DC DC Converters

1. What are DC DC Converters?

A DC DC converter (also known as a chopper) is powered by a DC voltage source and typically consists of a diode rectifier and a DC link. The DC link consists of a large capacitor connected to the chopper input and, usually (but not always), a series inductor.

 

2. How do DC DC Converters Work?

A basic DC DC converter takes in current and passes it through a “switching element.” This converts the signal into a square wave, or AC. This square wave then passes through another filter, which converts it back into a DC signal of the desired voltage.

 

3. Why DC DC Converters are Used?

An unstable or inappropriate voltage supply can lead to degraded characteristics and even malfunction. To prevent this, a DC-DC converter is used to convert and stabilize the voltage. Devices that use a DC-DC converter to stabilize voltage are called voltage regulators.

 

4. What are the Types of DC DC Converters?

There are two types of DC/DC converters:

Linear

Linear DC/DC converters use a voltage drop across a resistor to create and regulate a given output voltage.

 

Switched

A switch-mode DC/DC converts energy by periodically storing input energy and then releasing that energy to the output at a different voltage.