Key Considerations for PFC Conductors

Note: PFC (Power Factor Correction) inductors are used in active boost circuits to correct harmonic current distortion in AC to DC converters. The goal is to achieve a Power Factor (PF) as close to 1.0 are possible.

Inductor Selection

• Switching Frequency
• Output Power Requirements
• Temperature Rise/Environment
• Maximum Peak Desired Current
• Physical Size
• Mechanical Mountin Methods
• Additional Bias Voltage Needs

Inductor Optimization

Proper Core Selection

• Ferrite
• Powered Iron
• Low Loss
• High Flux
• MPP
• Gapped Amorphous Core

Wire & Winding Configurations

• Balance AC & DC Losses
• Litz Wire
• Proximity Effect

Trade-Offs / Challenges

• Cost
• Size
• Performance

E-Core - Inductor, PFC

• Inductor controlled by Core Gapping
• High Current
• Lower Winding Cost
• PFC Board Mounting

Toroid - Choke,
PFC, IR 1150

• Inductor Swing
• Moderate Cost
• Higher Loss