Power management

The basics of power factor correction (PFC), Part 1 of 3

ON Semiconductor and Dhaval Dalal, ACP Technologies have written a new handbook that examines the fundamental theory behind PFC and looks at the key considerations that need to be addressed when implementing power factor control.

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Power factor correction (PFC) is an increasingly important design imperative for power supplies, due to regulatory issues, energy efficiency, and overall system, performance requirements. It can also be a very confusing topic, as the many techniques for achieving it intersect with the numerous power-supply topologies in use in AC-based supplies.

The just-published Power Factor Correction Handbook, from ON Semiconductor, addresses the PFC issue in detail. This highly informative publication serves as a valuable tool for engineers engaged in power system design. It looks at the fundamental theory behind PFC and the key considerations that need to be addressed when implementing power factor control. Various PFC approaches, such as Continuous Conduction Mode (CCM) PFC, Interleaved PFC, Bridgeless PFC, and Single Stage Isolated PFC are evaluated. This handbook will help engineers optimize their power system designs for specific application criteria, thereby enhancing overall power performance.

Content Includes:

• An overview of different PFC topologies: Critical Conduction Mode (CrM), Continuous Conduction mode (CCM), Frequency Clamp Critical Conduction Mode (FCCrM), Bridgeless, Interleaved, Single Stage
• Comprehensive analysis of PFC operating modes
• Detailed comparison between these different types of PFC implementation

We are pleased to present Chapter 1 of this handbook, with permission, as a pdf file in three parts:

Part 1: Introduction, definitions, PFC vs. harmonic reduction, types of PFC, input line harmonics compared to IEC61000-3-2, passive PFC, critical conduction mode (CrM) controllers, continuous conduction mode (CCM) control, click here

Part 2: Frequency clamped critical conduction mode (FCCrM), Vrms² control, average current mode control, will be posted soon

Part 3: ON Semiconductor NCP1650 Family, predictive control of CCM PFC, advanced approaches for PFC, component selection for PFC circuits, PFC inductor, PFC diode, PFC switch, current sense resistor, will also be posted soon after Part 2.  

(To read the entire handbook, click here).

About the author

The current version of the PFC handbook was updated with the assistance of Dhaval Dalal (dhaval@acptek.com) from ACP Technologies, a consulting firm involved in design, training and marketing services for power electronics.

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