First a little disclaimer: I've a newbie question which is simple, but somehow I can't explain it to myself. I'm interested in how electrical signals can trigger let's say a movement, which requires much more electricity. Let's say that a controller sets a signal on one of its PINs and this causes some rotation in a motor. The rotation requires much more power, than this signal can provide, so somehow the signal is augmented or boosted. Is this the work of a voltage converter? Can you please explain to me how this mechanism works? Thanks
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\$\begingroup\$ The class of devices has various names, drives, controllers or interface depending. A simple H-bridge motor controller would take 2 to 4 digital inputs to control the speed, direction and regenerative breaking of a motor. A simple relay could be switched with a transistor from a single digital pin and turn a motor (of any chosen size) on and off. There is no limit to the complexity. \$\endgroup\$– KalleMPCommented Nov 13, 2014 at 8:50
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A power amplifier is usually what is used. Think of a microphone signal (just a few milli volts at very low current). The output from a microphone in electrical terms is barely a milli watt or so yet, this can be amplified up to incredible levels for blasting out over a tannoy, megaphone or the stage of a rock band (probably around 1000 watts).
Similarly power amplifiers can be used to control electrical motors from very small signals.
A "voltage converter" isn't really defined in terms of anything much - the real mechanism boosts power.
