Abstract: An asymmetric switching rectifier includes a first switching device to allow electric current to flow while in a first state and inhibit electric current in a second state and a second switching device connected in a head-to-head formation to said first switching device, said second switching to allow electric current to flow while in a first state and inhibit electric current in a second state. A first electric current to turn said switching devices to said first state is different than a second electric current to turn said switching devices to said second state. The rectifier further includes a bypass segment to draw a bypass electric current from a center electrode between said first switching device and said second switching device.

Abstract: An off line resonant converter includes a boost storage inductance circuit coupled to a switcher circuit that includes stacked first and second passive switching devices coupled to the boost storage inductance circuit and stacked first and second active bidirectional switching devices coupled to the stacked first and second passive switching devices. The stacked first and second active bidirectional switching devices generate a square wave signal and alternately store energy in and receive energy from the boost storage inductance circuit such that a pulsating current is conducted between the boost storage inductance circuit and the switcher circuit. The pulsating current is bidirectional and flows in a direction responsive to a polarity of the ac input line voltage. A resonant circuit is coupled to an output of the switcher circuit to receive the square wave signal from the switcher circuit to generate an output of the resonant converter.

Abstract: A wireless electric power receiver for receiving wireless electric power from a wireless electric transmitter is provided. The wireless electric power receiver includes an electric power receiving unit that receives wireless electric power from the wireless electric power transmitter; a rectifying unit that rectifies wireless electric power in the form of alternating current output from the wireless electric power receiving unit and outputs rectified electric power; and an electric power regulation unit that receives an input of the rectified electric power, outputs first electric power which has a lower value of a first voltage than that of the rectified electric power for a first period, and does not output electric power for a second period, so as to output electric power with a predetermined voltage value.

Abstract: An integrated magnetic device for low harmonics three-phase front-end (1) comprising three magnetic sub-assemblies (30), wherein each magnetic sub-assembly (30) comprises a magnetic core without air-gaps, three or more wound limbs and at least five windings, three current inputs connectable to a three-phase power grid (100), at least nine current outputs, three for each current inputs, said current outputs being galvanically connected to said three current inputs and connectable to a load (200). The integrated magnetic device is designed for a low harmonics three-phase bidirectional front-end and also for AC/DC rectifier and DC/AC power inverters. Its use enables reduction of the harmonics of the currents absorbed or injected to three-phase power line by using only one device which integrates a splitter and an inductor function. Compared to known solutions, cost, material and dimensions of the integrated magnetic device are reduced.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a rectifying circuit includes a transistor, a rectifying element and a resistor. The transistor includes a control electrode, a first electrode and a second electrode. The rectifying element includes an anode electrode and a cathode electrode. The cathode electrode is electrically connected to the first electrode. The resistor includes one end and one other end. The One end of the resistor is electrically connected to the control electrode. The one other end of the resistor is electrically connected to the anode electrode.

Abstract: A passive power factor correction (PFC) circuit is disclosed. It converts an AC input voltage into at least one DC output voltage. A diode bridge and a diode pair rectify the AC input voltage and provide first and second rectified voltages, respectively. A resistor applies the second rectified voltage to a first capacitor that stores the first voltage. A diode applies the first voltage to an inductor. The inductor applies the first rectified voltage to an output capacitor that stores the DC output voltage. The passive PFC circuit is intended to expand commonly used full-wave bridge rectifier and following storage capacitor. It can replace an input circuit, including low pass filter, in many applications even if improved power factor is not required. The passive PFC specifically targets size of the inductor while avoiding any switching, and maintaining power factor that challenges active PFC circuits. Early prototypes reached power factor of 0.99 while driving a 100 W load.

Abstract: A wireless power transmission device includes a power transmitter, a first transmission unit, a power receiver, a feedback regulator, a receive controller, and a second transmission unit. The power transmitter is for generating power, and the first transmission unit is for wirelessly transmitting power generated by the power transmitter. The power receiver is for receiving and rectifying the power from the first transmission unit. The feedback regulator is for receiving a feedback signal from the power receiver to generate an AC control signal. The receive controller is for receiving the control signal to generate a driving signal. The second transmission unit is for wirelessly transmitting the control signal to the receive controller.

