A switching power converter has an input voltage source. An output load is coupled to the input voltage source. An inductive element is coupled to the load. A switch is coupled to the inductive element. A current reference input is provided. A control circuit is coupled to the switch and the current reference input for activating and deactivating the switch. The inductive element receives power from the input voltage source when the switch is activated and conducting continuous current. The control circuit deactivates the switch after a controlled delay time when the current in the inductive element and the switch exceeds the current reference input so that an average current in the inductive element is determined by a magnitude of the current reference input.