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Is it possible to take a transformer out of a SMPS and use it to make a linear power supply?
No, they are completely different things.
A SMPS transformer works at 20kHz to 200kHz, a mains transformer works at just 50Hz to 60Hz.
If you connect an SMPS transformer directly to the mains, it will saturate and blow up or take out the fuse or circuit breaker (whichever happens faster).
Yes, it can be re-wound and used as an inductor or transformer in your own supply.Is there anything else that can be done with a SMPS transformer?
Mains power SMPSes really are out of the realm of the hobbyist for safety reasons but DC-DC converters aren't.Are Switch-mode PSU's out of the realm of the hobbiest?
Thats kind of disappointing. Seems like most of the salvage equipment I have is switch-mode, so I have alot of transformers that I can't do anything useful with.
It depends what frequency range it was designed for. Most switcher Xformers are designed to run at frequencies of 50kHz and up so they are useless at 60 Hz.Is it possible to take a transformer out of a SMPS and use it to make a linear power supply?
The core material and design is such that they have low loss at very fast switching frequencies, but they also saturate VERY rapidly (and at relatively low flux densities) so they can't be used at low frequencies like an iron core transformer can.In what way are they different?
Mains power SMPSes really are out of the realm of the hobbyist for safety reasons
I always hated that stuff. The closest I came to dying was when I had to design a traveling wave tube supply that was about 10kV but with serious knock down power. TWT supplies have to deliver big peak currents so they all have a huge poly film storage cap on the output. That SOB unloaded on me one day and knocked me ten feet backwards into a wall. I developed a heart arrhythmia soon after and I still think it was because of it. Real nice company to work for: when I got sick, they fired me.That depends on your level of hobby!
My hobbies use killowatts more often than watts.
Engineers have no unions, you are at the mercy of sudden termination for no cause. That was before the ADA, but a serious illness probably doesn't qualify as a disability anyway. It was a really rotten thing to do, but I was actually relieved since the diagnosis of cardiomyopathy was pretty grim and I was happy to be able to get more rest and try to get better. Which I did, no thanks to those dip sticks. No worries, Joe Varozza and his buddies will have the front rows of seats reserve for them on the express bus to hell.Were you a union member? You should have sued.