Buck Converters | Step-Down Switch Regulator | RS
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    Buck Converters

    A Buck Converter, also known as a Step-Down Converter, is a DC-to-DC power converter that steps down the voltage from its input to its output. A buck converter integrates the core components and circuitry needed into a single device.

    Buck converters are found in countless electronic applications, where their power regulation properties are a vital component.

    How does a Buck Converter work?

    A Buck Converter is a type of switch-mode power supply, a class of device that incorporates a switch (e.g. typically a MOSFET) to rapidly turn the circuit on and off. This rapid switching creates a square wave. If the duty cycle of the switch is set to 50%, i.e. the switch is on 50% of the time, the average voltage will be 50% of the input.

    The square wave needs to be smoothed to provide useful power, typically an inductor and capacitor are used in series to fulfil this function. This combination is called an LC low pass filter. The properties of an inductor smooth the current flow, while the capacitor resists sudden changes in voltage. The combined effect produces a relatively smooth voltage output with low ripple. For example, if the input voltage is 10V and the switch employs a duty cycle of 50%, the output voltage will be 5V.

    A further necessary component of a Buck Converter is to incorporate a diode or other switch in parallel with the inductor. This is to compensate for the property of an inductor, in that the current in an inductor cannot instantly change, protecting the switching transistor from being overloaded and destroyed.

    Buck Converters also incorporate additional circuitry to ensure a stable output voltage. The converter uses a closed-loop control scheme with negative feedback to monitor the voltage output and dynamically adjusts the duty cycle of the switch to regulate the output voltage.

    Design considerations

    • Buck Converters are very efficient, with some devices offering efficiencies of above 95%.
    • Buck Converters can be more cost-effective than linear regulators at higher power levels, the cost of removing the heat generated by a linear regulator may be less than employing a Buck Converter.
    • The output of a Buck Converter will feature a noise, meaning the more stable output of a linear voltage regulator is better suited for application requiring low output noise.
    • Linear regulators can respond faster to input and output changes versus a buck converter.

    1163 Products showing for Buck Converters

    Texas Instruments
    Switching Regulator
    10A
    6 V
    Buck Controller
    0.8 V
    6 V
    36 V
    Adjustable
    Surface Mount
    -
    1
    350 kHz
    11
    TO-PMOD
    ±0.2 %
    1 mV/A
    STMicroelectronics
    -
    4.5A
    3.6 V
    Buck Converter
    3 V
    3.5 V
    -
    Adjustable
    -
    -
    1
    -
    16
    QFN
    -
    -
    DiodesZetex
    -
    2A
    -
    Synchronous Buck Converter
    -
    4.5 V
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    onsemi
    Switching Regulator
    3A
    5.25 V
    Buck Controller
    4.75 V
    8 V
    40 V
    Adjustable
    Surface Mount
    -
    1
    63 kHz
    5
    D2PAK
    -
    -
    ROHM
    -
    3.5A
    42 V
    Buck Controller
    0.8 V
    4.5 V
    -
    -
    -
    -
    1
    -
    8
    HTSOP-J8ES
    -
    -
    Texas Instruments
    Switching Regulator
    3A
    6 V
    Buck Controller
    0.8 V
    6 V
    42 V
    Adjustable
    Surface Mount
    -
    1
    400 kHz
    7
    TO-PMOD
    0.01 %
    1.5 mV/A
    DiodesZetex
    -
    1A
    50 V
    Buck Controller
    -0.3 V
    8 V
    48 V
    Adjustable
    Surface Mount
    -
    2
    600 kHz
    8
    SOIC
    -
    -
    Texas Instruments
    Switching Regulator
    3A
    -
    Buck Controller, Inverting
    -
    4 V
    60 V
    Fixed
    Surface Mount
    -
    1
    58 kHz
    5
    D2PAK (TO-263)
    -
    -
    onsemi
    Switching Regulator
    500mA
    5.25 V
    Buck Controller, Inverting
    4.75 V
    4.75 V
    40 V
    Fixed
    Through Hole
    -
    1
    52 kHz
    8
    PDIP
    -
    -
    Intersil
    -
    3A
    5.5 V
    Buck Regulator
    4.3 V
    4.5 V
    -
    Adjustable
    -
    -
    1
    -
    12
    DFN
    -
    -
    Texas Instruments
    -
    1A
    6 V
    Buck
    0.9 V
    3 V
    17 V
    Adjustable
    Surface Mount
    -
    1
    2.25 MHz
    8
    WSON
    0.02 %/V
    0.05 %/A
    Texas Instruments
    Switching Regulator
    3A
    -
    Buck Controller, Inverting
    -
    4.5 V
    40 V
    Fixed
    Through Hole
    -
    1
    173 kHz
    5
    TO-220
    -
    -
    Texas Instruments
    Switching Regulator
    2A
    -
    Buck Controller, Inverting
    -
    4.5 V
    60 V
    Fixed
    Surface Mount
    -
    1
    173 kHz
    5
    D2PAK (TO-263)
    -
    -
    Renesas Electronics
    -
    300mA
    12 V
    Buck
    1 V
    3.5 V
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    onsemi
    Switching Regulator
    1A
    37 V
    Buck Controller, Inverting
    1.23 V
    4.75 V
    40 V
    Adjustable
    Through Hole
    -
    1
    52 kHz
    5
    TO-220
    -
    -
    Intersil
    -
    3A
    5.5 V
    Buck Regulator
    4.3 V
    4.5 V
    -
    Adjustable
    -
    -
    1
    -
    12
    DFN
    -
    -
    Texas Instruments
    Switching Regulator
    1A
    -
    Buck Controller
    -
    4.5 V
    60 V
    Fixed
    Surface Mount
    -
    1
    173 kHz
    5
    D2PAK (TO-263)
    -
    -
    Texas Instruments
    Switching Regulator
    3A
    -
    Buck Controller
    0.8 V
    3.5 V
    28 V
    Adjustable
    Surface Mount
    -
    1
    684 kHz
    8
    SOIC
    -
    -
    Renesas Electronics
    -
    2A
    -
    Buck Regulator
    -
    2.8 V
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    STMicroelectronics
    Switching Regulator
    1A
    35 V
    Buck Controller
    1.235 V
    4.4 V
    36 V
    Adjustable
    Surface Mount
    -
    1
    500 kHz
    8
    SOIC
    10 mV
    15 mV
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