Components
Voltage Regulators Explained: LDO vs Buck Converter
Powering your projects efficiently from batteries or USB.
· 3 min read
Key takeaways
- LDOs are simple but waste power as heat.
- Buck converters are efficient for big voltage drops.
- Dev boards include a 3.3V regulator.
LDO regulators
Linear regulators drop excess voltage as heat — fine for small differences.
Buck converters
Switching regulators convert voltage efficiently, ideal for batteries above 5V.
On dev boards
Most boards regulate USB 5V to 3.3V for the chip.
Frequently asked questions
Products mentioned in this article
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