POWER FACTOR CORRECTION USING BOOST CONVERTER

ABSTRACT In an electrical Power systems, a load with a low power factor draws more current than a load with a high power factor for the same amount of useful power transferred. Linear loads with low power factor (induction motor) can be corrected with a passive network of capacitors or inductors. Non-linear loads (rectifier) distort the current drawn from the system. Boost converter topology is used to accomplish this active power factor correction using IC NCP1601A which has a superior performance, making the device capable of working in wide input voltage range (85V-265V) applications with an excellent total harmonic distortion. Most off-line appliances use a bridge rectifier associated to a huge bulk capacitor to derive raw D.C voltage from the utility A.C line. This technique results in a high harmonic content and in poor power factor ratios. Active solutions are the most popular way to meet the legislation requirements. They consist of inserting a P.F.C pre-regulator between the rectifier bridge and the bulk capacitor