Why does `buck` mean `step-down`?The potentiometer used in electronics is not a measuring instrument. Why it is contains phrase 'meter'?Why are they called flip-flops?
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Why does `buck` mean `step-down`?
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Why does `buck` mean `step-down`?
The potentiometer used in electronics is not a measuring instrument. Why it is contains phrase 'meter'?Why are they called flip-flops?
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$begingroup$
I just read about buck converters and boost converters and buck/boost converters. Great stuff.
But, why is a step-down converter called a buck converter?
I tried to research this myself. According to Google Book search, the phrase buck-boost transformer
was in use at least as early at 1891 in a periodical called Architectural Review.
etymology
New contributor
$endgroup$
add a comment |
$begingroup$
I just read about buck converters and boost converters and buck/boost converters. Great stuff.
But, why is a step-down converter called a buck converter?
I tried to research this myself. According to Google Book search, the phrase buck-boost transformer
was in use at least as early at 1891 in a periodical called Architectural Review.
etymology
New contributor
$endgroup$
$begingroup$
I suspect the term as applied in electric systems may have been created originally for transformers -- more specifically for autotransformers -- and relates to an idea that was commonly known back in the day. Logs were bucked (either under- or over- bucked) depending on from which end of the log sections were cut for milling. (Starting at the thicker base and working up or starting at the top and working down.) A bucking transformer can be seen as doing just that. And I suspect that's where the first author of the term got the idea since logging was a commonly shared experience in the 1800s.
$endgroup$
– jonk
6 hours ago
add a comment |
$begingroup$
I just read about buck converters and boost converters and buck/boost converters. Great stuff.
But, why is a step-down converter called a buck converter?
I tried to research this myself. According to Google Book search, the phrase buck-boost transformer
was in use at least as early at 1891 in a periodical called Architectural Review.
etymology
New contributor
$endgroup$
I just read about buck converters and boost converters and buck/boost converters. Great stuff.
But, why is a step-down converter called a buck converter?
I tried to research this myself. According to Google Book search, the phrase buck-boost transformer
was in use at least as early at 1891 in a periodical called Architectural Review.
etymology
etymology
New contributor
New contributor
New contributor
asked 8 hours ago
daveloyalldaveloyall
1293 bronze badges
1293 bronze badges
New contributor
New contributor
$begingroup$
I suspect the term as applied in electric systems may have been created originally for transformers -- more specifically for autotransformers -- and relates to an idea that was commonly known back in the day. Logs were bucked (either under- or over- bucked) depending on from which end of the log sections were cut for milling. (Starting at the thicker base and working up or starting at the top and working down.) A bucking transformer can be seen as doing just that. And I suspect that's where the first author of the term got the idea since logging was a commonly shared experience in the 1800s.
$endgroup$
– jonk
6 hours ago
add a comment |
$begingroup$
I suspect the term as applied in electric systems may have been created originally for transformers -- more specifically for autotransformers -- and relates to an idea that was commonly known back in the day. Logs were bucked (either under- or over- bucked) depending on from which end of the log sections were cut for milling. (Starting at the thicker base and working up or starting at the top and working down.) A bucking transformer can be seen as doing just that. And I suspect that's where the first author of the term got the idea since logging was a commonly shared experience in the 1800s.
$endgroup$
– jonk
6 hours ago
$begingroup$
I suspect the term as applied in electric systems may have been created originally for transformers -- more specifically for autotransformers -- and relates to an idea that was commonly known back in the day. Logs were bucked (either under- or over- bucked) depending on from which end of the log sections were cut for milling. (Starting at the thicker base and working up or starting at the top and working down.) A bucking transformer can be seen as doing just that. And I suspect that's where the first author of the term got the idea since logging was a commonly shared experience in the 1800s.
$endgroup$
– jonk
6 hours ago
$begingroup$
I suspect the term as applied in electric systems may have been created originally for transformers -- more specifically for autotransformers -- and relates to an idea that was commonly known back in the day. Logs were bucked (either under- or over- bucked) depending on from which end of the log sections were cut for milling. (Starting at the thicker base and working up or starting at the top and working down.) A bucking transformer can be seen as doing just that. And I suspect that's where the first author of the term got the idea since logging was a commonly shared experience in the 1800s.
