Monday, November 28, 2011

Things to Check When Buying Power Converters

With the number of electric and electronic devices surfacing every now and then, the need for a way to eradicate input power differences has become more recurring than ever. Today, the electricity we get for domestic use is usually in 220 volts, which is quite high for most of the devices we use. This is where power converters come into play.

Power converters are used to change the values of the input current to achieve the desired output. Broadly classifying there are two types of converters – AC-DC converter and DC-DC converter. As the name suggests, Ac-DC converter is used to change the power from alternate current to direct current, while DC-DC converter is used to change the values of direct current.

When there is a need to buy a power converter, you need to take into consideration the following factors:

Industry Compliance – If the converter is required for an industrial application, you need to make sure that the component or device you are buying complies with the industrial compliance standards governing the industry.

Environmental Compliance – With power devices playing a major role in the rise of pollution, it is very important to ensure that the emission caused by the device is in compliance with the environmental standards of your region.

Energy Compliance – The ongoing power crisis makes it extremely important to be sure about the energy efficiency of the device you are buying. Always make sure the efficiency is well above the threshold.

Configuration Need – At times, there can be a need to configure the converter to get the output unachievable through reconfigured options being sold in the market. If this is the case, buy a configurable converter.

Design and Packaging – The size and shape of the converter is also very critical if it is to be placed in a tight spot. Thus, before buying the power converter, always ensure that the design and the packaging of the converter is suitable as per your need.

Quality – Last but not the least is the quality. When out to buy power converter, no matter whether you need to buy an AC-DC converter or a Dc Dc converter, always go for a trusted name in the business and never get lured by cheap imports.

When buying a power product it is usually more than just the work that is at stake. Hence, always go for one of the reliable names in the business for the safety of the user.

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

An Introduction to Power Regulators


With electronic gadgets intruding every aspect of human existence, the possibility of life on the planet without such manmade marvels seems to be close to impossible. Every electronic gadget is made up of a number of highly complex components ranging from integrated circuit chips to high performance power switches. However, when we talk about the architecture of electronic devices, one of the most frequently used components is power regulators.

So what are power regulators?

It is fairly simple to understand that different components used in the development of electronic devices often demand different types of inputs. The input may be in the form of alternate current or can be direct current. Even if the type of current is a constant, the need to alter the amperage often comes into picture. Power regulators are especially made devices aimed at regulating the flow of current.

As most electronic devices use DC to DC power regulators, we are going to discuss them only. To begin with, DC power converters can be classified into two categories:

  1.   Boost converter
  2.   Buck converter

Now, as the names suggest, a boost converter (also referred to as boost regulator) is a DC to DC power converter aimed at increasing the current to the desired level. In contrast, buck converters are DC-DC converters used to step down the current to any desired level. 

Both boost regulator as well as buck converter are readily used in a wide array of electronic devices and are readily available at electronic components stores. However, with Chinese imports greatly deteriorating the quality of electronic components being sold in the market, it is very important that such critical components must be bought from a reliable source only. 

How to Buy?

Just like everything under the sun, power components such as boost regulator, buck converter, and the likes can be easily purchased online. The main reason for going for the online market is the freedom you get to check the authenticity as well as the quality of components you buy. Unlike conventional stores giving you no way to check the quality of the buy, online dealers offering such components always maintain a testimonials section to let you read about the orders they have delivered in the past.

Furthermore, with every notable supplier of electronic components delivering your buy right at your door, you can experience the easiest way to buy such components without having to face any of the hassles that come with conventional way of buying such supplies.