Abstract: An aircraft power supply for providing DC power with improved power quality characteristics. The aircraft power supply includes a transformer control system that can use closed-loop feedback from a DC power output to control switches that can short primary windings turns of a step-down transformer. By shorting turns in the primary, the transformer control system can control or manipulate the turns ratio in the transformer and compensate for decreases in the DC power output.

Abstract: Provided is a receiving circuit that operates in a power supply system different from a transmitting circuit outputting a transmission signal and receives the transmission signal through an AC coupling device where a primary coil through which the transmission signal flows and a secondary coil having a center tap to which a specified voltage is supplied from an external terminal are magnetically coupled, which includes a pulse width amplifier circuit that holds pulse signals appearing at both ends of the secondary coil for a specified period of time and outputs them as hold signals, respectively, and a differential amplifier that compares a voltage of the hold signal and a voltage of the hold signal and outputs a comparison result.

Abstract: An AC converter includes: a switching section, which converts the input AC voltage in response to a control signal and which outputs the converted voltage to a phase that has been selected in accordance with the control signal; a filter section, which filters out high frequency components from the converted voltage, thereby converting the converted voltage into the output AC voltage; and a switching control section, which performs a pulse density modulation on a phase-by-phase basis and in response to a reference signal with the frequency f1, which is associated with the output AC voltage of each phase, synchronously with a zero cross of the input AC voltage, thereby generating the control signal according a pulse generation status by the pulse density modulation and the polarity of the input AC voltage and sending out the control signal to the switching section.

Abstract: A power supply for use in a UV curing lamp assembly is disclosed. The power supply is powered by two intermediate frequency (200-400 Hz) low voltage sinusoidal power sources that drive the primary windings of a dual laminated transformer. The low voltage sinusoidal power sources are configured to have different phases. The out-of-phase low voltage sine wave sources are converted to high voltage sine waves on the secondary windings of the dual laminated transformer having the same phase difference relationship. A single rectifier comprising six high voltage diodes, called a ladder rectifier, combine the two out-of-phase sine waves into a single, approximately DC output power source. By modulating a phase difference between two input sine wave power sources, the approximate DC output voltage exiting the ladder rectifier may be alternated between a low ripple mode of about a 13.84% ripple, a high current mode, a high voltage mode, and an intermediate mode with a ripple in the range of about 13.84% to about 100%.

Abstract: A passive power factor correction circuit includes: a DC capacitor and an input capacitor, coupled to a rectifying circuit and charged by a DC voltage from the rectifying circuit; an output capacitor, coupled to a load; first diode and a second diode, coupled to the input capacitor and the output capacitor; and an inductor, coupled to the load, the input capacitor and the output capacitor. Charging into and discharging from the DC capacitor are completed within a half cycle of an input AC voltage.

Abstract: Disclosed are bias voltage generating circuits and methods for a switching power supply. In one embodiment, a switching power supply can include: (i) a driver circuit configured to receive a bias voltage, and to drive a switch in a power stage of the switching power supply; (ii) where a ratio of an output voltage of the switching power supply to an expected bias voltage of the driver circuit is configured as a proportionality coefficient; (iii) a bias voltage generating circuit configured to generate the bias voltage for the driver circuit based on a first voltage; and (iv) an H-shaped inductor coupled to an input of the bias voltage generating circuit, where the first voltage is configured to be generated based on a number of turns of the H-shaped inductor and the proportionality coefficient.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a control circuit for a power converter, a conversion system and a controlling method thereof. The conversion system includes an AC power supply, a power converter and a control circuit. The power converter includes a first and second bridge arms connected in parallel. The first bridge arm includes a first and second switches connected in series. A second end of the first switch is connected with a first end of the second switch and coupled to a first end of the AC power supply by an inductance component. The first and second switches work at a first switching frequency. The control circuit is used for controlling the first and second switches, so that the current flowing through the inductance component is decreased to zero before the at least one first switching cycle is over.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting a circulating current in a redundant AC-DC power supply is disclosed. In one embodiment, a redundant AC-DC power supply system can include a first AC-DC power converter that is configured to generate a first DC output. A second AC-DC power converter is configured to generate a second DC output. An output circuit is configured to provide an output voltage based on at least one of the first and second DC outputs. A controller is configured to control the first and second AC-DC power converters for providing at least one of the first and second DC outputs to the output circuit, the controller being configured to detect a circulating current condition in at least one idle converter of first and second AC-DC power converters.