$endgroup$
– jonk
6 hours ago
add a comment |
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
$begingroup$
It's the same sense as to "buck" a trend:
- to oppose or resist (something that seems oppressive or inevitable).
"the shares bucked the market trend"
synonyms: resist, oppose, contradict, defy, fight (against), go against, kick against
"it takes guts to buck the system"
So you're "bucking" the input voltage to reduce the output voltage.
$endgroup$
3
$begingroup$
Which is more applicable to transformers than to regulators, but the idea of "bucking" as "reducing voltage" probably came from transformer usage, and got transferred to regulator usage.
$endgroup$
– TimWescott
7 hours ago
$begingroup$
Buck regulators use an inductor which opposes the current flow when the switch opens. So it's just as valid as the transformer use.
$endgroup$
– gbarry
3 hours ago
add a comment |
$begingroup$
I may be wrong(apparently there is no way to qualify any answer here as correct), but I had always assumed that "buck" referred to an action similar to a "bucking bronco or bull". A buck converter sends a voltage pulse only as often as it needs to in order to provide the rectified and filtered DC output required, just as a "bucking bronco or bull" will "buck" as often as he feels he needs to in order to eject the rider or loosen the strap.
$endgroup$
$begingroup$
Please, no downvotes because you dislike rodeos. Even though I understand where you may be coming from, it is a very plausible answer...
$endgroup$
– Hitek
4 hours ago
$begingroup$
(No one is downvoting?) I honestly thought it had to do with animals as well when I first heard the term but I knew that it probably wasn't correct. The verb "buck" could mean to be resistant against something. I think there could be a way to qualify an answer and that's looking it up in the dictionary :)
$endgroup$
– KingDuken
3 hours ago
$begingroup$
@KingDuken - I know, but right after I posted the answer I had visions of SJW bombardment, so I was just trying to preempt that :). If the term isn't derived from my suggested possible answer, than it does likely refer to resistance, as you say...
$endgroup$
– Hitek
3 hours ago
$begingroup$
Since most of the switching topologies work by making controlled pulses in response to operating conditions, it's hard to imagine that we'd take the "bucking" notion and specifically put it on the one that's a step-down.
$endgroup$
– gbarry
1 hour ago
$begingroup$
@gbarry - I sort of see it in the opposite scenario. An animal "bucks" as high and often as it need to in order to obtain it's goal, I see it as "providing action only to the extent that is required", rather than the dictionary version, which implies more of a "resistance" or "opposition" aspect, and would seem more analogous to the implementation in a linear regulator...
$endgroup$
– Hitek
1 hour ago
add a comment |
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2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
$begingroup$
It's the same sense as to "buck" a trend:
- to oppose or resist (something that seems oppressive or inevitable).
"the shares bucked the market trend"
synonyms: resist, oppose, contradict, defy, fight (against), go against, kick against
"it takes guts to buck the system"
So you're "bucking" the input voltage to reduce the output voltage.
$endgroup$
3
$begingroup$
Which is more applicable to transformers than to regulators, but the idea of "bucking" as "reducing voltage" probably came from transformer usage, and got transferred to regulator usage.
$endgroup$
– TimWescott
7 hours ago
$begingroup$
Buck regulators use an inductor which opposes the current flow when the switch opens. So it's just as valid as the transformer use.
$endgroup$
– gbarry
3 hours ago
add a comment |
$begingroup$
It's the same sense as to "buck" a trend:
- to oppose or resist (something that seems oppressive or inevitable).
"the shares bucked the market trend"
synonyms: resist, oppose, contradict, defy, fight (against), go against, kick against
"it takes guts to buck the system"
So you're "bucking" the input voltage to reduce the output voltage.
$endgroup$
3
$begingroup$
Which is more applicable to transformers than to regulators, but the idea of "bucking" as "reducing voltage" probably came from transformer usage, and got transferred to regulator usage.
$endgroup$
– TimWescott
7 hours ago
$begingroup$
Buck regulators use an inductor which opposes the current flow when the switch opens. So it's just as valid as the transformer use.
$endgroup$
– gbarry
3 hours ago
add a comment |
$begingroup$
It's the same sense as to "buck" a trend:
- to oppose or resist (something that seems oppressive or inevitable).
