PFC Modules Enable Harmonic Compliance

Nov 23, 2005 11:05 AM

TT electronics BI Technologies new series of power factor correction (PFC) modules, the Model 7720 Series, range from 500 W to 3000 W. The company also recently developed a ready-to-run evaluation board/design tool capable of testing the modules. The addition of PFC circuitry enables switching power supplies with ratings higher than 75 W to make optimum use of ac line current while allowing the unit to meet harmonic requirements. These requirements are mandatory in Europe and are rapidly being accepted in North America.

The 7720 Series module replaces several TO-220 or TO-247 discrete power semiconductors required to achieve power factor correction in a conventional power supply design. The power modules are available in three standard configurations: Model 7720-1A is for power supplies from 1500 W to 3000 W (600-V/25-A rectifier; 500-V/0.1-Ω MOSFET); Model 7720-2A drives power supplies from 1000 W to 2250 W (600-V/25-A rectifier; 500-V /0.3-Ω MOSFET); and Model 7720-3A operates power supplies from 500 W to 1500 W (600-V/18-A rectifier; 500-V/0.2-Ω MOSFET).

The PFC evaluation board offered by the company contains all of the necessary control and power circuitry, along with the required inductor assembled onto a compact board. With a PFC of nearly unity and better than 95% efficiency, the board easily can be used to evaluate a variety of applications, including switching power supplies from 500 W to 3000 W, as well as other devices such as motor drives.

The PFC modules have a footprint of 1.380 in. × 2.230 in., with a board-mounted profile of just 0.200 in. Pricing for the modules begins at under $20 in volume. The ready-to-run evaluation board accepts 85 Vrms to 265 Vrms input voltage at 50 Hz to 60 Hz, and is capable of handling up to 3 kW of power with a properly cooled heatsink. Pricing for the PFC evaluation board is $199.

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