Boost Converters
Step-up switchers: switch ratings vs deliverable current, and startup behavior.
Written and verified by John Merton · verified 2026-07-11
Boost converters step a lower DC voltage up to a higher one. This category is intentionally small: PCBWiki covers boost converters only where they appear as common building blocks on verified part pages. The engineering surface here is the ratio between the switch current rating and the deliverable output current, which is not 1:1 — output current is input current scaled by the voltage ratio and derated by efficiency.
How to choose
The axes below are the criteria you actually weigh when selecting a part in this category.
- Switch current rating vs deliverable output current
- The switch current limit is on the input side. Output current is roughly input current × (VIN / VOUT) × efficiency. A 2 A switch does not deliver 2 A at the output.
- Startup inrush and pre-biased output behavior
- A boost converter sees the output voltage through the inductor and diode even when off. Starting into a pre-biased output can pull current through the body diode and cause latch-up.
- True shutdown vs pass-through
- Most boost converters cannot disconnect the output from the input; the inductor and diode create a DC path. If you need true load disconnect, you need a converter with that feature or an external load switch.
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Compare specs
Parts in this guide verified against manufacturer datasheets; latest 2026-07-11.
| MPN | Package | Lifecycle | Headline spec |
|---|---|---|---|
| TPS61200DRCR | 10-pin VSON (DRC), 3 mm x 3 mm | Active | Orderable identity: TPS61200DRCR; active; 3000 devices per reel |
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