"the shares bucked the market trend"
synonyms: resist, oppose, contradict, defy, fight (against), go against, kick against
"it takes guts to buck the system"
So you're "bucking" the input voltage to reduce the output voltage.
$endgroup$
It's the same sense as to "buck" a trend:
- to oppose or resist (something that seems oppressive or inevitable).
"the shares bucked the market trend"
synonyms: resist, oppose, contradict, defy, fight (against), go against, kick against
"it takes guts to buck the system"
So you're "bucking" the input voltage to reduce the output voltage.
answered 8 hours ago
John DJohn D
13.2k1 gold badge22 silver badges32 bronze badges
13.2k1 gold badge22 silver badges32 bronze badges
3
$begingroup$
Which is more applicable to transformers than to regulators, but the idea of "bucking" as "reducing voltage" probably came from transformer usage, and got transferred to regulator usage.
$endgroup$
– TimWescott
7 hours ago
$begingroup$
Buck regulators use an inductor which opposes the current flow when the switch opens. So it's just as valid as the transformer use.
$endgroup$
– gbarry
3 hours ago
add a comment |
3
$begingroup$
Which is more applicable to transformers than to regulators, but the idea of "bucking" as "reducing voltage" probably came from transformer usage, and got transferred to regulator usage.
$endgroup$
– TimWescott
7 hours ago
$begingroup$
Buck regulators use an inductor which opposes the current flow when the switch opens. So it's just as valid as the transformer use.
$endgroup$
– gbarry
3 hours ago
3
3
$begingroup$
Which is more applicable to transformers than to regulators, but the idea of "bucking" as "reducing voltage" probably came from transformer usage, and got transferred to regulator usage.
$endgroup$
– TimWescott
7 hours ago
$begingroup$
Which is more applicable to transformers than to regulators, but the idea of "bucking" as "reducing voltage" probably came from transformer usage, and got transferred to regulator usage.
$endgroup$
– TimWescott
7 hours ago
$begingroup$
Buck regulators use an inductor which opposes the current flow when the switch opens. So it's just as valid as the transformer use.
$endgroup$
– gbarry
3 hours ago
$begingroup$
Buck regulators use an inductor which opposes the current flow when the switch opens. So it's just as valid as the transformer use.
$endgroup$
– gbarry
3 hours ago
add a comment |
$begingroup$
I may be wrong(apparently there is no way to qualify any answer here as correct), but I had always assumed that "buck" referred to an action similar to a "bucking bronco or bull". A buck converter sends a voltage pulse only as often as it needs to in order to provide the rectified and filtered DC output required, just as a "bucking bronco or bull" will "buck" as often as he feels he needs to in order to eject the rider or loosen the strap.
$endgroup$
$begingroup$
Please, no downvotes because you dislike rodeos. Even though I understand where you may be coming from, it is a very plausible answer...
$endgroup$
– Hitek
4 hours ago
$begingroup$
(No one is downvoting?) I honestly thought it had to do with animals as well when I first heard the term but I knew that it probably wasn't correct. The verb "buck" could mean to be resistant against something. I think there could be a way to qualify an answer and that's looking it up in the dictionary :)
$endgroup$
– KingDuken
3 hours ago
$begingroup$
@KingDuken - I know, but right after I posted the answer I had visions of SJW bombardment, so I was just trying to preempt that :). If the term isn't derived from my suggested possible answer, than it does likely refer to resistance, as you say...
$endgroup$
– Hitek
3 hours ago
$begingroup$
Since most of the switching topologies work by making controlled pulses in response to operating conditions, it's hard to imagine that we'd take the "bucking" notion and specifically put it on the one that's a step-down.
$endgroup$
– gbarry
1 hour ago
$begingroup$
@gbarry - I sort of see it in the opposite scenario. An animal "bucks" as high and often as it need to in order to obtain it's goal, I see it as "providing action only to the extent that is required", rather than the dictionary version, which implies more of a "resistance" or "opposition" aspect, and would seem more analogous to the implementation in a linear regulator...
