The process of converting alternating current (ac) into direct current (dc) is called ac-to-dc conversion. To achieve this, a converter is used that takes ac as the input and provides dc at the output. Such devices are known as ac-to-dc converters. In a previous experiment, a non-isolated 12-V ac-to-dc converter was designed. Building on that…
220 V AC to 5V/0.1A DC converter
A reliable 5 V supply is at the heart of countless electronic applications, from chargers and adapters to small-scale embedded systems. In this project, we’ll walk through the design of a compact 5 V power supply that operates directly from the AC mains. To achieve this, we’ve chosen a non-isolated topology — a common approach…
Tutorial 11: How to design a constant current source using switching topology?
In our previous experiments, we designed a current source using a linear regulator. Linear regulators are simple to use but dissipate a significant amount of power, which makes them less efficient and more expensive. As a result, switching regulators are gaining popularity for voltage and current sources. Switching regulators operate on a switching topology, making…
Tutorial 14: How to design an 12V ac-dc buck converter?
An ac-dc converter is commonly used in many devices. Also called a rectifier, it converts alternating current (AC) to direct current (DC). Most electronic devices, such as computers, smartphones, and electronic circuits, operate on DC power. However, there are different ways to convert AC into DC power (as discussed in the previous AC-to-DC conversion article). For…
Tutorial 12: What is ac-dc conversion and its various topologies?
This tutorial explains the process of ac to dc conversion and why it is needed. The electricity that is delivered to our home is mainly AC (Alternative Current). Different countries have different standards for domestic AC lines ranging from 100 V to 220 V. Even so, most home appliances are DC (Direct Current)-operated, although devices…