Abstract: A method of operating a controller for a power converter having a plurality of switches couplable to respective electrical devices is disclosed, in which the controller includes a switch activating unit, a frequency varying unit, a comparator and a selector. The method comprises comparing respective electrical parameters of the electrical devices with respective reference electrical parameters by the comparator to obtain associated results; and based on the results, selecting by the selector either no switches or at least one switch to be activated to enable at least two electrical devices to be electrically connected. The activation is performed on receipt of a signal pulse, and if no switches are selected, the signal pulse is skipped by the switch activating unit to reduce power consumption of the controller, and based on the results, a frequency of the signal pulse is varied by the frequency varying unit to further reduce power consumption of the controller. A controller is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of operating a controller (200) for a power converter having a plurality of switches couplable to respective electrical devices (106, 108, 110) is disclosed, in which the controller includes a switch activating unit (210), a frequency varying unit (202), a comparator (206) and a selector (208). The method comprises comparing respective electrical parameters of the electrical devices with respective reference electrical parameters by the comparator to obtain associated results; and based on the results, selecting by the selector either no switches or at least one switch to be activated to enable at least two electrical devices to be electrically connected. The activation is performed on receipt of a signal pulse, and if no switches are selected, the signal pulse is skipped by the switch activating unit to reduce power consumption of the controller, and based on the results, a frequency of the signal pulse is varied by the frequency varying unit to further reduce power consumption of the controller.