Answer 8—A power factor controller gives a power supply a “universal input” feature as a free benefit. As long as the output DC voltage is higher than the highest peak AC voltage expected anywhere in the world (about 350 V), the controller will adapt to any lower voltage automatically. Also, because the controller extracts energy from the power line over nearly the entire cycle, it is much less sensitive to input frequency.

Contributor: David Tweed

Published December 2003