Abstract: A voltage source inverter comprises a zigzag transformer providing a neutral point. A rectifier unit comprises three single phase boost converters each connected to one of the three phases of AC power and the neutral point and comprising a bridge rectifier converting single phase AC power to DC power and using a boost inductor with a boost switch and blocking diode to develop a DC output. An inverter receives DC power and converts DC power to AC power. A link circuit is connected between each boost converter DC output and the inverter circuit and comprises a DC bus having first and second rails to provide a relatively fixed DC voltage for the inverter and a DC bus capacitance across the first and second rails to smooth voltage ripple. A switch controller controls operation of the boost switches using average current control for each of the boost converters.

Abstract: A resonant wireless power receiver that includes an electromagnetic resonator having one or more inductive elements that are arranged to form a receiver coil and a network of passive components arranged to form a matching network. A rectifier circuit converts ac power from the electromagnetic resonator to dc power. An available-power indicator measures the rectified power to assess the instantaneous power available to the receiver.

Abstract: A converter includes: a bridge diode; an X capacitor provided upstream of the bridge diode; a smoothing capacitor provided downstream of the bridge diode; an AC shutoff detection circuit which outputs an AC shutoff detection signal when input AC voltage is shut off; and a discharging circuit which is connected to a connection point at which the cathode of the bridge diode and the smoothing capacitor are connected, and allows residual charges in the smoothing capacitor and the X capacitor to be discharged when the AC shutoff detection signal is output, and the discharging circuit includes a JFET which has a drain terminal connected to the above connection point and lowers discharge voltage; and a first discharging switch element connected to the source terminal of the JFET.

Abstract: A switching branch for a three-level rectifier and a method for controlling a switching branch for a three-level rectifier are provided. The switching branch includes a first diode and a second diode connected in series, a third diode and a fourth diode connected in series, a first controllable switch connected between a neutral DC output pole and a connection point between the first and the second diode, and a second controllable switch connected between the neutral DC output pole and a connection point between the third and the fourth diode. The switching branch controls the first controllable switch to be in a conductive state during a reverse blocking state of the first diode and the second diode, and controls the second controllable switch to be in a conductive state during a reverse blocking state of the third diode and the fourth diode.

Abstract: An alternate current rectifier circuit which includes a first diode, a second diode, a first transistor, a second transistor, a third transistor, and a fourth transistor is power saving. The first diode is connected to the first transistor and the fourth transistor; the second diode is connected to the second transistor and the third transistor. During a positive half cycle of the alternate current, the first transistor and the fourth transistor are switched on and the alternate current flows through the first diode, the first transistor, and the fourth transistor; during a negative half cycle of the alternate current, the second transistor and the third transistor are switched on and the alternate current flows through the second diode, the second transistor, and the third transistor.

Abstract: A rectification circuit includes a first input terminal, a first switch, an energy storage circuit, a first diode, a filtering circuit connected in series and in order to ground, a second diode, and a controller. Two opposite terminals of the second diode are connected to a first node between the first diode and the filtering circuit and a second node between the first switch and the energy storage circuit. The controller transmits control signals to the first switch and the second switch to control conductivities of the first switch and the second switch.

Abstract: A rectifier module comprises a conductive housing made of injection molded aluminum or aluminum alloy. Diodes are inserted into recesses formed in the housing. The housing is placed at an alternating input potential during operation, and transmits alternating current input power to the diode modules for conversion to direct current power. Multiple recesses may be provided for high and low side diodes, of which there may be one or many. Multiple such modules may be provided for converting multiple phases of input power to direct current power.

Abstract: A compound semiconductor device includes: a substrate; a first compound semiconductor layer formed over the substrate; a second compound semiconductor layer formed over the first compound semiconductor layer; and an upper electrode formed over the first compound semiconductor layer, wherein two-dimensional hole gas is generated in a region of the first compound semiconductor layer, the region being located at an interface between the first compound semiconductor layer and the second compound semiconductor layer, so as to have a hole concentration that decreases with increasing distance from the upper electrode.

