LM2576 may I use bigger or lower inductors

buckpower supply

I'm about to build a switching (Buck) power supply with an LM2576 adjustable IC. Input voltage 30V, output from +3V up to +28V, which should run about 100 mA – 3 A load.

If I use a bigger or lower inductor will it have a big negative impact?
I have:

  • 22uH 3A
  • 100uH 6A
  • 220uH 3A
  • 330uH 3A
  • 470uH 3A

May I use one of these?
Is it OK if I'll use 220uH, 3A?

From the datasheet it looks like I need something like 150uH 3A.
Should I use a smaller one or must it be exact?

Best Answer

The first-order effect of using a larger inductor (all other things kept equal) is to reduce the ripple current in the inductor by a proportional amount.

In a DCM (discontinuous conduction mode) regulator, this also limits the load current, since that is proportional to the ripple current.

In a CCM (continuous conduction mode) regulator, the static load current is not affected, but the dynamic response of the regulator will be somewhat slower.

The degree to which this particular chip can tolerate this sort of change requires a careful perusal of its datasheet.