Electricity from the grid is transmitted in the form of poorly regulated AC (whi ch varies worldwide from 100 to 240VAC),

while electronic circuits normally requ ire well stabilized low-voltage DC isolated from the mains. That's why virtually every piece of electronic equipment needs some form of power conversion. Power supply unit (PSU), technically speaking, is a device that transfers electr ic energy from a source to a load and in the process changes its characteristics to meet specific requirements. Of course, this term is not the most adequate. A PSU does not really supply power, it only converts it. Anyway, a typical applic ation of power supplies is to convert a utility's AC into required regulated DC rail(s) and to provide safety isolation from the mains. Depending on the mode of operation of the semiconductors, the devices can be linear or switching (SMPS). SMPS stands for switch mode PSU. In such a supply, power handling electronic com ponents are continuously switching "on" and "off" with high frequency in order t o provide the transfer of electric energy via energy storage components (inducto rs and capacitors). By varying duty cycle, frequency or a relative phase of thes e transitions an average value of output voltage or current is controlled. The o perating frequency range of a commercial SMPS units varies typically from 50 kHz to several MHz. Below is a circuit diagram of a typical off-line SMPS. This tutorial will introd uce you to its operation.