Buck Converter Calculator
Buck Converter Calculator
Example: 12V for a typical input
Example: 5V for a typical output
Example: 50kHz for typical applications
Example: 2A for a typical load
Example: 20% for moderate ripple
Results
Duty Cycle:
Inductance:
Capacitance:
Ripple Voltage:
Buck Converters: Step-Down Voltage Regulation
What is a Buck Converter?
A buck converter is a DC-DC switching regulator that efficiently steps down higher input voltage to a lower output voltage. Key features:
- High efficiency (typically 85-95%)
- Wide input voltage range
- PWM-based voltage regulation
- Compact size compared to linear regulators
Basic Operation
Working Principle
- Switch (MOSFET) turns ON: Current flows through inductor to load
- Switch turns OFF: Inductor current continues through diode
- Output capacitor filters the pulsating voltage
- Control circuit maintains output through PWM
Buck Converter Calculator
V
V
Duty Cycle: 0%
Inductor Value: 0 μH
Ripple Current: 0 mA
Minimum Capacitance: 0 μF
Key Design Formulas
Duty Cycle
D = Vout / Vin
Inductor Selection
L = (Vin - Vout) × D / (ΔIL × f)
Output Capacitance
Cout = ΔIL / (8 × f × ΔVout)
Component Selection Guide
| Component | Selection Criteria |
|---|---|
| Inductor | Low DCR, saturation current > peak current |
| Capacitor | Low ESR, voltage rating 1.5×Vout |
| Diode | Fast recovery, current rating > Iout |
| MOSFET | Low RDS(on), fast switching |
Common Applications
- Voltage regulation for microcontrollers
- Battery-powered devices
- LED drivers
- Automotive electronics
- Solar power systems
