A DC-to-DC converter is an electrical system (device) that changes the voltage level of direct current (DC) sources. To put it another way, a DC-DC converter takes a DC input voltage as input and outputs another DC voltage. The difference between the DC input voltage and the DC output voltage is possible.
A DC-DC converter, as its name suggests, only functions with sources of direct current (DC) and not with sources of alternating current (AC). A DC-DC converter is often referred to as a voltage regulator or DC-DC power converter.
What are the Types of DC-to-DC converters?
There are several types of DC-to-DC converters. When it comes to the ratio of input to output voltage, these converters can be classified into two types:
- Boost DC to DC Converters: The output voltage of a boost DC-DC converter is greater than the input voltage. If we neglect the losses, power conservation dictates that the output current will be less than the input current.
- Buck DC to DC Converters: The output voltage of a buck DC-DC converter is less than the input voltage. If we ignore the losses, power conservation dictates that the output current will be greater than the input current.
Different types of DC-DC converters exist. The linear converter, often known as the linear voltage regulator, is the most basic type of DC-DC converter.
Because it can only function as a buck DC-to-DC converter, a linear voltage regulator can only reduce higher voltage levels. Because it is a regulator, it also makes sure that the output voltage is kept constant even when the output load is fluctuating. The switching DC-to-DC converter is a form of DC-to-DC converter that is more effective.
Also Read: What is Direct Current (DC)?
Linear converters predated switching DC-to-DC converters in terms of popularity. The shunt voltage regulator and the series voltage regulator are the two basic topologies available for linear voltage regulators (DC-DC converters).
Transistors are used in this style of voltage regulators as dependent current sources with relatively substantial voltage drops at high currents, squandering a lot of energy. The efficiency of a linear voltage regulator is often low due to excessive power dissipation. Although linear regulators frequently weigh a lot and are big, they are good for audio applications because of their low noise levels.
