Hi Colin,

I think people sometimes associate linear supplies with linear amplifiers, and SMPS with switching amplifiers. There's nothing intrinsically inefficient with linear supplies, they're just bigger, heavier and more expensive. SMPS are generally more efficient, but not like switching amplifiers are more efficient. There IS more heat generated, but then most of the heat is generated by the controller itself anyway. I found that the linear supply reaches thermal equilibrium at about the same temperature as the rest of the controller. So there is more heat, but not too much more. I hope that answers the question? If you want to more information, there are several posts throughout this thread where I've given power load and disipation measurements.

BR, Nick

Last edited by WelwynNick; 2012-04-21 07:57.