Unique housing packages incorporate robust and compact PFC stages

Available from Digi-Key, ON Semiconductor's power factory corrections (PFC) are utilised to shape the input current of off-line power supplies to maximise the real power available from the mains. Ideally, the input current would be a perfect in-phase replica of the input voltage, reducing the current draw from the mains and thus minimising losses and costs associated with the distribution and generation of the power. This, along with minimised interference thanks to freedom from harmonics, enables the design of highly efficient power supplies that comply with today's every-expanding regulatory requirements. The company offers PFC controllers implementing innovative CCFF, VSFF, and FCCrM methods that provide significant light-load efficiency improvements. In addition, these methods enable the use of a smaller transformer when compared to the traditional Critical Conduction Mode (CrM) approach. For example, in a 100W application with similar performance, a CrM implementation requires a ~450µH transformer whereas applications using their solutions would require only ~300µH. The smaller size and improved light load efficiency make them a good fit for products required to meet new industry efficiency standards.