Abstract: A Voltage Source Converter has a series connection of switching assemblies, in which each switching assembly has an electrically conducting plate member carrying a plurality of semiconductor chips each having at least a semiconductor device of turn-off and a free-wheeling diode connected in parallel therewith. Said chips are connected in parallel with each other by each being connected by at least one individual conductor member to a said plate member of an adjacent switching assembly of said series connection. Each switching assembly has a mechanical switch configured to be open under normal operation of the switching assembly and configured to enable connection of said plate member of the switching assembly to the plate member of an adjacent switching assembly for bypassing said semiconductor chips of the switching assembly to which the mechanical switch belongs in the case of occurrence of a short circuit current through a semiconductor chip of the switching assembly.

Abstract: A voltage source inverter comprises a rectifier having an input for connection to a multi-phase AC power source and converting the AC power to DC power at an output. An inverter receives DC power and converts the DC power to AC power. A DC bus is connected between the rectifier circuit and the inverter circuit to provide a relatively fixed DC voltage for the inverter. A bus capacitor is across the DC bus. A soft charge circuit limits inrush current to the bus capacitor. The soft charge circuit comprises an input inductor for each phase connected between the rectifier input and the AC power source and a clamping circuit across each input inductor to limit DC bus voltage.

Abstract: A power supply device for intrinsically safe power supply of an intrinsically safe load circuit includes a voltage source, a power-limiting circuit including at least two controllable semiconductor devices, a current-limiting circuit including at least one resistor, and a load circuit connector connected to the load circuit. The power-limiting circuit and the current-limiting circuit are active between the voltage source and the load circuit connector. The resistor includes a resistance value that suffices to limit a short circuit current to a current without danger of a spark ignition.

Abstract: The number of ICs used for a power converter is reduced. The power converter includes n power transistors each having an emitter terminal or a source terminal connected to a common line, and driver ICs. Each of the driver ICs includes n pre-drivers that drive the respective n power transistors, and a receiver circuit that is integrated monolithically with the n pre-drivers. The receiver circuit is coupled with a transmitter circuit by AC coupling, and outputs a control signal that controls the n pre-drivers in response to a signal received from the transmitter circuit.

Abstract: The present application provides a drive unit for a switching element, the driving unit having a function that is capable of promptly detecting the flow of excess current. The unit is usable for an electrical rotating machine. A drive unit for a switching element, comprising: a sense terminal output current detecting means for detecting an output current of a sense terminal that outputs a minute current having correlation with a current flowing between an input terminal and an output terminal of a switching element; a switching element drive control means for restricting the driving of the switching element when the output current detected by the sense terminal output current detecting means exceeds a predetermined threshold value; and a threshold changing means for changing the threshold value on the basis of a difference of electric potential between the input terminal and the output terminal of the switching element.

Abstract: System and method for protecting a power converter. A system includes a threshold generator configured to generate a threshold signal, and a first comparator configured to receive the threshold signal and a first signal and to generate a comparison signal. The first signal is associated with an input current for a power converter. Additionally, the system includes a pulse-width-modulation generator configured to receive the comparison signal and generate a modulation signal in response to the comparison signal, and a switch configured to receive the modulation signal and adjust the input current for the power converter. The threshold signal is associated with a threshold magnitude as a function of time. The threshold magnitude increases with time at a first slope during a first period, and the threshold magnitude increases with time at a second slope during a second period. The first slope and the second slope are different.

Abstract: Aspects of the invention address a circumstance in multilevel power converter devices having a bidirectional switch connected to a middle point of a DC power supply assembly, whereby interruption of the device may cause break down of semiconductor switches due to overvoltage if the semiconductor switches are totally interrupted simultaneously. In some aspects, a shut down procedure of a multilevel power converter device having a bidirectional switch connected to the middle point of a DC power supply assembly, gates of semiconductor switches are interrupted one by one according to a predetermined sequence or a sequence corresponding to the conditions of voltage and current at that moment with a time interval, and finally the bidirectional switch connected to the middle point of a DC power supply assembly is interrupted. As a result, a transition from an operating state to a shut down state can be made with minimum voltage variation.

Abstract: A power isolation system and method is disclosed. The system includes a transformer suitable for use in the power isolation system, and a semiconductor device electrically connected to the transformer to provide a reduction of the inrush current associated with powering the transformer, wherein the semiconductor device is activated upon power up based upon the previous shutdown state of the power isolation system to provide a soft start to the transformer, and after activation of the transformer, the semiconductor device is shorted in the system.

