Power Sources

Electronic devices/machines will not function unless power is introduced to them. And in our current age, power sources plays a significant role not only in electronics but also in our ways of living specially in developed areas. What will be shown here are some of the power sources being used.

External DC Power Supply

1. Direct DC Power Supplies
Outlets generally are AC in nature. Most electronic devices run on direct current, and as much as possible, power source are regulated. Either the DC power supply is built in or separate with the system of the machine.
Built in power supplies are already built in the device or machine and can be directly plugged to AC outlets. This built in supplies automatically converts AC to DC inside the system. Some also contains built in regulators.
External power supplies are often used when this machines/devices are in the experimental/development stage, where the user can manipulate and gather data.

Alkaline Batteries

2. Batteries

Rechargeable
Battery

Batteries could be non-rechargeable or rechargeable depending on the use.
Non-rechargeable batteries are commonly used with machine/devices that exhibits low power consumption.
Rechargeable batteries are used for devices/machines that are always used and are more practical if it has recharging capabilities. It also releases a higher current output compared to non rechargeable batteries which is very useful to actuators like motors that requires a higher amount of current in order to function.

Solar Cells

3. Solar Cells
This are electrical devices that converts light energy to electrical energy and can be incorporated with hi-tech devices.
Solar cells are used as an alternative source of power source for batteries or external power supplies as long as light sources like the sun (the most common source of solar power) is available.




4. Combination of Rechargeable Batteries and Solar Cells
Due to the disadvantages of batteries and solar cells, some innovations implemented  in using  both power sources. Some even combined additional power sources just to maximize power efficiency (like alternators for cars and wind turbines for homes/sailboats).