Push-Pull Converter Calculator

An isolated DC-DC converter with two switches that alternately drive the two halves of a center-tapped transformer primary, driving the core in both directions for efficient use of the magnetics.

Each switch conducts during one half of the switching period. If both were on at once (D>0.5), the center-tapped primary would be shorted, causing a destructive shoot-through current.

When one switch is on, the transformer reflects the same voltage onto the other half-winding, which adds in series with the input at the off switch — so it blocks about 2×V_in.

V_out = 2×V_in×D×(N_S/N_P), where D is the per-switch duty cycle (up to 0.5) and N_S/N_P is the secondary-to-primary turns ratio.

Push-pull uses the core bidirectionally (smaller transformer, higher power density) but needs two switches rated at 2×V_in; forward uses one switch but resets the core one way only.

If the two half-cycles are not perfectly symmetric, the core magnetization drifts toward saturation over successive cycles. Current-mode control or a small gap prevents it.

For low-to-moderate input voltages (12–48 V) at moderate power, especially where high output current and good transformer utilization are wanted.

With a center-tapped secondary and full-wave rectification, each output diode blocks about 2×(N_S/N_P)×V_in — choose the rectifier rating above this.

Yes — like the forward and buck families, its output has an inductor and capacitor filter that smooth the rectified secondary pulses into steady DC.

Both switches and both secondary halves share the work, and the transformer transfers energy on every half-cycle, so it handles high output current efficiently.

Peak-current-mode control naturally balances the two switch currents cycle by cycle, which keeps the core centered on its B-H loop and avoids saturation.

It can, but the 2×V_in switch stress makes high-voltage switches expensive, so half-bridge or full-bridge topologies are usually preferred above ~100 V input.