Boost converters

Came across something recently to the effect that Boost Converters no longer exist. Is this true?

Not sure what your context is, but Boost converters are prolific, as are buck converters.

Any switchmode power supply that converts an incoming voltage to a higher output voltage is a Boost Converter - billions on the planet! A buck does the opposite..

Joe

Joe: I think Larry is referring to a company in the UK rather than the generic DC-DC converter.

Like so many things the definitions of buck and boost are getting blurred. What with SEPIC converters and buck/boost converters in one package. A big plus is that a number of integrated boost converters now have output disconnect, thus getting around one of the problems with the traditional boost converter; vis, the input is connected to the output via a diode.

Andrew

Andrew,

That's why I indicated I was not sure of the context!

Odd name for a company?..

Well, a SEPIC is in fact a Buck/Boost converter. For the hell of it I once made a SEPIC style CUK converter - grinding the ferrite core gap to get the correct balance if input to output current ripple. a 2KW job, that worked very well, but had no production potential..

A diode connecting output to input - That's the normal series diode on the switching inductor - but the way you described makes it a good candidate for the Perpetual Energy Flat Earth Society!

Cheers!

Joe

I think you are referring to 'Boost Energy' whose website seems to be active here

Yes Andrew,

That,s the company I was referring to,they have been around a good many years and are well known,so I was a little surprised by the advert.

Perhaps the seller got it mixed up with something else?

I know little about these things,except that when they work,they work !,but delving into them is not my field.

When you can,t get true three phase,what else can you do ?

The show must go on !!!

That's generally the problem with SEPIC converters - lousy efficiency, expensive and not easy to design, which is why you don't tend to see them used much. Rather like most of the Cuk converters which need controllers that aren't generally available. Put them together you'd be on a bit of a losing wicket. But that hasn't stopped Mr Cuk from making a very comfortable living out of them.

Murray