Abstract: A circuit arrangement includes a rectifier circuit having a first and a second load terminal, a first semiconductor device having a load path and a control terminal and a plurality of n, with n>1, second semiconductor devices, each having a load path between a first load terminal and a second load terminal and a control terminal. The second semiconductor devices have their load paths connected in series and connected in series to the load path of the first semiconductor device. The series circuit with the first semiconductor device and the second semiconductor devices are connected between the load terminals of the rectifier circuit. Each of the second semiconductor devices has its control terminal connected to the load terminal of one of the other second semiconductor devices. One of the second semiconductor devices has its control terminal connected to one of the load terminals of the first semiconductor device.

Abstract: This relates to an apparatus and method for selectively adding a capacitance to an input of a power converter of a power conversion system. A power conversion system may selectively introduce additional input capacitance in response to an input voltage. In one example, a power conversion system operates in a first mode (dimming mode) and engages a selective capacitor circuit to introduce additional capacitance to an input of a power converter. In a second mode (non-dimming mode), the power conversion system disengages the selective capacitor circuit from the input of the power converter.

Abstract: In various embodiments a circuit is provided which may include a node at which a circuit potential may be provided; an alternating voltage providing circuit configured to provide a DC current free alternating voltage; a rectifier coupled to the alternating voltage providing circuit, the rectifier including a first rectifier terminal and a second rectifier terminal, wherein the first rectifier terminal or the second rectifier terminal may be coupled to the node; and a first output terminal and a second output terminal, wherein the first output terminal may be coupled to the first rectifier terminal to provide a first potential and wherein the second output terminal may be coupled to the second rectifier terminal to provide a second potential different from the first potential, the difference between the first potential and the second potential defining an output voltage, wherein the output voltage may be constant independent of the circuit potential.

Abstract: A first conversion section converts, into a first direct-current voltage, an alternating-current voltage input from input lines, and applies the same between power supply lines. A diode is arranged between the power supply lines such that an anode thereof faces toward the power supply line side. A capacitor has both ends connected to a direct-current load, and is connected in series with the diode. A switch section selects conduction/non-conduction between an alternating-current power supply and the first conversion section. A second conversion section converts, into a second direct-current voltage, the alternating-current voltage input without passing through the switch section, and is connected to a connection point located between the capacitor and the diode to apply the second direct-current voltage to the capacitor.

Abstract: A high side isolated gate drive controller circuit is presented with an on-time limiting circuit to prevent isolation transformer saturation as well as a universal power up circuit adaptable to power the driver with constant voltage for different input voltage levels.

Abstract: An AC-DC power converter is provided. The power converter includes an electrical terminal including a positive node and a negative node. The power converter also includes a first switch coupled across the positive node and the negative node and a second switch coupled in a reverse orientation relative to the first switch and in parallel to the first switch forming a first path and a second path. The power converter further includes a first electrical storage device situated in the first path and a second electrical storage device situated in the second path.

Abstract: A single-phase reactor power saving device, used to receive an AC power supply, and comprising: a first capacitor, connected electrically to said AC power supply, to store electric energy; a first and a second reactor, connected electrically to said first capacitor, to output first AC self-induced energy, and second AC self-induced energy; a center-tapped circuit, connected electrically to said first reactor and said second reactor, to convert currents of said first AC self-induced energy and said second AC self-induced energy into a DC current; a second capacitor, connected electrically to said center-tapped circuit, to store energy of said DC current; and a first DC reactor and a second DC reactor, connected electrically to said center-tapped circuit, to generate and output respectively currents of first DC self-induced energy and second DC self-induced energy to said load, to raise power saving efficiency and quality of power supply.

Abstract: In order to implement novel utilization methods, implementation of a low power consumption and high sensitivity RF receiving system is desired. A microwave frequency band stub resonance booster circuit characterized by boosting the amplitude of an RF signal in a passive operation by resonating in series a 0.2 pF to 0.01 pF micro-capacitor element with a ?g/2 open stub element to perform impedance conversion of the input RF signal is used. In addition, since a capacitor which has been conventionally inserted in order to repeat charging and discharging of the RF signal by using two diodes becomes useless by putting a DC resonant component of resonant-boosted output into an open state when voltage-doubling and rectifying the resonant-boosted RF signal, rectified output can be obtained and high-sensitivity reception and detection of the RF signal becomes possible without being affected by the capacitor which imparts comparatively large insertion loss.

