What to Consider for Selecting Power Supplies for IoT Applications

With the rise of smart devices and the Internet of Things (IoT), the need for low voltage DC is everywhere. In particular, as the performance of these smart devices is growing, so does their power consumption. 

For those smart home devices that can be plugged into the power grid, it is crucial to ensure a continuous and stable power supply. Any failure to do so can result in higher electricity costs, unnecessary power waste, or a general inconvenience for homeowners. Below we will review more in detail what aspects to consider when selecting power supplies for IoT applications. 

More about Power Supply Design for IoT Applications

The IoT is an umbrella term that covers many groups of related concepts that share common features, including distributed intelligence, multiple interconnected sensors, and decentralized control. In practice, IoT means that certain spaces, environments, or objects can be made “smart” by incorporating sensors that can communicate to make them behave intelligently. IoT examples include offices that adjust themselves to ambient light levels or human presence, machines that monitor their health, or homes that learn our daily routines to automatically save energy without compromising on our comfort.

All of this new technology needs power: either highly efficient, low standby consumption AC/DC power supplies that can be used in a smart office with hundreds of intelligent sensor nodes, energy harvesting solutions, or cost-effective, space-saving DC/DC power modules. Not every power supply is suitable for an Internet of Things application. They must be highly efficient at both low load and full load; they must be able to handle fast transient and dynamic load currents, they must be physically compact, they must be reliable, and, above all, they must be affordable as they will be as ubiquitous as the sensors, processors, radios, and actuators that they supply. 

Like many other similar applications, the power supply for IoT devices should have a compact design and a reasonable price. On the one hand, the market requires a higher value per unit of PCB, and the compact design can save costs and achieve higher power density and efficiency. On the other hand, the compact design can save space, meeting the demand of the limited circuit space.

Electromagnetic interference (EMI) can affect circuits through electromagnetic induction, electrostatic coupling, or conduction, reducing the performance of IoT systems. To reduce the influence of EMI, choosing the power supply certified by CISPR32/EN55032 Class B is wise. Safety is another important factor to consider when designing a power supply for IoT applications. In case of irregularity provided by the power supply or inadequate protection, a short circuit in the converter could expose the device and its user to the mains voltage, which can be deadly. Even a minor failure in delivering a reliable power supply could maybe not harm the users, but irregularity can still cause the device to malfunction and reduce its longevity. 

After all, the worldwide number of IoT-connected devices is projected to only increase shortly, reaching a staggering number of 75 billion by 2025. To not put even more stress on already fragile power grids, it is important to work on making IoT electric circuits as sustainable and power-efficient as possible. 

MORNSUN’s Power Supply Solutions for IoT Applications

Power is the most quintessential requirement for a smart IoT device. Without power, and without power being managed and distributed properly, a smart home device can either not work or cause electric shock. To guarantee sufficient levels of safety, selecting reliable, long-lasting power supplies for the design of IoT devices is important. 

MORNSUN, for example, has designed a whole series of power modules precisely for IoT applications. In particular, the MORNSUN 3-90W LD-R2 Series are ultra-compact and cost-effective AC/DC converters for applications with space limitations. The MORNSUN AC/DC Converters 1-15W LS-R3 Series is a series of miniature and highly efficient power modules that adopts flexible peripheral circuit and thus represent a cost-effective solution for several industries and applications. 

With over 25 years of experience in the power supply industry, MORNSUN has already provided power supplies that are used in circuits for numerous industries worldwide. Contact us to request more information on how our power modules can help you in your IoT device circuit design.

For more information, please visit www.mornsun-power.com