Quote:
Originally Posted by NiHaoMike
Wouldn't a voltage doubler be cheaper than a PFC?
|
I don't know for sure. I've seen 5kw stepup transformers on ebay for 70 bucks or so, and it's a 7" block of iron that weighs like 30 lbs. I've seen the schematics for the capacitor method, but I don't know how well it works at high power or how efficient it is.
this is a pdf for a pfc IC
http://www.irf.com/product-info/data...ata/ir1150.pdf
I haven't really looked into using it, but it seems that the most expensive parts would be the mosfet and inductor and maybe some ripple caps, but otherwise the circuit doesn't look too crazy. let's say it adds up to the price of a stepup transformer, or maybe it's $50 more - you'd get the added benefit of lower weight and active PFC for roughly the same price or a little more. maybe it's worth it? active pfc is a ton more complicated compared to a transformer or cap.
It'd be interesting to measure what the powerfactor currently is - maybe it's not that bad? I don't have the proper tools...