High-Current Chokes for 48-V Systems

February 1, 2015

Jennifer Shuttleworth

TDK Corp.’s BCEM series of EPCOS high-current chokes are designed specifically for buck-boost converters in 48-v automotive power systems. These surface-mount device (SMD) inductors have very compact dimensions of 27.5 x 29.5 x 14.5 mm (1.08 x 1.16 x 0.57 in) thanks to their ERU27 ferrite cores with flat windings. The new chokes feature inductance values of 3 to 11 µH and are designed for saturation currents of up to 50 A. The devices also feature operating temperatures of between -40 and +150°C (-40 to +302°F). RoHS-compatible and qualified to AEC-Q200, the components are suited for switching frequencies from 100 to 200 kHz. These components are used as storage chokes in buck-boost converters of vehicles linking the 12-v and 48-v levels.