I have studied that there is a transformer which steps down the ac voltage after then bridge rectifier to convert into ac to dc and then given to filter, this is what I have learnt in books, but when I open a mobile charger I couldn't figure it out how it actually works?
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asked May 12, 2018 at 2:59
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\$\begingroup\$ Modern chargers use switching regulators. You might find some good information looking up the term "buck converter". The simple type you describe is outdated, and requires a very large, heavy, and expensive transformer, among other problems. \$\endgroup\$– HearthCommented May 12, 2018 at 3:01
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\$\begingroup\$ Here is a sample design from TI ti.com/lit/an/slua653c/slua653c.pdf lots are based on a flyback DC-DC topology \$\endgroup\$– sstobbeCommented May 12, 2018 at 3:07
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\$\begingroup\$ You should look at this. \$\endgroup\$– Long PhamCommented May 12, 2018 at 3:27
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1 Answer
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Phone chargers are incorrectly named. Most are 5 V power supplies. The charge control is done inside the phone. The power supply will continue to give out 5 V when the phone is completely charged.
Figure 1. Switched-mode power-supply block diagram.
How it works:
- The mains voltage is rectified to provide a high voltage DC supply.
- A transistor "chopper" switches this on and off at high frequency.
- A small transformer steps this down to a low-voltage high-frequency AC.
- A rectifier converts this to low-voltage DC.
- The chopper controller feeds back to the chopper and adjusts the chopping cycle to maintain the required voltage on the output - usually 5 V.
Figure 2. Anatomy of an SMPS 'charger'. Image source: Analogic Tips.
- Plug pins.
- Four diodes for the bridge rectifier.
- Smoothing capacitor for high-voltage DC.
- Switching transistor.
- Switching transformer.
- 5 V supply indication LED.
- Output rectifier and filter.
- Opto-isolator for feedback from the output to the chopper controller.
answered May 12, 2018 at 8:26
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\$\begingroup\$ I have a small doubt, as the input is a voltage after chopper inverter also ac voltage come, then why to rectify and filter in the first stage we can directly step down the voltage and place a voltage regulator to control the output why we need this complex circuit... \$\endgroup\$ Commented May 12, 2018 at 14:09
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2\$\begingroup\$ @pankajprasad - The complexity is so that the transformer operates at a high frequency, usually in the hundreds of kHz. The size of a transformer is almost inversely proportional to the frequency of operation. The circuitry to create the high-frequency requires DC to operate. This high frequency allows the transformer to be smaller, lighter and much lower in cost. The cost difference more than pays for the extra complexity. Other components such as the output filter can also be much smaller and cheaper. \$\endgroup\$ Commented May 12, 2018 at 18:26
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1\$\begingroup\$ Also the output can be made to be very stable over a wide range of input voltages - typically 100 - 240 V AC and 50 / 60 Hz. A regular transformer output voltage will not stay stable. Also the SMPS will be much lighter than a regular transformer power supply. \$\endgroup\$ Commented May 12, 2018 at 19:26