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DC-DC Converters

A DC-to-DC converter is designed to take the voltage from a DC source (usually a battery) and convert the voltage of the supply into another DC voltage level. They can increase or decrease the voltage level. For example, it might be necessary to step down the power of a large battery of 24V to 12V to run a radio.

DC-DC conversion can either be electronic or magnetic. Electronic conversion uses switching technology. DC voltage level is converted by storing the input energy temporarily and then releasing that energy at different voltage outputs. The storage is done either in magnetic field components like an inductor, or transformers, or electric field components like capacitors. Magnetic conversion is done by storing energy in a magnetic field periodically and releasing it in a frequency range. By adjusting the duty circle of charging voltage, control of power to the load becomes easy.

Depending on the circuitry used, DC-DC converters can either be Non-isolated or Isolated converters. Non-isolated converters are generally used for small voltage conversions. The input and output terminals share a common ground in this circuit.

They include a Step-Down (Buck) converter. This generates a lower voltage than the input.

Step-up (Boost) Converter on the other produces higher voltage than the input.

The buck-boost converter works by either increasing or decreasing the input voltage.

Isolated converters have the input and output terminals separated unlike in the non-isolated converters. They are of two types. The flyback converter acts like a buck-boost but uses a transformer to store energy instead of an inductor.

Find below the DC-DC regulators for your appplication: