DC power supply voltages available at RS?

Every appliance will have its own DC power output, which means you'll need to choose the right one. These are some of the more common types we have available:

5V DC power supply
9V DC power supply
12V(A, 2A, 3A) DC power supply
15V DC power supply
24V DC power supply
48V DC power supply

Why buy AC-DC power supplies from RS?

Take your pick from our vast collection of AC-DC power supplies. This includes the likes of 12V and 48V DC power supplies from leading manufacturers like Bel Power Solutions and MEAN WELL, so you can be confident you're getting the very best that the industry has to offer.

We also make the shopping experience efficient and seamless with our handy search filters. Once you've found the product you're looking for, we'll get it processed and ready to ship. All orders come from our technologically advanced distribution center in Texas, so we're able to offer same-day dispatch on some items.

The RS team is always here to help and can be contacted if you have questions about the AC-DC power supply products in our range. Simply get in touch today to speak to one of our experts. You can also keep up to date with all things technology and automation in our expert hub.