Flyback

Sunpower UK's Electronics Glossary - Flyback

Flyback: When the current flowing through an inductor is cut off the energy stored in the magnetic field is released by a sudden reversal of the terminal voltage. If a diode is in place to conduct the stored energy somewhere useful, the diode is called a flyback diode. This only requires one winding on the inductor, so the inductor would be called a flyback transformer. This arrangement has the interesting property of transferring energy to the secondary side of the power supply only when the primary switch is off. Such switchmode power supplies are called flyback converters.

This Electronics Dictionary is a free service provided by Sunpower UK, and includes an ongoing list of current electronics vocabulary in use today. Sunpower UK sells a bespoke product range of electronics power supplies suitable for all your powersupply needs, be it large or small