Is there any difference between switching regulators and converters? I have read about step-down voltage regulator and buck converters and they seem to be the same. So, can I use the term converter instead of switching regulator or is not it the same? For example, in LM2596 datasheet, are use both terms to describe the circuit.
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1\$\begingroup\$ The difference is between "Switching" and "Linear". \$\endgroup\$– Eugene Sh.Commented Jul 8, 2021 at 15:17
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\$\begingroup\$ Something that calls itself a regulator is going to regulate the voltage; a converter may not necessarily (but almost all of them do). \$\endgroup\$– HearthCommented Jul 8, 2021 at 15:28
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\$\begingroup\$ A converter could mean anything that er.. converts. \$\endgroup\$– Andy akaCommented Jul 8, 2021 at 15:29
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1\$\begingroup\$ One does not imply the other @Anna - A step-down switching regulator doesn't always imply a buck type conversion. \$\endgroup\$– Andy akaCommented Jul 8, 2021 at 15:43
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1\$\begingroup\$ @Anna \$ apple \Rightarrow fruit \$, but \$ fruit \nRightarrow apple \$. You can safely say "switching regulator." \$\endgroup\$– Andrew MortonCommented Jul 8, 2021 at 19:34
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1 Answer
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Step-down Voltage Regulator: A device that converts a voltage to a lower voltage, and regulates the output to a constant voltage. It may use linear or switching topology.
Buck Converter: A device that steps voltage down by switching the input on and off rapidly and feeding it into an inductor to 'buck' the voltage.
All buck converters are step-down converters, and most are regulated.
Not all step-down converters are buck converters. They can instead use a transformer, capacitors (eg. LTC1503), or a linear series pass element. Linear regulators can only reduce the voltage, but switching regulators may also be able to increase it (in which case they are called 'boost' or 'buck/boost' regulators). Transformer based converters often have a galvanically isolated output which can be used alone or connected to another voltage source to increase the voltage. The term 'DC/DC converter' encompasses all devices that convert one DC voltage to another DC voltage - whether switching or linear, regulated or unregulated, isolated or not.
answered Jul 8, 2021 at 19:40