For most applications, choose a buck inductance such that the inductor ripple current, ΔI_L, is between 30% to 50% of the maximum DC output current at nominal input voltage. Choose the inductance using Equation 15 based on a peak inductor current given by Equation 16.

Equation 15.

Equation 16.

Check the inductor data sheet to make sure that the saturation current of the inductor is well above the peak inductor current of a particular design. Ferrite designs have very low core loss and are preferred at high switching frequencies, so design goals can then concentrate on copper loss and preventing saturation. Low inductor core loss is evidenced by reduced no-load input current and higher light-load efficiency. However, ferrite core materials exhibit a hard saturation characteristic and the inductance collapses abruptly when the saturation current is exceeded. This results in an abrupt increase in inductor ripple current and higher output voltage ripple, not to mention reduced efficiency and compromised reliability. Note that the saturation current of an inductor generally decreases as its core temperature increases. Of course, accurate overcurrent protection is key to avoiding inductor saturation.