Magnetic cores for switching power supplies

1 June 2005 Power Electronics / Power Management

The advantages of switching power supplies (SPS) are well documented. Various circuits used in these units have also been sufficiently noted in literature. Magnetic cores play an important role in SPS circuitry. They are made from a variety of raw materials, a range of manufacturing processes, and are available in a variety of geometries and sizes.

Each material has its own unique properties. Therefore, the requirements for each application of a core in the power supply must be examined in light of the properties of available magnetic materials so that a proper core choice can be made.

Suntronika, the local South African agent for Magnetics (www.mag-inc.com), has a 23-page presentation available that describes the various magnetic materials used for cores in switching power supplies, their method of manufacture, and useful magnetic characteristics as related to major sections of the power supply.

Cores can be classified into three basic types: tape wound cores, powder cores, and ferrites. The choice of material, shape and size of cores used in switching power supplies can be complicated. The paper is intended to give engineers sufficient background information to at least guide them into the right ballpark for selecting the most cost-effective magnetic core for a particular design.

Additional core details on material descriptions and characteristics, plus sizes and specific design information, are available in a number of other catalogues also available from Magnetics.

If you wish to have this article e-mailed to you please contact Suntronika, +27 (0)11 403 3420, lpinnoy@suntronika.com

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