Hi Jim,

I think Spehro's point was NOT that one should not use switching regulators
for a volume design, but that for a volume design, it is worth designing
your own SMPS circuit (quite possibly using something like Nat Semi's
Simple Switcher line which only requires a few external parts) rather than
resorting to this overpriced module whose niche is really in cases where
one needs to match the pinout of a 78xx series regulator.


At 01:45 PM 3/12/2003 -0500, you wrote:
>Hi Spehro!
>There's more to cost, -especially- in volume, than just that one part.
>Consider all the cost/space values of possibly leaving the fan out of a
>design because the regulator might be the largest or even only
>(significant) heat producer. 1) fan cost, 2) using a smaller enclosure
>because there's no fan, 3) no fan cutout (molding design/fab costs), 4) no
>fan and associated wiring parts assembly, 5) never having to worry about
>the fan failing (including fail sensor (temp or fan power) and associated
>failure/shutdown hardware/software).
>
>The cost of these power parts will also likely drop like a brick over a
>few years, so take future cost into account too. Less important of course
>if the life if the product isn't expected to be even that long which is
>all too common today.
>
>I'm not disagreeing with you, just adding to the perspective.
>
>Have a :) day!
>
>jb
>
>--
>jim barchuk
>jb@jbarchuk.com
>
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