Flyback Design in Practice: From PoE to Offline AC/DC

This episode of Inside Electronics, sponsored by DigiKey and Würth Elektronik, focuses on flyback power electronics and how they are applied across different power-supply designs, especially power over ethernet and offline AC/DC systems. Host Alix Paultre introduces the topic and guides the discussion, while Jared Birk, Technical Marketing Engineer with Würth Elektronik, shares his technical perspective and practical design experience. 

Alix and Jared discuss why flybacks remain important despite being an older topology: they are simple, versatile, efficient across a wide input range, and useful for both low-power and isolated applications.

The conversation emphasizes the trade-offs engineers face, including EMI, thermal limits, switching losses, parasitic effects, and safety isolation requirements. Jared stresses that design success depends on balancing these constraints and consulting component suppliers early. The episode closes with an encouraging message that flyback design is both practical and fun.