POL converters or DC-DC converters

[rama1001]

Hi,
I understand the basic thing about DC-DC to converter but doubtful on POL converter. What exactly mean by point of load converter. Can anyone explain me clear and short in good way.

 

[davenn]

Hi Rama

ok they are basically the same thing :) its just their positioning in the equip that is the difference

I have noticed this more and more on gear I service ... instead of the PUS's being centrally placed and voltages distributed all over the board/s.
The trend now is to place small hi efficiency DC-DC buck converters right at the POL.
All the buck converters (with their various voltage rails) are all fed from a central higher voltage and well regulated AC-DC ( or DC-DC in the case of portable gear) PSU.
the final regulation is done on the PCB right at the point of load instead of off board or at the far end of a larger PCB.

cheers
Dave

 

[Jiggy-Ninja]

Hi Rama

ok they are basically the same thing :) its just their positioning in the equip that is the difference

I have noticed this more and more on gear I service ... instead of the PUS's being centrally placed and voltages distributed all over the board/s.
The trend now is to place small hi efficiency DC-DC buck converters right at the POL.
All the buck converters (with their various voltage rails) are all fed from a central higher voltage and well regulated AC-DC ( or DC-DC in the case of portable gear) PSU.
the final regulation is done on the PCB right at the point of load instead of off board or at the far end of a larger PCB.

cheers
Dave

I remember reading an article that Google re-engineered there servers to run on 12V power supplies, supposedly to improve efficiency by a small amount. I remember wondering how they would get the chips to work, if they had to re-engineer those too. Point-of-Load regulation seems more like what might have been done, you think that's a plausible explanation for what I read?