Abstract: A three-phase reactor power saving device, comprising: a first capacitor set, connected electrically to a three-phase AC power supply, to store electric energy; a reactor set, connected electrically to said first capacitor set, to convert said electric energy into AC self-induced energy; a three-phase transformer, connected electrically to said reactor set, to boost said AC self-induced energy into boosted AC self-induced energy; a second capacitor set, connected electrically to said three-phase transformer, to store said boosted AC self-induced energy; a rectifier circuit, connected electrically to said three-phase transformer, to rectify current of said boosted AC self-induced energy into a DC current; a power regulating capacitor, connected electrically to said rectifier circuit; and a first DC reactor and a second DC reactor, connected electrically to said rectifier circuit, to output first DC self-induced energy and second DC self-induced energy to said load, to raise power saving efficiency.

Abstract: A three phase rectifier rectifies received three phase a.c. power to generate a ripple d.e. voltage. A power distribution bus conveys distribution power comprising the ripple d.c. voltage or an a.c. voltage derived therefrom to a location of an LED based lamp that is distal from the three phase rectifier. Additional circuitry disposed with the LED based lamp drives the LED based lamp using the distribution power.

Abstract: A dimming power supply includes a power source, a transformer, a full bridge rectifier and a control switch.

Abstract: Parallel stage power output rectifiers for radio-frequency identification (RFID) devices and related components and methods are disclosed. An RFID tag receives a radio-frequency (RF) signal comprising RF input energy through an input such as an antenna. The RF input energy provided to a rectifier splits the RF input energy into two or more stages having parallel electrical outputs. The parallel electrical outputs allow for a more efficient use of the input energy in terms of current draw and improves voltage droop, thus improving the range and operation of the RFID tag.

Abstract: The present invention provides a circuit of reducing electro-magnetic interference for a power converter. The circuit includes an oscillator, a switching voltage divider, and a sample-and-hold circuit. The oscillator has a terminal for receiving a modulation voltage. The modulation voltage is correlated with an input voltage obtained from an input of the power converter. The switching voltage divider is enabled and disabled by a switch to attenuate the input voltage into a sampled voltage in response to a sampling signal. The sample-and-hold circuit receives the sampled voltage to generate the modulation voltage. A switch of the sample-and-hold circuit controlled by a holding signal conducts the sampled voltage to a capacitor of the sample-and-hold circuit to generate the modulation voltage across the capacitor.

Abstract: The commutator for a bridgeless PFC circuit is characterized in that a synchronous half-wave rectifier is connected between a bridgeless PFC boost circuit and an AC power source and is coupled to the two terminals of the AC power source. The synchronous half-wave rectifier contains a first synchronous transistor, a second synchronous transistor, and a control circuit.

Abstract: A power converter including: a first controlled current source configured to control current flowing on a DC supply bus of the converter, a switch connected to a second current source and to a third current source and to each of input phases of the converter, a first controller configured to control the first current source to impose a current on the DC supply bus, and a second controller synchronized with the first controller and configured to control the second current source and the third current source to impose a current on one of the input phases selected with aid of the switch.

Abstract: A controller circuit for activating and deactivating an electrical power converter that provides power to a device includes power input terminals on a primary side, and power output terminals on a secondary side, which are configured to provide power to the device. The controller circuit includes a detection circuit configured to determine whether the device is connected and, if connected, causes power to be routed to the electrical power converter to activate the electrical power converter. When the device is not detected, the electrical power converter is deactivated until the device is reconnected.

Abstract: A controller circuit for activating and deactivating an electrical power converter that provides power to a device includes power input terminals on a primary side, and power output terminals on a secondary side, which are configured to provide power to the device. The controller circuit includes a detection circuit configured to determine whether the device is connected and, if connected, causes power to be routed to the electrical power converter to activate the electrical power converter. When the device is not detected, the electrical power converter is deactivated until the device is reconnected.

Abstract: A power converter, comprising an input circuit having a single diode rectifier (D); and a switcher mode power supply IC (SMPS).

Abstract: A converter system including a cascade boost converter and inverting buck converter and controller for converting a rectified AC voltage to a DC output current. The system uses inductors and is configured to use a common reference voltage. The controller is configured to control switching of the converters in an independent manner to decouple operation from each other. For example, control pulses for the boost converter may be wider than pulses for the buck converter. The controller may control the boost converter based on constant on-time control and may control the inverting buck converter based on peak current control. The rectified AC voltage may be an AC conductive angle modulated voltage, where the controller may inhibit switching of the inverted buck converter at a dimming frequency having a duty cycle based on a phase angle of the AC conductive angle modulated voltage.