Abstract: A discharge circuit for an EMI filter capacitor, wherein the EMI filter capacitor is coupled between input terminals of a switching converter. The discharge circuit has a detecting circuit and a current source. The detecting circuit is configured to detect whether an electrical source is coupled to the input terminals of the switching converter. The current source is coupled between the input terminals of the switching converter and a power supply capacitor, and is configured to provide a power supply voltage across the power supply capacitor. When the electrical source is uncoupled from the input terminals of the switching converter, the EMI filter capacitor is discharged by the current source.

Abstract: A circuit includes a detector configured to detect a state of a power supply including an energy storage component and to generate a control signal responsive to the state of the power supply, a dissipating component, and a switch configured to controllably couple the dissipating component to the energy storage component in response to the control signal output by the detector. Methods of operating a power supply including an energy storage component and a dissipating component are disclosed. The methods include monitoring the power supply to determine if the power supply may be active, and, in response to determining that the power supply may be inactive, coupling the dissipating component to the energy storage component to dissipate energy from the energy storage component.

Abstract: A semiconductor device of the present invention determines an overheat state by comparing a forward voltage drop of a temperature sensing diode with a reference voltage, and in addition includes a series regulator circuit composed of an amplifier and resistors, that receives the forward voltage drop of a temperature sensing diode and delivers an output voltage as temperature information to an external output terminal for temperature detection of the semiconductor device. Such a device can continuously detect the temperature of the semiconductor chip.

Abstract: The invention relates to a static converter connected between an electrical voltage source (4) and an electrical load (6), said converter including a main static conversion arm (16) comprising an output electronic switching cell and a backup conversion arm (18) having identical structures. The static converter includes a pair of fuses (70, 72) connected on either side of the main arm (16), and a switching circuit (26) comprising a connection element (80) connecting the backup arm (18) to the connection points between the fuses and the input terminals of the main arm, such that, when a fault occurs on one of the switching cells forming the main arm (16), a stable conductive link is established between the two fuses (70, 72), the main arm (16) is isolated by the two fuses (70, 72), and the backup arm (18) is spontaneously connected to the output of the main arm (18) via the conductive line and replaces the main arm.

Abstract: An overvoltage protection circuit is provided for at least one branch of a half-bridge which includes a controllable semiconductor switch element and a free-wheeling diode connected in series and situated on a common circuit substrate. The protection circuit includes a commutation branch connected in parallel with the half-bridge branch, the commutation branch including at least one commutation capacitor also situated on the circuit substrate.

Abstract: A circuit arrangement includes a switching element that switches a load current, a current-limiting element connected in series to the switching element, a bistable first relay connected in parallel to the switching element and the current-limiting element, and a control circuit that switches the power-supply unit from a first operating state to a second operating state in which a load current for generating a DC voltage flows from the power grid to the power-supply unit, such that the control circuit turns on the switching element for a first time period during switching of the power-supply unit from the first to the second operating state, to turn the bistable relay on during the first time period, and to turn the switching element off at the end of the first time period.

Abstract: An isolated switched mode power supply (SMPS) is disclosed. The SMPS comprises a switching controller to generate start-up and operational switching control signals. The SMPS further includes a transformer, having a primary winding, and a full-bridge drive circuit to drive the primary winding. The full-bridge drive circuit comprises a first switching element, a boot-strap dnving circuit, and a second switching element. The switching controller is further used to start up isolated SMPS by determining a duty cycle for operational control signals and generating the start-up switching control signals.

Abstract: The present application discloses methods, circuits and systems for power conversion, using a universal multiport architecture. When a transient appears on the power input (which can be, for example, polyphase AC), the input and output switches are opened, and a crowbar switch shunts the inductance which is used for energy transfer. This prevents this inductance from creating an overvoltage when it is disconnected from outside lines.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments are directed to a method for operating a converter, wherein the converter includes a plurality of bridge branches having one or more switching cells connected in series. Each bridge branch connects one of a plurality of inputs to one of a plurality of outputs of the converter. The method includes monitoring each of the switching cells in order to determine a fault. If a fault is identified in one of the switching cells, triggering one of the triggering elements for short-circuiting switching cell connections if the fault identified in the switching cell is not followed by identification of a fault in a further one of the switching cells within a predetermined period of time.