$endgroup$
– Hitek
1 hour ago
add a comment |
$begingroup$
I may be wrong(apparently there is no way to qualify any answer here as correct), but I had always assumed that "buck" referred to an action similar to a "bucking bronco or bull". A buck converter sends a voltage pulse only as often as it needs to in order to provide the rectified and filtered DC output required, just as a "bucking bronco or bull" will "buck" as often as he feels he needs to in order to eject the rider or loosen the strap.
$endgroup$
$begingroup$
Please, no downvotes because you dislike rodeos. Even though I understand where you may be coming from, it is a very plausible answer...
$endgroup$
– Hitek
4 hours ago
$begingroup$
(No one is downvoting?) I honestly thought it had to do with animals as well when I first heard the term but I knew that it probably wasn't correct. The verb "buck" could mean to be resistant against something. I think there could be a way to qualify an answer and that's looking it up in the dictionary :)
$endgroup$
– KingDuken
3 hours ago
$begingroup$
@KingDuken - I know, but right after I posted the answer I had visions of SJW bombardment, so I was just trying to preempt that :). If the term isn't derived from my suggested possible answer, than it does likely refer to resistance, as you say...
$endgroup$
– Hitek
3 hours ago
$begingroup$
Since most of the switching topologies work by making controlled pulses in response to operating conditions, it's hard to imagine that we'd take the "bucking" notion and specifically put it on the one that's a step-down.
$endgroup$
– gbarry
1 hour ago
$begingroup$
@gbarry - I sort of see it in the opposite scenario. An animal "bucks" as high and often as it need to in order to obtain it's goal, I see it as "providing action only to the extent that is required", rather than the dictionary version, which implies more of a "resistance" or "opposition" aspect, and would seem more analogous to the implementation in a linear regulator...
$endgroup$
– Hitek
1 hour ago
add a comment |
$begingroup$
I may be wrong(apparently there is no way to qualify any answer here as correct), but I had always assumed that "buck" referred to an action similar to a "bucking bronco or bull". A buck converter sends a voltage pulse only as often as it needs to in order to provide the rectified and filtered DC output required, just as a "bucking bronco or bull" will "buck" as often as he feels he needs to in order to eject the rider or loosen the strap.
$endgroup$
I may be wrong(apparently there is no way to qualify any answer here as correct), but I had always assumed that "buck" referred to an action similar to a "bucking bronco or bull". A buck converter sends a voltage pulse only as often as it needs to in order to provide the rectified and filtered DC output required, just as a "bucking bronco or bull" will "buck" as often as he feels he needs to in order to eject the rider or loosen the strap.
answered 4 hours ago
HitekHitek
2955 bronze badges
2955 bronze badges
$begingroup$
Please, no downvotes because you dislike rodeos. Even though I understand where you may be coming from, it is a very plausible answer...
$endgroup$
– Hitek
4 hours ago
$begingroup$
(No one is downvoting?) I honestly thought it had to do with animals as well when I first heard the term but I knew that it probably wasn't correct. The verb "buck" could mean to be resistant against something. I think there could be a way to qualify an answer and that's looking it up in the dictionary :)
$endgroup$
– KingDuken
3 hours ago
$begingroup$
@KingDuken - I know, but right after I posted the answer I had visions of SJW bombardment, so I was just trying to preempt that :). If the term isn't derived from my suggested possible answer, than it does likely refer to resistance, as you say...
$endgroup$
– Hitek
3 hours ago
$begingroup$
Since most of the switching topologies work by making controlled pulses in response to operating conditions, it's hard to imagine that we'd take the "bucking" notion and specifically put it on the one that's a step-down.
$endgroup$
– gbarry
1 hour ago
$begingroup$
@gbarry - I sort of see it in the opposite scenario. An animal "bucks" as high and often as it need to in order to obtain it's goal, I see it as "providing action only to the extent that is required", rather than the dictionary version, which implies more of a "resistance" or "opposition" aspect, and would seem more analogous to the implementation in a linear regulator...
$endgroup$
– Hitek
1 hour ago
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Please, no downvotes because you dislike rodeos. Even though I understand where you may be coming from, it is a very plausible answer...
