T&T: Inverter question

[Peter Bennett]

Thursday, September 21, 2006, 1:21:42 PM, Bob wrote:

BA> "The DC to DC power supplies used for laptops are much more efficient than DC
BA> to AC to DC."

BA> How does one increase DC voltage?  My understanding is that it has to be
BA> converted to AC, (or pulsed DC) then a transformer steps up the voltage, and
BA> then converted back to DC.

Yes - DC-DC converters to convert the DC input to AC (or at least chop it up), then use a transformer or inductor to step the voltage up, and rectify the result.

 Seems to me that takes more energy than just the AC
BA> to DC rectification.

A one-piece DC-DC converter should be more efficient than separate DC->AC and AC->DC converters, as there is only one switching/control/regulating unit involved.

BA> Bob Austin

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Peter Bennett, VE7CEI    Vancouver, B.C., Canada
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