The discovery of DC current was probably the biggest invention of modern science. Our lives have never been the same after this and now our whole society is highly dependent on electricity, so much so that a single power failure can immerse an entire city into the darkness. That is why we need a stable power outflow to keep our industries running. Without it, our government, economy, technology and society, in general, will all start to fall apart in a domino effect.
If maintaining stable power outflow is your primary aim then you have to make sure you have a power source that provides a great power output. For a lot of industrial technology, a wide range of voltage output is extremely important as there are often different machines with different voltage requirements and any fluctuation in the voltage can severely damage the machine. Not only industries but the technological field, various businesses, and private companies also need this control of voltage to maintain a smooth workflow. That is why these companies opt for a DC-DC converter to maintain a stable and constant outflow.
What Does A DC-DC Converter Do?
A DC-DC converter is an electronic circuit that helps to convert DC current of one voltage to DC current of another voltage. The type of current flow stays the same, but the converter changes or rather regulates the voltage output. These types of converters are able to convert an extremely low voltage to a very high voltage.
The converter works as a buffer between the consumer and the power source. It regulates and stabilizes the power output so that the device is safe from any voltage fluctuation thereby prolonging its life.
Where Is It Used?
Any device needs a limited stable power input that uses a DC-DC converter. Mobile phones, computers, laptops use a DC-DC converter. It is also used in wind turbines and photovoltaic systems to maximize power usage. Another common use of the DC-DC converter is transformers. Lastly, DC micro-grid applications for different voltage consumption rely heavily on DC-DC converters.
Types Of DC Converters
You can’t simply go to the store and ask for a “DC converter”. That is because there are various types of DC-DC converters that serve a different purpose that sets them apart. If you want to buy one, there are many good companies that are developing and selling a great variety of power converters for 50 years. There are mainly three types – Isolated DC-DC power supply converters, non-isolated DC-DC converters and DC EMI Filters.
Isolated DC-DC Converters
This type of converter isolates the input and output voltage. It works as a power supply system that can convert the DC current to different voltages between input and output points. It helps to isolate the input and output voltage, thereby ensuring safety for both the device and people.
There are two ways of differentiating DC-DC converters. The flyback type will help to step up or step down the voltage while storing the energy in a transformer. The forward type is a traditional method of converting when the switch is closed.
Non-isolated DC-DC Converters
The non-isolated converter helps to convert the DC current at the input into different DC voltage at the output. The difference here is that the input and output are not isolated. This one also has three main types of the converter: step down, step up and buck-boost converter.
The step-up converter works in a way so that the output voltage is higher than the input, it “steps up” the voltage. The step-down converter gives an output voltage depending on the input voltage. In the case of a buck-boost converter, the voltage can be stepped up or down depending on the duty cycle.
DC EMI Filter
Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) or the Radio Frequency Interference (RFI) is a kind of external disturbance that affects the internal electrical circuit. It can mess with the performance of electronic equipment. The DC EMI Filter helps to combat this issue so you can maintain a smooth workflow.
Other Types
Other types of DC converter include a custom power converter and power supply converters for industrial or harsh environments.
Hopefully, now you can find definite power supply solutions with DC-DC converters.
