Types of Commercial DC DC Converters- Switching methodology

As far as electrical and electronic world is concerned, a DC-Dc converter is an electromechanical circuit that converts one source of direct current (DC) from one voltage level to another. The voltage level is either increased or decreased depending upon the requirement. This principle is used widely at various places of industries under the segment of commercial DC DC converter. According to the electrical segment, the DC-DC converters are categorised into two different categories, as follows-

• Linear DC-DC Converter
• Switched DC-DC Converter

Linear DC-DC Converter

Linear DC-DC converter is the simplest form of the DC-DC converter. It uses a resistive voltage drop to create and regulate an output voltage. The linear DC-DC converter generates a voltage that is always lower than the main input voltage.

Switched DC-DC Converter

The switched DC-DC converters are the upgraded one in the DC-DC converter segment. It converts the stored energy and then releases the same energy to the output at a different voltage periodically. The mode of storage varies and can be in the form of either magnetic field component or as in the case of electric field component. The magnetic field component can be in the form of inductor or a transformer. On the other hand, the electric field component can be in the form of capacitor. The transformer-based converter provides the required isolation between the input and the output.

The switched DC-DC converters have the following advantages-

• Higher efficiency- The switched DC-DC converters have much higher power conversion efficiency
• As the switching frequency is higher in the DC-DC converters, the secondary components are smaller and as there are lower losses, it helps in simplifying the thermal management.
• The stored energy as in the case of inductor in the switched DC-DC converter can be transformed into an output voltage that can be either smaller than the input for the case of step-down or greater than the output as in the case of boost converters.

DC-DC Converter as Step Down in Industry

In a DC–DC step down converter, the output voltage level is always lower than the input voltage level, so this sort of arrangement can be used to connect high voltages to low load sources. The industrial DC DC converter that is a step-down one converts the current by an inductor that is controlled by two switches.

The main advantage of DC-DC step down converter is that the load current can easily be split. The splitting of the switches helps to reduce the heating effect of the switches.

DC DC Converter as Step up in Industry

In a DC-DC step up converter, the output voltage is higher than the input voltage. This type of arrangement is used to join low voltages to high load voltage. It works by stepping up the voltage while stepping down the current from its supply to load. It uses a power switch and an inductor to transfer energy from input to output.

The commercial DC DC converter is being used broadly at various places. The scope of utility of the converters is broadening. The converters like waterproof DC DC converters are becoming more popular day-by-day because of their durability against water.

Lilly Allen is an electrical engineer by professional and a writer by profession. She is currently researching on custom power products and power supply and shares her thoughts and knowledge through his blogs and articles.