I'm learning about PFC converters as a wish to make a 100W PFC front end as part of a home made power supply I'm building. The web has given me a some insight in building such a power stage. Now, I have found the preferred topology for my 100W PFC converter is the critical conduction mode. But what I don't understand is how do the authorities allow such high frequency high peak currents on the AC line originating from a critical conduction mode PFC converter ? Some analysis shows;
I_pk = 2*sqrt(2)*P / Vac_rms
where Vac_rms = RMS of line input voltage P = average input power I_pk = peak current through inductor (or line)
The current of the inductor (or line) is a high frequency triangle wave with a peak that follows the line voltage AC cycle and the RMS of this waveform is;
I_rms = I_pk / sqrt(6) { substituting for I_pk yields } = 1.1547 * P / Vac_rms
So I_rms is 1.15 times higher that it would be for a resistive load of the same power. Where is the PFC ?
Adam.