Abstract: The present application discloses methods, circuits and systems for power conversion, using a universal multiport architecture. When a transient appears on the power input (which can be, for example, polyphase AC), the input and output switches are opened, and a crowbar switch shunts the inductance which is used for energy transfer. This prevents this inductance from creating an overvoltage when it is disconnected from outside lines.

Abstract: A controller integrated circuit (IC) for controlling a power converter uses one or more IC pins having plurality of functions such as configuration of a parameter supported by the controller IC and shutdown protection. Several different functions may be supported by a single IC pin, thereby reducing the number of pins required in the controller IC and also reducing the cost of manufacturing the controller IC. The controller IC may also share a comparison circuit among different pins and the different functions provided by those pins. Use of a shared comparison circuit further reduces the cost of manufacturing the controller IC without sacrificing the performance of the IC.

Abstract: A driving controller for driving a load is disclosed. The driving circuit includes a driving power supply and the driving controller. The driving power supply provides a first power source to the load. The controller is coupled to a second power source to receive an electric power for operating. The controller controls the amount of the electric power to the load when operating in a first mode and stops the driving power supply from providing the electric power to the load when operating in a second mode. The controller operates exclusively in the first mode before the driving power supply provides the first power source to the load.

Abstract: A power supply with arc flash protection mechanism for providing power to a load is disclosed. The power supply comprises a first power connector including a plurality of power terminals and a first detecting terminal, a power conversion circuit, a control unit and a connection status detection circuit. The power terminals of the first power connector are configured to couple with a plurality of power terminals of a second power connector, and the first detecting terminal is configured to couple with a second detecting terminal of the second power connector and provide a detecting signal indicative of whether the second power connector is being disconnected with the first power connector. When the first detecting terminal is disconnected with the second detecting terminal, a power connection status signal of the connection status detection circuit is under disable status and the control unit controls the power conversion circuit not to generate or output the output voltage to the load.

Abstract: The present application discloses methods, circuits and systems for power conversion, using a universal multiport architecture. When a transient appears on the power input (which can be, for example, polyphase AC), the input and output switches are opened, and a crowbar switch shunts the inductance which is used for energy transfer. This prevents this inductance from creating an overvoltage when it is disconnected from outside lines.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments are directed to a converter system having a phase voltage source, n partial converter systems, wherein n?1 and, when n=1, the partial converter system is connected to the phase voltage source at a connection point and, when n>1, the partial converter systems are connected to the phase voltage source at the connection point. Furthermore, a power switch is connected in series between the phase voltage source and the connection point. An interruption element is connected in series between the phase voltage source, the power switch, and the connection point to rapidly switch off a fault current via a partial converter system. Furthermore, a power electronic system including m converter systems is specified, wherein m>1.

Abstract: A switching element having an electromechanical switch (such as an electrically conductive membrane switch, for example a graphene membrane switch) is disclosed herein. Such a switching element can be made and used in a switching power converter to reduce power loss and to maximize efficiency of the switching power converter.

Abstract: The present application discloses methods, circuits and systems for power conversion, using a universal multiport architecture. When a transient appears on the power input (which can be, for example, polyphase AC), the input and output switches are opened, and a crowbar switch shunts the inductance which is used for energy transfer. This prevents this inductance from creating an overvoltage when it is disconnected from outside lines.

Abstract: A feedback control method of a pulse width modulator (PWM) voltage converter may include generating a control voltage as a sum of an offset voltage and an error signal representing a difference between a scaled replica of a regulated output voltage of the voltage converter and a reference voltage, comparing the control voltage with a ramp signal, the comparing operation generating PWM driving signals for the voltage converter, comparing the regulated output voltage of the voltage converter with an overshoot threshold, and reducing the control voltage when the overshoot threshold is exceeded.

Abstract: A power supply unit includes a storage unit, a temperature detecting unit, a ripple voltage detecting unit, and a processor. The storage unit stores a conversion relationship between ripple voltages V in different temperature ranges and equivalent ripple voltages Vs at a standard temperature Ts. The temperature detecting unit and the ripple voltage detecting unit detects a temperature T and a ripple voltage V of an electrolytic capacitor of the power supply unit respectively. The processor acquires an initial ripple voltage Vi of the electrolytic capacitor at an initial temperature Ti, acquires a working ripple voltage Vw at a working temperature Tw, converts Vi and Vw to equivalent ripple voltages Vis and Vws at the standard temperature Ts according to the relationship, compares Vws with Vis, and determines whether service life of the power supply unit is nearing its end.

