We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Electrical

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What Is a Push-Pull Converter?

By Geisha A. Legazpi
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 10,144
Share

A push-pull converter is a converter circuit that uses push-type and pull-type switching devices, which are usually bipolar junction transistors (BJTs), field-effect transistors (FETs), or silicon-controlled rectifiers (SCRs). Push-pull is a term that is usually associated with two switches, with each switch connected to either a positive or a negative leg of a direct current (DC) power supply. The push-pull converter is a DC-to-DC converter that is very common due to the high circuit efficiency that is determined mostly by the power lost at the main terminals of the push-pull device and the power efficiency of the transformer used. Usually, the push-pull converter takes advantage of high-efficiency ferrite core transformers that operate in the audio frequency range to the higher audible frequencies. The push-pull converter also makes use of duty cycle control to produce a desired output voltage under carrying load conditions.

Like the push-pull converter, the flyback converter is also a DC-to-DC converter, although it can also be used in alternating current (AC)-to-DC power conversion. The flyback converter on television (TV) sets makes use of the horizontal deflection signal to produce the high positive voltage required at the anode of cathode ray tube (CRT) TVs and some plasma sets. From a signal rise-and-fall-times point of view, the rapid drop in horizontal deflection output as the CRT beam retraces to the start of the next video line is crucial in generating high voltage in the output of the flyback transformer. The resulting high voltage is rectified and filtered to obtain the anode supply, which is typically more than 20,000 volts direct current (VDC) for small CRTs.

The forward converter inputs DC and usually outputs a higher DC voltage. Forward converters have oscillators and high-frequency transformers that use push-pull output to regenerate DC voltage at the required level. Electronic equipment usually has a minimum input voltage below which the equipment stops working. The forward converter may be used to allow supply voltages below the previous minimum to still be useful. This feature is very useful for field and rescue equipment that need all energy that can be tapped given special conditions like prolonged power outages.

Push-pull output may be derived from either a single power supply or a dual power supply. The 12 VDC car voltage is a single-ended power output. There is only one hot line, which is +12 VDC; the other line is the return or common. Other DC power supplies may have a positive or “+” and a negative or “–“ output including a common line. Different circuit configurations allow single or dual power supply configurations to generate the desired output.

Share
About Mechanics is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Discussion Comments
Share
https://www.aboutmechanics.com/what-is-a-push-pull-converter.htm
Copy this link
About Mechanics, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

About Mechanics, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.