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Better Design for Computer Power Supplies?

The design of every computer switching power supply that I have seen starts out with the mains power being rectified and fed directly to a capacitor. This results in really bad power factor. I have a 230 watt Startech brand which has an input current rating of 7 amperes at 120 volts, and this is a typical example. I have never seen any attempt by any manufacturer to improve this arrangement. Considering the number of these supplies in use, we are certainly wasting a lot of power heating up the wiring in our homes and offices. Is anyone aware of any company that manufactures computer power supplies with some attention paid to power factor?

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Steve Thomas
Reply to
Steve Thomas
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*Rating* or actual *draw*?

I've got 24 IBM NetVista PCs that have a nameplate rating of 4A (which is what the electricians use to determine how much power you "require".) However, in real-world, normal operation, they draw less than 1A (by actual measurement.)

I presume that my "4A" rating (and your "7A") are the worst- case, max-load, power-on, inrush ratings.

Reply to
Richard Crowley

Here are some with PFC...

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and some discussion on the advantages (not just efficiency)

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volts,

supplies

Reply to
CWatters

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