Summary of The SilentSwitcher, A Quiet Mains-free Power Supply
The SilentSwitcher is a compact 55 x 31 mm power supply module designed for noise-sensitive audio projects. It eliminates mains noise and ground loops by operating on USB or power banks, combining switching and linear regulation to deliver stable ±15V and selectable low-voltage outputs.
Parts used in the SilentSwitcher:
- SilentSwitcher module
- Texas Instruments TPS7A47 linear regulator
- Texas Instruments TPS7A33 linear regulator
- 5V USB adapter or power bank (power source)
- Switching regulator components
- Linear regulators
Audio projects become smaller over time with the rapid advancement of technology. A traditional power supply is still considered large compared to audio projects size constraints and it may not fit such delicate applications that need to deliver a good sound with zero noise.
Jan Didden, audio specialist who is known for his own publications Linear Audio, has came up with a new idea that can help in perfecting audio projects. The SilentSwitcher is a 55 x 31 mm special power supply module designed to supply clean power to high-end analog and digital audio circuits.
One goal of this power supply that it doesn’t need to connect to the mains, you can use it with a USB charger or with a power bank… All problems with ground loops and mains born noise are not existing”- Jan Didden, the designer of The SilentSwitcher
The SilentSwitcher uses a combination of switching and linear regulators to generate a stable and noise-free supply voltage. The module can be powered from a 5V USB adapter, or from a 5V power bank for complete isolation. It delivers ±150 mA and a choice of 6V, 5V or 3.3V at 0.5 A to benefit most of your applications. The absolute maximum input voltage is 12VDC but in normal operation it is preferable to limit it to 10VDC.
Output specifications:
- Outputs (analog): +15 and -15 VDC at 150mA* each;
- Output (6/5/3.3V): selectable 6, 5 or 3.3 VDC at 0.5A*;
- Output noise (6/5/3.3V): less than 1mV broadband
- Output impedance (analog): less than 10mΩ (+15V) and 80mΩ (-15V) at 20kHz
- Output impedance (6/5/3.3V): less than 3mV drop with 100mA current step.
15V output at 150mA are provided thanks to the very low noise linear regulators of Texas Instruments TPS7A47, TPS7A33 that suppress all the noise from the switching regulator by a factor of one thousand even at 1 Megahertz. Such chips have driven zero noise to switcher technology and have shown incredible quiet and low noise performance.
Read more: The SilentSwitcher, A Quiet Mains-free Power Supply
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What is the SilentSwitcher?
It is a 55 x 31 mm special power supply module designed to supply clean power to high-end analog and digital audio circuits. -
Can I use the SilentSwitcher with a power bank?
Yes, the module can be powered from a 5V power bank for complete isolation and zero mains-born noise. -
Does the SilentSwitcher connect to the mains?
No, one goal of this power supply is that it does not need to connect to the mains. -
What are the analog output specifications?
It provides +15 and -15 VDC at 150mA each. -
How much noise does the 6/5/3.3V output produce?
The output noise is less than 1mV broadband. -
Which chips suppress the noise from the switching regulator?
Texas Instruments TPS7A47 and TPS7A33 linear regulators suppress all noise by a factor of one thousand. -
What is the maximum input voltage allowed?
The absolute maximum input voltage is 12VDC, though normal operation prefers limiting it to 10VDC.