Abstract: In a power conversion device of a vehicle, when a collision of a vehicle is detected, the voltage of a gate signal that drive a semiconductor switching element included in the power conversion device is decreased, and residual charge stored in a smoothing capacitor is discharged. Such a configuration increases switching loss when the semiconductor switching element is turned on or off during discharge of the residual charge in the power conversion device, so that discharge of the residual charge can be accomplished in a shorter time.

Abstract: A power supply apparatus and method are provided. A conversion component outputs a first current having a predetermined phase region, an output component outputs a load voltage, a sense component senses a second current value, and a switch element allows current to flow in a first state and impedes current in a second state. The switch element changes between states based on a drive signal forcing the switch into the second state when the first current is in the predetermined phase region and the second current value exceeds a threshold indicating an overcurrent condition. A region determination circuit determines whether the first current is in the predetermined phase region and produces a phase region signal. An overcurrent detection circuit senses the second current value, determines whether it exceeds an overcurrent condition threshold, and produces an overcurrent signal. A protection circuit causes the drive circuit to switch the drive signal.

Abstract: A power conversion system with zero-voltage start-up mechanism and a zero-voltage start-up device are disclosed. The system includes a power conversion circuit, a power factor correction unit, a storage capacitor, a storage switching unit, and a zero-voltage detection module. The storage switching unit is serially connected with the storage capacitor, and particularly controlled by the zero-voltage detection module. The zero-voltage detection module detects a timing as an input voltage is at low level, and then outputs a control signal to turn on the storage switching unit. Therefore, the present invention assures that the power conversion system is turned on when the input voltage is at the low level, in order to suppress the system from a surge current.

Abstract: An example power supply in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure includes a switch, an energy transfer element, a controller, an input filter, and a switch clamp circuit. The energy transfer element is coupled to the switch and the controller is coupled to control the switch to regulate an output of the power supply. The input filter is coupled to receive an input voltage of the power supply and includes a first input filter capacitor coupled to a node and a second input filter capacitor coupled to the node. The switch clamp circuit is also coupled to the node to clamp a voltage across the switch in response to a voltage at the node.

Abstract: The present application discloses methods, circuits and systems for power conversion, using a universal multiport architecture. When a transient appears on the power input (which can be, for example, polyphase AC), the input and output switches are opened, and a crowbar switch shunts the inductance which is used for energy transfer. This prevents this inductance from creating an overvoltage when it is disconnected from outside lines.

Abstract: A power supply controller includes an input voltage sense input and an output voltage sense input coupled to sense an input voltage and an output voltage of a power supply. A current limit circuit includes a first variable resistance coupled in parallel with a second variable resistance. The first variable resistance responsive the input voltage of the power supply and the second variable resistance is responsive to the output voltage of the power supply. The current limit circuit is coupled to generate a current limit signal in response to an equivalent resistance of the first variable resistance coupled in parallel with the second variable resistance. A drive signal generator is coupled to generate a drive signal in response to the current limit signal to drive a power switch of the power supply to limit an output power of the power supply in response to the input voltage.

Abstract: A motor driving circuit receives a control pulse signal pulse-width modulated according to a target rotational speed, and drives a fan motor. A start pulse signal generating unit generates a start pulse signal having a predetermined duty ratio. A driving unit drives the fan motor by pulse width modulation according to the driving pulse signal received from a control unit. When the duty ratio of the control pulse signal is switched from zero to a nonzero value when the fan motor is in the stopped state, the control unit commences the driving operation for the fan motor. The control unit outputs, as the driving pulse signal, the start pulse signal, in a predetermined start period Ts from the commencement of the driving operation. After the start period elapses, the control unit outputs the control pulse signal as the driving pulse signal.

Abstract: A power supply unit includes multiple input terminals to which alternating-current power is input; a positive terminal and a negative terminal for outputting direct-current power; a rectifier circuit configured to rectify the input alternating-current power; a first inductor connected to the rectifier circuit; a first capacitor connected between the positive terminal and the negative terminal; a first rectifying device connected between the output terminal of the first inductor and the positive terminal and having a rectification direction in a direction from the output terminal of the first inductor toward the positive terminal; a switching device connected between an input terminal of the first rectifying device and the negative terminal; a second rectifying device and a second capacitor connected in parallel to the switching device; and a second inductor connected between a connection of the second rectifying device and the second capacitor and the positive terminal.

