# Bidirectional DC-to-DC converter

Canonical URL: https://eloragrid.ai/symbols/bidirectional-dc-dc-converter
Publisher: Elora Grid
Updated: 2026-10-28
Lookup label: DC/DC BI
Drawing use: SLD, Schematic
Reference families: IEC, IEEE / ANSI

A DC/DC stage that can pass power in either direction, linking a battery or supercapacitor to a DC bus.

## In plain English

### What does Bidirectional DC-to-DC converter mean?

A bidirectional DC/DC converter moves power in either direction between two DC voltage levels. In microgrids and DC-coupled solar plants it connects a battery or supercapacitor to a common DC bus, charging the store from surplus and discharging it when the bus voltage falls.

### A simple example

The drawing is the DC/DC converter box with DC marks on both sides and a bidirectional arrow, or a double-headed arrow along the box. Detailed schematics may show a half-bridge buck-boost or dual-active-bridge circuit arrangement inside.

### What the drawings help you do

The symbol does not state whether the two sides are galvanically isolated, the current limits in each direction, or the control mode, which may regulate bus voltage or battery current. These must come from the converter data.

### This particular reference

A DC/DC stage that can pass power in either direction, linking a battery or supercapacitor to a DC bus. A bidirectional converter transfers power both ways; a standard DC/DC converter passes power from input to output only.

### Terms

- DC: Direct current: electricity flowing in one direction.
- Rating: A value stating the conditions for which equipment is specified.
- Schematic: A drawing showing function and connections rather than physical appearance.

Concept diagram: Identify the device and form → Read the connections and state → Check the equipment reference
A guide to reading this reference. The original symbol illustration and its drawing notes appear below; these boxes are not a wiring diagram.

- [TIDA-010054: bidirectional dual-active-bridge reference design](https://www.ti.com/tool/TIDA-010054)
- [Autodesk IEC-60617 preview: Energy-flow qualifiers](https://help.autodesk.com/cloudhelp/2021/ENU/AutoCAD-Electrical/files/GUID-2039C5DD-1C01-4D77-AD97-584052C53D75.htm)


## What it represents

A bidirectional DC/DC converter moves power in either direction between two DC voltage levels. In microgrids and DC-coupled solar plants it connects a battery or supercapacitor to a common DC bus, charging the store from surplus and discharging it when the bus voltage falls.
The drawing is the DC/DC converter box with DC marks on both sides and a bidirectional arrow, or a double-headed arrow along the box. Detailed schematics may show a half-bridge buck-boost or dual-active-bridge topology inside.
The symbol does not state whether the two sides are galvanically isolated, the current limits in each direction, or the control mode, which may regulate bus voltage or battery current. These must come from the converter data.

## How to read it

- Check the arrow direction marks for confirmation that power flows both ways.
- Isolation is not implied unless stated or a transformer is shown.

## Information to show or reference

- State voltage ranges and power in each direction.
- Show isolation if present.
- Reference control mode.

## Important distinction

A bidirectional converter transfers power both ways; a standard DC/DC converter passes power from input to output only.

## Facts

- Energy flow: Both directions
- Typical use: Storage to DC bus
- Isolation: Not implied
- Preview: Independent educational illustration; consult the applicable standard and project legend for the exact graphic

## Public references

- [TIDA-010054: bidirectional dual-active-bridge reference design](https://www.ti.com/tool/TIDA-010054) — Texas Instruments. Public bidirectional DC/DC reference design context.
- [Autodesk IEC-60617 preview: Energy-flow qualifiers](https://help.autodesk.com/cloudhelp/2021/ENU/AutoCAD-Electrical/files/GUID-2039C5DD-1C01-4D77-AD97-584052C53D75.htm) — Autodesk. Public IEC-context energy-flow qualifier family.

## Graphic scope

Independent original educational concept illustration by Elora Grid. Not a certified standards graphic or manufacturer footprint. Unitless; not to scale. Original artwork licence: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/. Publisher material is linked only.