Sales and technical support teams will provide more information, service and support to our customers and end users. You can send an email to frank@tri-pacific.com.au.

Q1 What's Power Factor Correction (PFC)?

Power factor is the relationship between working (active) Power and total power consumed (apparent power). The ratio of true AC input power to the apparent AC input power. Essentially, power factor is a measurement of how effectively electrical power is being used. A higher power factor represents a more effective use of electrical power. Power Factor Correction on a switching power supply controls the timing and wave shape of the input current drawn to maintain the current waveform approximately in phase with and of the same shape as the line voltage. This results in a power factor of approximately 1.0. This is important when electronic equipment consumes a significant amount of power, since otherwise the facility power system could exceed its current ratings for the power consumed and potentially impact other equipment on the same power system. In normal , electronic equipment without PFC function , the PF is around 50% only.

Q2 What's the benefits of PFC?

Low power factor means poor electrical efficiency. The lower the power factor, the higher the apparent power drawn from the distribution network. When low power factor is not corrected, the utility must provide the nonworking reactive power in addition to the working active power. This results in the use of larger generators, transformers, bus bars, wires, and other distribution system devices that otherwise would not be necessary. Electronic equipment with PFC could promote it-self energy utilization to help cut consumer bill in percentage , also PFC is a environment friendly technology, reducing the harmonics that creat electrical polluation to benefits the society as a whole.

Q3 What's surge current?

The surge current refers to the peak current flowing into the power supplies at the moment of power on, which is much higher than the steady-state current as the input wave filtering capacitance is charged quickly. The power supply should restrict the surge level sustained by AC switch, rectification bridge, safety fuse and EMI wave filter. Switch on and off the loop repeatedly, and AC input voltage should not damage the power supply or lead to blowout of the fuse.

Q4 What's the work flow of PC power supplies?

When the AC power is supplied, the undesired high-frequency noise and ripple will be removed first through choke and capacitor, and then HVDC will be obtained through rectification and wave filtering. Then the DC will be converted to high frequency AC through the switching circuit, which will be sent to the high-frequency switch transformer for voltage reduction. Then the high-frequency
AC portion will be filtrated, and relatively pure low voltage DC will be output for PC ultimately.