Abstract: A soft-stop overvoltage protection circuit, into which a soft-stop overvoltage detection voltage proportional to a direct current output voltage is input, reduces the output of a multiplier in accordance with the soft-stop overvoltage detection voltage when the soft-stop overvoltage detection voltage exceeds a first threshold value. An overvoltage protection circuit, a second threshold value higher than the first threshold value being set, compulsorily turns off a switching element by outputting an overvoltage detection signal when the soft-stop overvoltage detection voltage exceeds the second threshold value. The soft-stop overvoltage protection circuit compulsorily increases the output of a voltage error amplifier circuit on the output voltage decreasing. When the output of the voltage error amplifier circuit increases suddenly, and the output voltage rises excessively, the soft-stop overvoltage protection circuit decreases the output of the multiplier, thus curbing the rise of the output voltage.

Abstract: A torque limit section that applies limit to a torque instruction value of an electric motor such that a switching elements temperature is restricted to no more than an element upper limiting temperature includes a torque restriction section that finds a torque restriction value for restricting the torque of the electric motor in accordance with the said switching elements temperature; a torque restriction mitigation section that finds a torque restriction mitigation value for mitigating the torque limit value in accordance with the integrated value of the deviation of the element upper limiting temperature and the switching elements temperature; a first subtractor that finds a torque restriction value by subtracting the torque restriction mitigation value from the torque limit value; and a second subtractor that finds a limited torque instruction value obtained by subtracting the torque limit value from the torque instruction value and outputs this to the gate generating section.

Abstract: A control apparatus for a series-connected multi-level matrix converter includes each voltage commanding device provided for each of single-phase matrix converters to generate a voltage reference to each of the single-phase matrix converters. The series-connected multi-level matrix converter includes the single-phase matrix converters. Each of the single-phase matrix converters includes a snubber circuit and a DC voltage detecting section configured to detect a DC voltage of the snubber circuit to output a DC voltage detection value. ADC over-voltage detector is configured to output a DC over-voltage signal when the DC voltage detection value exceeds a set voltage value. A voltage modifying device is, when the DC over-voltage signal is outputted, configured to decrease the voltage reference to a corresponding single-phase matrix converter among the single-phase matrix converters based on a deviation between the DC voltage detection value and the set voltage value.

Abstract: A power supply protected against open circuit conditions at its output terminals, and methods for so protecting, are disclosed. A front end circuit receives an input voltage and provides a regulated front end DC voltage to a voltage converter circuit, which in turn provides a DC output voltage to the output terminals to drive a light source. An open circuit protection circuit is coupled between the voltage converter circuit and the output terminals. It has a non-conducting state to couple the DC output voltage to the output terminals, and a conducting state to establish a short circuit across the output terminals in response to charging of a capacitor during an open circuit condition at the output terminals. A restart circuit intermittently discharges the capacitor during the open circuit condition to place the open circuit protection circuit in the non-conducting state when the open circuit condition is resolved.

Abstract: A system and method for digital management and control of power conversion from battery cells. The system utilizes a power management and conversion module that uses a CPU to maintain a high power conversion efficiency over a wide range of loads and to manage charge and discharge operation of the battery cells. The power management and conversion module includes the CPU, a current sense unit, a charge/discharge unit, a DC-to-DC conversion unit, a battery protection unit, a fuel gauge and an internal DC regulation unit. Through intelligent power conversion and charge/discharge operations, a given battery type is given the ability to emulate other battery types by conversion of the output voltage of the battery and adaptation of the charging scheme to suit the battery.

Abstract: Control of a converter for an electric vehicle may control the converter of the electric vehicle where the converter is adapted to drop voltage and a counting unit is adapted to count a signal generated by the converter. The control includes inputting a signal generated by the converter to the counting unit during operation of the converter; counting the signal by the counting unit; determining whether a counting result of the counting unit corresponds to a predetermined interval; and deciding that the converter is out-of-order in a case that the counting result does not correspond to the predetermined interval.

Abstract: The present abstract discloses a CMOS bandgap reference source circuit, comprising a startup circuit, a power-off control circuit, a reference voltage generating circuit and an operational amplifier. The positive and a negative input terminal of the operational amplifier both consist of two same field effect transistors and both are provided with an input controlled switch; by doing so, two field effect transistors in the positive terminal and two field effect transistors in the negative terminal work alternately between their strong inversion and cut-off region so as to drastically reduce the noises of the reference circuit, which results originally from the flicker noises of two input transistors of the operational amplifier.

