What alternative term is sometimes used for switching power supplies?

Switching power supplies are often referred to as DC to DC converters because they take a source of direct current (DC) and convert it to a different voltage level of direct current. This process involves switching elements that periodically turn on and off, which allows for efficient regulation of voltage and power.

The operation of a switching power supply is characterized by its ability to either step up or step down the input DC voltage while maintaining high efficiency, which is a principal advantage of this type of power supply over linear power supplies.

Other choices, such as DC to AC converters and AC to DC converters, do not accurately describe the functionality of switching power supplies as they pertain to conversions between different types of currents rather than transformations of direct currents. Pulse transformers, while related to certain switching applications, do not serve as alternative terms for switching power supplies themselves.