Buck Converter
What is a buck converter?
A buck converter is a type of DC-DC switching power supply that steps down (reduces) an input voltage to a lower output voltage with high efficiency. It uses a switching transistor, inductor, diode, and capacitor to rapidly switch the input voltage on and off, storing energy in the inductor during the on-time and releasing it during the off-time to create a lower, regulated output voltage. Buck converters are commonly used in power supplies for computers, LED drivers, and battery-powered devices because they can achieve efficiencies of 85-95%, much higher than linear regulators.
Related Terms
Buck-Boost Converter
A buck-boost converter is a DC-to-DC power converter that can either step up (boost) or step down (buck) an input voltage to produce a regulated output voltage. It combines the functionality of both buck and boost converters in a single circuit, allowing the output voltage to be higher, lower, or equal to the input voltage depending on the duty cycle of the switching control. This versatility makes it ideal for applications where the input voltage may vary widely, such as battery-powered devices where the battery voltage decreases over time.
Boost Converter
A boost converter is a type of DC-DC switching power supply that steps up (increases) an input voltage to a higher output voltage. It uses an inductor, switch (typically a MOSFET), diode, and capacitor to efficiently convert lower voltage sources like batteries into higher voltages needed by circuits. The converter works by storing energy in the inductor's magnetic field during the switch-on period, then releasing that energy at a higher voltage when the switch turns off. Boost converters are commonly used in battery-powered devices, LED drivers, and portable electronics where you need to power higher-voltage components from lower-voltage sources.