There are multiple types of magnets, including temporary magnets, permanent magnets, and electromagnets. Each type of magnet has a variety of uses and can contribute to a more sustainable society. This FAQ reviews the basics of each type of magnet, looks at what it can be used for, presents some efforts to develop sustainable permanent […]
FAQ
How do magnetic poles, fields, flux and domains work?
Magnetics is a key technology for sustainable power conversion, electric vehicle motors, motion sensing and control in various medical, industrial, and consumer applications, and advanced data storage technologies. Advances in magnetics often provide the foundation for advances in electronic technologies and devices. This FAQ presents the basics of magnetic field lines and field strength, looks […]
What’s the difference between hard and soft magnetic materials?
These distinctions refer specifically to ferromagnetic and ferrimagnetic materials, not just hard and soft materials. There are super-soft, very-soft, soft, semi-hard, and hard magnetic material classifications based on the magnetic coercivity (HC) measured in ampere/meter (A/m) units or Oersteds (Oe). This FAQ is focused primarily on soft, semi-hard, and hard magnetic materials. It begins with […]
The case for AEC-Q semiconductors in non-automotive uses
Specifying parts built in AEC-Q-certified fabs is an inexpensive way of creating exceptionally reliable, long-lasting designs. Kevin Parmenter, Taiwan Semiconductor USA Electronic components used in vehicles must have a AEC-Q100 qualification; this qualification means the device has passed specific stress tests and guarantees a certain level of quality/reliability. Of course, reliability is increasingly important in […]
How to control dc microgrids
Microgrids are a great way to power locations where grid connections are unreliable, though it can be tricky to control them in robust ways. Daniel Zammit, Dept. of Industrial Electrical Power Conversion, University of Malta Microgrids get a fair amount of press coverage these days thanks to their role in distributed power generation. A typical […]
A better way to handle dc/dc converter hold-up times
Converters with built-in holdup circuitry reduce the size and requirements for input capacitors. Dr. André Buffing, L. Dinkelmann, Traco Power DC/DC converters are generally designed to maintain their output despite brief interruptions of their input power. The duration of this output hold-up often is set by the value of an external capacitor connected across the […]
Teardown: IOGEAR Smart USB-C 100-W GaN fast charger
YouTube has several videos featuring really bad designs for fast phone chargers. YouTubers doing these videos often point to problems such as transformers with chintzy insulation, line capacitors that lack the correct safety rating, and even chargers with plastic cases that heat up so much that they actually melt when there’s a heavy load. Fortunately, […]
Key considerations when integrating high voltage DC-DC converters into critical applications
By Hafiz Khalid, Director of Product Marketing at XP Power Over the years, through observations in the field and conversations with design engineers, four challenges regularly present themselves when integrating high-voltage DC-DC power modules into critical, long-term applications. The most important criterium is to define the requirements of the power module correctly, then consider the […]
What’s a protective relay and what does it protect?
A protection relay is a smart device that receives inputs like current, voltage, resistance, temperature, or even light, compares them to set points, and provides outputs such as visual feedback in the form of indicator lights and/or an alphanumeric display, communications, control warnings, alarms, and turning the power off and on. They are used for […]
Dispelling Myths: Don’t believe it when they say you need a bipolar gate drive for eGaN FETs
Use of a negative gate drive can lead to a larger voltage drop during deadtime and severe losses. Andrea Gorgerino, EPC GaN devices have gone from initial R&D to mainstream designs over the last 15 years. Unfortunately, there are many misunderstandings left-over from those early-stage developments or dead-end technology branches. One of the most pernicious […]
