Flyback converters are among the most popular isolated power supply topologies used in power electronics. They are commonly found in: At the heart of every flyback converter is the flyback transformer. Although commonly called a transformer, a flyback transformer behaves differently from traditional transformers because it stores energy during part of the switching cycle. This … Read more
Even the best inductor design can perform poorly if the PCB layout is not optimized. In modern switching power supplies, PCB layout directly affects: Many power electronics problems that appear to be magnetic issues are actually caused by poor PCB layout. This guide explains the most important PCB layout practices engineers use when integrating power … Read more
When engineers evaluate inductors, one of the first specifications they often examine is DCR. DCR, or DC Resistance, has a major impact on efficiency, temperature rise, voltage drop, and overall power supply performance. While inductance usually receives the most attention, DCR often determines whether a design runs cool and efficiently or wastes energy as heat. … Read more
High current inductors are found in some of the most demanding power electronics applications including EV chargers, industrial motor drives, server power supplies, battery systems, and high-power DC-DC converters. Designing these inductors requires much more than simply increasing wire size. Engineers must carefully balance saturation margin, thermal performance, copper losses, core losses, manufacturability, and physical … Read more
Switching frequency is one of the most important design variables in power electronics. The chosen switching frequency affects: Understanding these tradeoffs allows engineers to optimize magnetic components for size, performance, efficiency, and manufacturability. What Is Switching Frequency? Switching frequency is the rate at which a power converter turns its switching devices on and off. It … Read more
Temperature rise is one of the most important performance indicators in magnetic component design. Even if an inductor meets its inductance target and current requirements, excessive heating can dramatically reduce efficiency, shorten component lifespan, and lead to reliability problems. Understanding why inductors get hot and how engineers reduce temperature rise is critical for designing reliable … Read more
Magnetic saturation is one of the most important concepts in magnetic component design. When an inductor core saturates, its ability to store magnetic energy rapidly decreases, causing inductance to collapse and current to rise dramatically. Understanding saturation is essential for designing reliable switching power supplies, DC-DC converters, power filters, and high-current magnetic components. In this … Read more
Choosing the right core material for an inductor makes a noticeable difference in how your circuit performs. There’s a lot going on inside that seemingly simple coil, and it’s not just about winding some wire. The type of core you decide to use affects things like efficiency, the amount of heat generated, and how much … Read more
DC resistance, commonly called: is one of the most important parameters in power inductor design. DCR directly affects: Reducing DCR improves efficiency, but often increases: Practical magnetic design requires balancing DCR against thermal, mechanical, and manufacturing constraints. This guide explains how DCR affects inductor performance and how engineers optimize magnetic designs for efficiency and manufacturability. … Read more
Inductors crop up everywhere in electronics, from power supplies to audio systems. They’ve got this super useful property called inductance, but there’s something that can throw a wrench in the works—inductor saturation. When an inductor saturates, it doesn’t work the way you might expect, causing some weird results in your circuit. I’m breaking down what … Read more
