Hall Effect Sensor vs Current Transformer: Which to Choose?
When designing current measurement circuits, engineers often choose between Hall effect sensors and current transformers (CTs). Both measure current galvanically isolated from the circuit, but they have fundamentally different capabilities, limitations and cost profiles. This guide compares Hall effect sensors and current transformers across key parameters, and helps you decide which technology fits your application. […]
Isolation Transformer: Applications, Ratings and Selection Guide
Isolation transformers are the unsung heroes of electrical safety. They provide galvanic separation between the input mains and the equipment side, preventing electric shock, breaking ground loops, and protecting sensitive electronics from voltage transients. This guide covers how isolation transformers work, key applications, ratings, and how to select the right one for your equipment. Shaanxi […]
Toroidal Inductor Design: Core Selection, Winding & Sizing Guide
Toroidal inductors are the most common inductor shape in power electronics. Their circular core geometry naturally contains magnetic flux, resulting in low radiated EMI and excellent efficiency. But designing a good toroidal inductor involves more than just picking a core size. This guide covers toroidal inductor operation, core selection, winding methods, key design formulas and […]
Powder Core Comparison: Sendust vs MPP vs High Flux for Inductors
Alloy powder cores are the preferred magnetic material for power inductors, PFC chokes and output filters where stable inductance under DC bias is critical. But with three main families—Sendust (Fe-Si-Al), Molypermalloy (MPP, Ni-Fe-Mo) and High Flux (Ni-Fe)—choosing the right one can be confusing. This guide compares the three powder core families, their properties, cost and […]
Ferrite Core Material Selection: Mn-Zn vs Ni-Zn Applications Guide
Choosing the right ferrite core material is one of the most critical decisions in magnetic component design. Manganese-zinc (Mn-Zn) and nickel-zinc (Ni-Zn) ferrites have very different properties, and picking the wrong one leads to excessive loss, poor efficiency or core saturation. This guide explains the key differences between Mn-Zn and Ni-Zn ferrite, typical applications for […]
Rogowski Coil: Working Principle, Applications and Selection Guide
A Rogowski coil is a helical wire coil wrapped around a toroidal (often flexible) former, used to measure AC current in conductors without making electrical contact. Unlike a current transformer, a Rogowski coil has no iron core—its air core makes it light, linear and safe for high-current measurements. This guide covers how Rogowski coils work, […]
Gate Drive Transformer Design for IGBT and SiC Gate Drivers
As SiC and GaN power devices move to higher switching frequencies and higher voltages, the gate drive transformer has become a critical component in isolated gate driver circuits. Unlike signal transformers, gate drive transformers must deliver precise timing, fast edges, and clean isolation between primary control and secondary power switch. This guide covers gate drive […]
PFC Inductor Design: Boost PFC Sizing and Core Selection Guide
The power factor correction (PFC) inductor is the largest magnetic component in active PFC circuits found in LED drivers, server power supplies, EV chargers and industrial equipment. Getting the PFC inductor right determines whether the system meets harmonic standards (IEC 61000-3-2) and runs efficiently. This guide covers boost PFC inductor operation, core material selection, key […]
Shielded vs Unshielded Power Inductor: How to Choose for PCB
One of the most common questions in DC-DC converter design is whether to use a shielded or unshielded power inductor. The choice affects EMI, size, cost, PCB layout and thermal performance. Get it wrong and you either waste board space or end up with noise that interferes with sensitive circuits. This guide compares shielded and […]
Flyback Transformer Design Guide for SMPS Power Supplies
The flyback converter is the most widely used isolated topology in low-to-medium power switch-mode power supplies (SMPS), from 5 W phone adapters to 200 W industrial supplies. The flyback transformer is the heart of this topology—it stores energy in its core during the ON phase and releases it to the output during the OFF phase. […]