A new technology that has recently been introduced in much electronic equipment, and particularly in the power supplies, are the use of a 24V to 12V 40A converter. Many individuals who have experience with voltage equipment often find it difficult to understand exactly what a converter is for, but an understanding of the function and features of a converter is very useful in any electronic equipment setting.
The difference between a transformer/capacitor combination and a converter is fairly simple. A transformer, unlike a converter, is simply an AC (alternating current) electrical generator that uses the force of an alternating current of an alternating voltage to generate a flow of current that can be used to charge a magnetic field or a series of magnetic fields(Electronic Voltage Regulator: AC Automatic Voltage Regulator). This force is what allows the magnetic fields to become more stable and the flow of energy becomes continuous.
A 24V to 12V 40A converter on the other hand is a device that uses a transformer as well as an AC input to create a steady and controllable flow of energy that can be used to charge an output. This is a device that will either be directly connected to an electrical supply or connected to a transformer, such as a transformer with an additional input that provides a constant source of power.
It is usually attached to a battery bank, or an energy source such as a solar panel, and is designed to convert the current into a charge which can then be stored and used later. Although the initial cost of a converter is quite a bit higher than a direct conversion or a combination converter, the long term savings can far outweigh the initial investment.
As mentioned before, a converter can either be connected directly to an electrical source or it can also be connected to a transformer. While a direct conversion may cost more initially, the fact that a converter will not need to be attached to an electrical supply for some time, like an AC to DC converter, may make the initial investment more affordable in the long run.
Some disadvantages can be associated with a 24V to 12V 40A converter. The main disadvantage is that the electrical current that is produced by a converter is not completely continuous. While the current can be increased or decreased by changing the resistance in the circuit, there are times when a certain amount of the current will not be used because of the current being interrupted due to resistance. This is a shortcoming that can cause a short.
electronic voltage converter
This shortcoming is one of the main reasons why a transformer is generally preferred over a converter. A transformer can have it's currently increased or decreased as needed, without having to have an interruption of the electricity supply, which can occur when there is resistance to the current.
A transformer that has been used to provide a steady and uninterrupted current is referred to as a switching converter. The main reason that switching current is called switching is that there is always at least one end of the supply that has to be connected to an electrical supply to change the current. In this case, the source is a DC (Direct Current) source and the other end is connected to the transformer or to the device that is to be used to convert the current into a charge, such as a battery or a solar panel.
When there is a lot of resistance in the input, the process becomes much like the process of using a fuse in a circuit. This is because two different points in the circuit are required to turn the current on and off.