Performance/Cost Comparison between Single-Stage and Conventional High Power Factor Correction Rectifiers

A cost review and performance comparison between Single-Stage and Conventional High Power Factor Correction Rectifiers is presented in this paper. A new family of converters is often presented detailing electrical performance, yet discounting a cost evaluation of the topology; this paper attempts to address this issue. Detailed is an overview of two such topologies based upon a Boost Converter, for Input Current Shaping, ICS, and a Forward Converter for output regulation. The paper outlines essential design equations for the Single-Stage approach, discussing issues of importance and predicted behavior of such a design. The focus then moves onto measured operational performances of two 170W prototype PFC rectifiers, a Two-Stage and a Single-Stage respectively. Results obtained display comparable electrical performance, both in their abilities to limit input current harmonics and regulate the output voltage. However, a cost analysis that was performed indicated that monetary savings with the Single-Stage variants are not as significant as one would first expect. The unexpectedly small savings are a combination of the requirement for components with ratings that can withstand the stresses applied to them, and current market trends.