A 2.4 kW Unity Power Factor Rectifier

Exhibitor: Matthew Douglas

Supervisor: Geoffrey Walker

Research Group: Embedded Systems

Industry Sector: Energy and Utilities

Worldwide ac/dc switch mode power supplies (SMPS) are a multi billion industry generating $23 billion in the year 2000 and they are continuing to expand. SMPS service applications range from communication and computers through to military uses. One of the leading topics in line-operated power-converter design is to take the power from the grid but not to return it. Ideally, the power converter will present as a purely resistive impedance to the ac source.

This is known as Unity Power Factor (UPF) and it has become an important design issue as a consequence of recent legislation. European legislation restricts the harmonic content for power supplies. International standards are emerging known as the IEC 1000-3 and IEC 555-2.

The benefits of unity power factor are more than legislative compliance. The benefits include greater efficiency, larger power density and improved power quality result in economic benefits to the electricity supplier.

This project involves the design of a 2.4kW Unity Power Factor Rectifier. The converter operates at an input voltage of 240Vac and outputs a regulated 420Vdc.

Thesis Document (PDF)

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