Where to Find High Current Inductors for Power Supplies?

ElecSuppliers Electronics GuideAug 13, 2026

Finding a high current inductor is not difficult. Finding one that can handle the actual current and temperature of a power supply is a different matter.

High current power inductors are commonly used in DC-DC converters, voltage regulators, energy storage equipment and other power electronics. Manufacturers offer different constructions, including molded, wound and metal-alloy types, so the specifications need to be checked against the application rather than selected by inductance alone.

Start With the Current

The first number to look at is not always inductance. For a power supply, the inductor has to handle the current flowing through it without excessive heating or saturation.

Check both the continuous current and peak current.

This matters particularly in switching converters, where the inductor current is not constant. The peak can be considerably higher than the average load current.

A part rated for 20 A, for example, should not automatically be treated as suitable for a circuit that reaches 20 A during normal operation.

Check Saturation Current

Saturation is one of the main things to check when comparing high current inductors.

As the magnetic core approaches saturation, inductance can fall and current can rise more rapidly. The result can be higher losses and additional stress on the switching components.

Do not compare saturation-current figures without checking the manufacturer's test conditions. Temperature can also affect magnetic performance.

Look at DC Resistance

DC resistance directly affects copper loss.

For a high-current application, even a small resistance can produce significant power loss because the loss increases with current.

A lower DCR is generally desirable, but reducing resistance can require more copper or a larger component. This is one reason high-current inductor selection is usually a compromise between electrical performance, size and cost.

Consider Temperature Rise

Current ratings are not meaningful without considering temperature.

The same inductor can behave differently depending on ambient temperature, PCB layout and airflow.

For a power supply installed in a compact enclosure, thermal performance may be more important than simply finding the smallest available component.

Some manufacturers provide temperature-rise or current-versus-temperature information, which is useful when comparing parts.

Choose the Right Construction

High current inductors are available in several constructions.

Metal-alloy and molded power inductors are widely used where high current and compact size are important. Wound designs can also provide a wide range of inductance and current ratings.

The right construction depends on the switching frequency, required inductance, current, available space and thermal conditions.

For example, a compact DC-DC converter may have very different requirements from a high-power industrial power supply.

Check the Actual Operating Frequency

Inductor performance is frequency dependent.

Do not select a high-current part only from its DC specifications. Core losses and AC winding losses can become important as switching frequency increases.

This is especially relevant in modern high-frequency power converters, where a physically small inductor may still experience significant AC losses.

Where Can You Find Them?

There are several practical sources.

Major electronic component distributors are useful when you need standard parts and small quantities. Manufacturers such as Murata and Bourns offer power inductor families covering different current and package requirements.

For larger quantities or custom requirements, it may make more sense to contact an inductor manufacturer directly.

This is particularly useful when the standard catalog does not provide enough current capability, the dimensions do not fit the PCB, or the application requires a special winding or core design.

Chinese manufacturers are another option for production sourcing. Some suppliers provide high-current inductors for DC-DC converters, power supplies and energy storage applications, including customized designs.

Standard or Custom?

For a common power supply, a standard high-current inductor is often the easiest solution.

Custom design becomes more useful when the requirements are unusual.

You may need a custom part when:

• The current is very high

• PCB space is limited

• A specific inductance is required

• Standard parts have excessive losses

• A special mounting method is needed

• The winding needs to use flat copper or multiple wires

In these situations, send the supplier the electrical and mechanical requirements rather than asking simply for a "high current inductor."

Compare Parts Under the Same Conditions

When comparing several inductors, use the same operating conditions.

Check:

Inductance → tolerance → DCR → rated current → saturation current → temperature rise → size → operating frequency

A part with a higher current rating is not automatically better if it has much higher DCR or does not fit the thermal design.

For power supply development, it can also be useful to compare inductance versus current and total losses rather than relying only on the values printed in a basic catalog. Some manufacturers provide selection tools specifically for this purpose.

Finding a Supplier

For prototypes, a distributor is usually the fastest place to start.

For regular production, compare manufacturers based on technical capability, sample quality, production capacity and long-term component availability.

If you are sourcing from China, supplier platforms such as ElecSuppliers can also be used to find inductor manufacturers and compare suppliers before requesting samples or quotations.

The important thing is to give the supplier the actual operating conditions. Current, frequency, temperature and space requirements tell a manufacturer much more than simply saying that you need a high-current inductor.