$endgroup$
– Hitek
4 hours ago
$begingroup$
(No one is downvoting?) I honestly thought it had to do with animals as well when I first heard the term but I knew that it probably wasn't correct. The verb "buck" could mean to be resistant against something. I think there could be a way to qualify an answer and that's looking it up in the dictionary :)
$endgroup$
– KingDuken
3 hours ago
$begingroup$
@KingDuken - I know, but right after I posted the answer I had visions of SJW bombardment, so I was just trying to preempt that :). If the term isn't derived from my suggested possible answer, than it does likely refer to resistance, as you say...
$endgroup$
– Hitek
3 hours ago
$begingroup$
Since most of the switching topologies work by making controlled pulses in response to operating conditions, it's hard to imagine that we'd take the "bucking" notion and specifically put it on the one that's a step-down.
$endgroup$
– gbarry
1 hour ago
$begingroup$
@gbarry - I sort of see it in the opposite scenario. An animal "bucks" as high and often as it need to in order to obtain it's goal, I see it as "providing action only to the extent that is required", rather than the dictionary version, which implies more of a "resistance" or "opposition" aspect, and would seem more analogous to the implementation in a linear regulator...
$endgroup$
– Hitek
1 hour ago
$begingroup$
Please, no downvotes because you dislike rodeos. Even though I understand where you may be coming from, it is a very plausible answer...
$endgroup$
– Hitek
4 hours ago
$begingroup$
Please, no downvotes because you dislike rodeos. Even though I understand where you may be coming from, it is a very plausible answer...
$endgroup$
– Hitek
4 hours ago
$begingroup$
(No one is downvoting?) I honestly thought it had to do with animals as well when I first heard the term but I knew that it probably wasn't correct. The verb "buck" could mean to be resistant against something. I think there could be a way to qualify an answer and that's looking it up in the dictionary :)
$endgroup$
– KingDuken
3 hours ago
$begingroup$
(No one is downvoting?) I honestly thought it had to do with animals as well when I first heard the term but I knew that it probably wasn't correct. The verb "buck" could mean to be resistant against something. I think there could be a way to qualify an answer and that's looking it up in the dictionary :)
$endgroup$
– KingDuken
3 hours ago
$begingroup$
@KingDuken - I know, but right after I posted the answer I had visions of SJW bombardment, so I was just trying to preempt that :). If the term isn't derived from my suggested possible answer, than it does likely refer to resistance, as you say...
$endgroup$
– Hitek
3 hours ago
$begingroup$
@KingDuken - I know, but right after I posted the answer I had visions of SJW bombardment, so I was just trying to preempt that :). If the term isn't derived from my suggested possible answer, than it does likely refer to resistance, as you say...
$endgroup$
– Hitek
3 hours ago
$begingroup$
Since most of the switching topologies work by making controlled pulses in response to operating conditions, it's hard to imagine that we'd take the "bucking" notion and specifically put it on the one that's a step-down.
$endgroup$
– gbarry
1 hour ago
$begingroup$
Since most of the switching topologies work by making controlled pulses in response to operating conditions, it's hard to imagine that we'd take the "bucking" notion and specifically put it on the one that's a step-down.
$endgroup$
– gbarry
1 hour ago
$begingroup$
@gbarry - I sort of see it in the opposite scenario. An animal "bucks" as high and often as it need to in order to obtain it's goal, I see it as "providing action only to the extent that is required", rather than the dictionary version, which implies more of a "resistance" or "opposition" aspect, and would seem more analogous to the implementation in a linear regulator...
$endgroup$
– Hitek
1 hour ago
$begingroup$
@gbarry - I sort of see it in the opposite scenario. An animal "bucks" as high and often as it need to in order to obtain it's goal, I see it as "providing action only to the extent that is required", rather than the dictionary version, which implies more of a "resistance" or "opposition" aspect, and would seem more analogous to the implementation in a linear regulator...
$endgroup$
– Hitek
1 hour ago
add a comment |
daveloyall is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
daveloyall is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
daveloyall is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
daveloyall is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
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I suspect the term as applied in electric systems may have been created originally for transformers -- more specifically for autotransformers -- and relates to an idea that was commonly known back in the day. Logs were bucked (either under- or over- bucked) depending on from which end of the log sections were cut for milling. (Starting at the thicker base and working up or starting at the top and working down.) A bucking transformer can be seen as doing just that. And I suspect that's where the first author of the term got the idea since logging was a commonly shared experience in the 1800s.
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– jonk
6 hours ago