In medium to high loads, the DC resistance of buck converter switching elements tends to dominate the overall efficiency of the Buck Converter. When driving light loads, however, the effects of DC resistances are reduced and AC losses in the inductor, capacitor, and switching elements play a larger role in overall efficiency. This is especially true in discontinuous mode operation, in which the inductor current drops below zero, resulting in the discharging of the output capacitor and even higher switching losses.