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Understanding molding choke: Importance, Functions, and Types
Molding choke is an important component in power supplies, acting as an inductor to filter out high-frequency AC noises. It is also called as power inductor or AC inductor in some technical documents. In this article, we will cover the essential information about molding choke, its functions, and types.
What is a Molding Choke?
A molding choke is an inductor that is used in electrical circuits to filter out AC noises. It acts as a high-pass filter that allows only low-frequency signals to pass through. Molding choke is an essential component in power supplies and can be found in almost all electronic devices that require DC voltage conversion, such as computers, televisions, and mobile devices.
The Function of Molding Choke
The primary function of molding choke is to filter out high-frequency signals and noise present in the input power supply. These noise signals cause interference and distortion in the output voltage, leading to decreased performance and efficiency. The molding choke ensures that only low-frequency signals pass through, leading to a clear and high-quality output voltage.
The Types of Molding Choke
There are various types of molding chokes available in the market, each having different specifications and characteristics. The most common types include air-core, ferrite-core, and laminated-core molding chokes. Air-core molding chokes have low inductance and are mainly used for high-frequency applications. Ferrite-core molding chokes have high inductance and are commonly used in power supplies. Laminated-core molding chokes have a high magnetic flux and are suitable for low-frequency applications.
Construction of Molding Choke
The construction of molding choke depends on the type and specifications of the inductor. The air-core molding choke is made of a hollow cylindrical coil that is wound around a non-magnetic core. Ferrite-core molding choke uses a ferrite core to increase the inductance, whereas laminated-core molding chokes are made of laminated iron cores that are wound with wire. The shape, size, and number of turns of the coil affect the inductance of the molding choke.
Molding Choke for SMPS Circuits
Molding chokes are essential components in SMPS (Switched-Mode Power Supply) circuits, which are widely used in electronic devices. SMPS circuits use high-frequency switching to convert AC voltage to DC voltage, and the molding choke is used to filter the high-frequency signals and reduce the noise in the output voltage. Molding chokes in SMPS circuits are often ferrite-core and have high inductance.
The Benefits of Molding Choke
The use of molding choke in power supplies comes with several benefits, including:
- Improved efficiency
- Reduced noise and interference
- Better regulation of output voltage
- Improved power factor correction
Molding Choke vs Transformer
Molding chokes and transformers are both inductive components but serve different functions. A transformer is used to convert voltage levels, whereas molding chokes are used for filtering high-frequency noise. Transformers use a magnetic core to increase the voltage level, whereas molding chokes often use air-core or ferrite-core. The primary difference between the two components is their function and the type of core used.
Molding Choke for Audio Circuits
Molding chokes are also used in audio circuits to filter out noise and interference. In audio circuits, molding chokes are often air-core and have low inductance. They are used in power supplies and preamplifiers to improve the quality of sound and reduce distortion. Molding chokes are also used in guitar amplifiers to reduce hum and other noise.
Conclusion
Molding choke is an essential component in power supplies, serving the function of filtering high-frequency noise and interference. There are various types of molding chokes available in the market, each with different specifications and characteristics. The construction of molding choke depends on the type and specifications of the inductor, and it is used extensively in SMPS and audio circuits. When correctly selected and implemented, molding chokes can improve efficiency, reduce noise and interference, and improve voltage regulation.