Abstract: A system and method for providing acceptable output power from a wide range of received power, comprising: outputting a received voltage as an output voltage if the received voltage does not exceed a threshold; and limiting the output voltage to the threshold if the received voltage exceeds the threshold. Limiting the output voltage may comprise dropping an excess voltage across a switching element, wherein the excess voltage is the received voltage minus the threshold.

Abstract: The voltage of a detection resistor connected to the drain of a low-side switching device is normally a negative voltage, but a positive voltage appears when a countercurrent occurs in an abnormal state. A current comparator monitors the voltage of the detection resistor, transmits high output to an AND circuit whole the voltage of the detection resistor is a negative voltage to maintain the output voltage of the current comparator in a low state when an output signal of a driver can be transmitted to the low-side switching device, and allows the output voltage of the current comparator in a low state when the voltage of the detection resistor becomes a positive voltage, thereby forcibly turning off the low-side switching device.

Abstract: Power management circuitry (7-2,3,4) for converting a harvested voltage (Vhrv) to an output voltage (VBAT) applied to a battery (6) includes an inductor (L0) having a first terminal (3) coupled to receive the harvested voltage (Vhrv) and a second terminal coupled to a first terminal of a first switch (S0). The power management circuitry transfers the current generated by an energy harvester (2) to the battery if it (6) is not fully charged, and shunts the current away from the battery (6) to avoid overcharging if it is fully charged.

Abstract: A method in connection with a frequency converter and a frequency converter, the frequency converter being arranged for periodic recurrent use. The method comprises steps for generating and storing in a memory an average heating of a power semiconductor of the frequency converter, caused by one loading period, determining a temperature limit from the generated heating and the highest allowed temperature of the power semiconductor, determining the temperature of the power semiconductor in the frequency converter, and changing the operation mode of the frequency converter when the temperature of the power semiconductor exceeds the temperature limit when transferring to a loading period.

Abstract: Medical apparatus includes an electrical power supply, which is configured for connection to an electrical medical device that is coupled to a body of a patient. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes alternating current (AC) lines that include a ground line. A switch is coupled to connect and disconnect the AC lines from an AC power source. A current sensor is coupled to sense a current flowing in the ground line and to actuate the switch to disconnect the AC lines when the current exceeds a predetermined threshold. In another embodiment, a plurality of electrocardiogram (ECG) leads, including a common lead, are coupled to the body of the patient. An auxiliary current sensor is coupled to monitor a current flowing through the common lead and to actuate the switch to disconnect the power connection when the current exceeds a predetermined limit.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention provides a surge current protection circuit. The surge current protection circuit comprises a peak current detector and a current sensing device. When the peak current detector detects when a surge current has occurred, by monitoring a change in duty cycle on a node of a HS (high side) switch, a LS (low side) switch is activated. The current sensing device senses the current drawn through the LS switch. When the current sensing device senses a current that exceeds a current limit, the HS switch is turned off for a period of time such that the surge current is reduced.

Abstract: A fault tolerant synchronous rectifier PWM regulator system and method are disclosed. In the system and method, a force commutated synchronous rectifier is operable to be coupled to an electrical bus, and a low side switch is operable to be coupled to a common ground. In addition, a first fuse is coupled to the force commutated synchronous rectifier and the low side switch, and is operable to open in response to a first fault. Furthermore, an inductor is coupled to the first fuse, the force commutated synchronous rectifier and the low side switch, and a second fuse is coupled to the inductor and is operable to be coupled to a current source and to open in response to a second fault.

Abstract: A device corrects the power factor in forced switching power supplies and includes a converter and a control device to obtain a regulated voltage on an output terminal. The control device comprises an error amplifier having an inverting terminal (Vout) and a non-inverting terminal receiving a reference voltage. The device includes first and second resistances coupled in series with a conduction element positioned between the first resistance and the inverting terminal of the error amplifier and a fault detector suitable for detecting the electrical connection of the conduction element with the output terminal and suitable for detecting an output signal of the second resistance. The fault detector is suitable for supplying a malfunction signal upon detecting an electric disconnection of the conduction element from the output terminal or when the output signal of the second resistance tends to zero.