What is the difference between a switching power supply with PFC function and one without PFC function?
What is the difference between a switching power supply with PFC function and one without PFC function?
Power Factor Correction
The main difference between a switching power supply with PFC function and one without PFC function lies in the implementation method of power factor correction (PFC).
A PFC power supply refers to a power supply that uses active or passive power factor correction technology. It adjusts the current waveform through components such as inductors and capacitors and dedicated ICs to compensate for the phase difference between current and voltage, thereby improving power utilization and reducing energy waste.
The main advantages of PFC power supplies include energy saving and environmental protection, which can reduce grid load and improve power quality. In contrast, non-PFC power supplies refer to power supplies that do not use power factor correction technology. There is a large phase difference between the input current and voltage of this type of power supply, resulting in a large loss of exchange power, low power utilization, and easy energy waste.
The differences between active PFC and passive PFC are mainly reflected in the following aspects:
Working principle: Active PFC corrects the power factor by using active switching devices (such as transistors) and control circuits to actively shape and adjust the input current; passive PFC mainly relies on passive components such as capacitors and inductors to compensate for the power factor.
Efficiency: Active PFC usually has higher efficiency because it can better adapt to different load conditions and reduce energy loss; passive PFC has relatively low efficiency.
Performance: Active PFC can provide more accurate power factor correction, reduce current harmonic distortion, and improve power quality; passive PFC has relatively poor correction effect.
Cost: Active PFC has a higher cost due to the need for complex circuits and control chips; passive PFC has a lower cost.
Size and weight: Active PFC requires more components, larger size and weight; passive PFC is relatively small and light.
Application scope: Active PFC is often used in high-power, high-quality power supply equipment, such as computer power supplies, server power supplies, etc.; passive PFC is suitable for some occasions where the power factor requirement is not high.
Overall, active PFC is superior to passive PFC in terms of performance and efficiency, but the cost is also higher.
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