Abstract: A current mode output control can have a current mode (CM) region of the high voltage output curve (VI) slope controlled by component selection and arrangement in the construction of high voltage power supplies. The controlled CM current slope output, the tapped multiplier feedback network, and the subsequent output voltage correction network, yields a power supply with the desired VM and CM output characteristics that is significantly less expensive to construct and more efficient than a power supply built using conventional construction techniques.

Abstract: An inductive power transfer (IPT) control method is disclosed for controlling the output of an IPT pick-up. The invention involves selectively shunting first and second diodes of a diode bridge to selectively rectify an AC current input for supply to a load, or recirculate the AC current to a resonant circuit coupled to the input of the controller. By controlling the proportion of each positive-negative cycle of the AC input which is rectified/recirculated, the output is regulated. Also disclosed is an IPT controller adapted to perform the method, an IPT pick-up incorporating the IPT controller, and an IPT system incorporating at least one such IPT pick-up.

Abstract: A power source apparatus includes: a first alternating current line; a second alternating current line; an electric power inputting portion including a rectifying circuit for rectifying an alternating current voltage supplied from an alternating current power source, the electric power inputting portion serving to output the rectified voltage to each of the first and second alternating current lines; a first converter including a switching element for converting the alternating current voltage into a first direct current voltage; a second converter for converting the first direct current voltage obtained in the first converter into a second direct current voltage; and a control circuit for carrying out control for driving at least the switching element of the first converter so as to be turned ON or OFF.

Abstract: There are disclosed herein various implementations of a power converter having an advanced control integrated circuit (IC). The power converter includes the control IC and a power switch. The control IC includes a driving stage for driving the power switch, and a sensing stage coupled to the driving stage. The sensing stage is configured to produce a control signal for the driving stage based on an output current of the power converter sensed at a high side bus of the power converter.

Abstract: A power circuit is applicable to a Direct Current (DC) to DC converter. The power circuit includes a gate driver circuit and a High Electron Mobility Transistor (HEMT). The gate driver circuit functions as a Sigmoid (S) function and controls a gate and a source of the HEMT with a cross voltage of the sigmoid (S) type function. Accordingly, an overall characteristic curve of the HEMT and the gate driver circuit is like a characteristic curve of a single rectifier diode, so as to achieve a rectifying, freewheeling, or reversing effect. In addition, since an energy loss is low when the HEMT is conducted, the energy loss of the whole power circuit is much less than that of a conventional diode.

Abstract: a An AC-to-DC adapter may be provided in order to increase the sensitivity of a touch-sensitive surface. Such an AC-to-DC adapter may include a rectifying circuit to rectify incoming AC signals. The rectifying circuit may take the form of a diode bridge network that includes four diode branches. Stabilization circuits may be provided in parallel with each diode branch in order to decrease the impedance of the diode bridge network during particular periods of operation. The stabilization circuits may be configured such that the impedance of the diode bridge network is substantially constant during all periods of operation. As a result, the impedance of the AC-to-DC adapter may be relatively constant during all periods of operation. In turn, the sensitivity of a touch-sensitive surface of a device being powered by such an AC-to-DC adapter may increase.

Abstract: The present invention provides a digital controller for a power converter. The digital controller includes a microcontroller, an analog-to-digital converter, a signal generator, a protection circuit, and a PWM circuit. The analog-to-digital converter is coupled to an output of the power converter for generating a digital feedback signal for the microcontroller. The signal generator is controlled by the microcontroller for generating a switching signal coupled to switch a transformer. The protection circuit generates a reset signal to disable the switching signal. The microcontroller controls the switching signal to regulate the output of the power converter. The protection circuit is further coupled to detect a switching current of the transformer for controlling the reset signal if the switching current of the transformer exceeds a second threshold. The PWM circuit generates a PWM signal coupled to control a synchronous rectifying transistor for synchronous rectifying operation.

Abstract: A low voltage AC power controller uses a line coupled capacitor AC to DC converter circuit to obtain energy from AC line power supplied to an AC load and may be used with an external high voltage AC switching device to control power supplied to the AC load. The line coupled capacitor AC to DC converter circuit provides a low power device that senses characteristics of the power supplied to the load and can communicate sensed information and/or receive control information related to the power supplied to load.