Np, VICOR, Application Note Active PFC for Electronic Power Supplies ‘The proliferation of electronic loads on When choosing a strategy for PFC, it poor power factor is easily corrected power distribution systems has led to is essential to recognize that the poor _by adding a reactive component of inefficient and unsafe conditions due power factor occurring in electronic __opposite sign in paraet wit load to 10 the typically poor power factor of _ power conversion equipment is ‘cancel the eeative term (Figure 1b). clectronie power conversion equip- entirely different from the traditional ‘ment, Waveform distortion and the poor power factor seen with inductive On the other hand, less than acceptable ‘overheating of transformers and motor loads, and requires a different power factor typically associated with neutral conductors in three-phase corrective approach. ‘electronic power conversion equip- systems aro just a few of the effects. ment is eaused by nonlinear circuit ‘Two Sources of Poor PF elements. In most off-line power Consequently, economic and safety concerns—aiong with new regulations designed to maintain the integrity of power distribution systems—have created an acute interest in power factor correction (PFC) strategies. supplies, the AC-DC front end consists, of abridge rectifier followed by a large filter capacitor (Figure 2b). With this circuit, current is drawn from the line only when the peak voltage on the line ‘exceeds the voltage on the filter capacitor (Figure 2a). Since the rate of In ts simplest form, poor power factor caused by reactiae linear cireuit elements results asthe current either leads or lags the voltage, depending on whether the lead looks capacitive or inductive (Figure 1a). This type of ra rise and fll ofthe curren is greater than that ofthe line voltage, and the otage aga. |] copactor incisive | ure flows discontinuously a series ae ter ingroved uc” | of predominantly odd harmonics is eee generated —third, ffl, seventh ee (Figure 2c. lis these harmonics that Ja 1 te (continued) Figure 1—Tradiinal poor power factor—the cuvren either leads oF lags the vole. = | ‘Typical Input Curent i ea Yous* _rooc-pc | | ‘Spectrum of an Comener | |g Electronic Load ‘ eis c . Capactor é a a 2a 2» Harmenic Number 26 Figure 2—Enurelydiferen from the traditional ype. the poor power factor occurring in elecronic loads generates odd harmonics. Bus Votage () ae a iygft_[ Bus Votage ®) To 0c-0c ected Une Votage (A) i _-}ff---| Bue Vonage @)_ Topo De Boost Votiage (8-A) | Line current) B 3a Figure 3—Correcting the poor power factor associated with electronic power supplies requires an active approach in which @ control cireut adjusts a boast voltage to maintain a sinusoidal inp ewrren \VICOR CORPORATION + 25 Frontage Road + Andover, MA 01810 » TEL: 800-735-6200 + FAX: S78-475.6715 » 505Application Note hi vIcoR Active PEC (page 2) ‘cause the problems with the power distibution system. ‘The power factor of the system shown in Figure 2 can be improved slightly by either adding series inductance with the line or decreasing the value of the holdup capacitor, which will lengthen the conduction angle. However, both ‘of these solutions severely limit the amount of power that can be drawn from the line The Active Approach to PFC Its generally accepted thatthe most effective way to correct the poor power factor of electronic power supriies is to take an active approach. In the operation of an active power factor correetion circuit (Figure 36), the incoming line voliage passes through a bridge rectifier, which produces a full wave rectified output (Figure 34-A). Since the peak value of the line ig less than the bus voltage, no ‘curren will flow into the holdup capacitor unless the line voltage is ‘boosted above the voltage present on the holdup capacitor. This allows the ‘control cireut to adjust the boost voltage (3a-B-A) to maintain a sinusoidal input current. ‘To maintain a sinusoidal input current, the control cicuit uses the input voltage waveform asa template. The control circuit measures the input ‘current, compares ito the input valt- age waveform, and adjusts the boost voltage to produce an input current waveform of the same shape (32-1). At the same time, the control circuit ‘monitors the bus voltage and adjusts the boost voltage to maintain a coarsely regulated DC output (38-B). ‘Since the primary function of the control circuit isto maintain @ sinusoidal input current, the DC bus voltage is allowed to vaty slighty tis imponant to remember that @ well designed power factor correction zir- cuit will faithfully replicate distortion present in the incoming ine voltage, 30 itis essential to use alow distortion voltage source when evsluating power {actor correcting ereuits Figure 3b illustrates the approach to power factor comrection taken with the ‘Vicor VI-HAM Harmonic Attenuator Module, component-level AC fioat ‘end tht, when used with VI-26x or VI-J6x DC-DC converters, provides a universal input, near-unity power factor, off-line switching power supply that meets IEC 535, ‘The use of an active power factor correcting circuit results in few discontinuities inthe input current and consequently low distortion and harmonic content ofthe input current being drawn from the line. For assistance in designing a component power solution with power factor ‘correction, call Vicor's application ‘engineering department \VICOR CORPORATION + 25 Frontage Road + Andover, MA 01810 » TEL: 800-735-6200 + FAX: $78-4756715 + 5195