AC DC Converter

How an AC DC Converter Works

AC DC Converter

Ever wondered how the mammoth electricity from the power lines, which is in the form Alternating Current (AC) is converted to smaller voltages to run electrical appliances and gadgets we have at home? Well, we don’t actually notice the big conversion taking place right before our very eyes, but all we know is that this process is necessary to limit the amount of electrical power going through our electrical appliances and gadgets running in Direct Current (DC). A rectifier or an AC DC Converter is the essential gadget that makes the conversion possible.

Most of the appliances and gadgets we have, such as PCs and cellular phones run on Direct Current. There are two indicators, which will help you determine that an appliance or gadget uses DC. First is the ability of the electrical device to run independently on batteries; and second, the presence of a third device, often called AC adapter, which is plugged in between the main power source and the device. AC adapters are already simple forms of an AC DC converter, which rectifies or converts AC coming from your wall sockets into DC for your electrical device.

AC DC converter, also known as Switch Mode Power Supply is used in various household and industrial applications, e.g. air conditioners, refrigerators, washing machines, dishwashers, and other industrial machines. Its components generally consist of a rectifier bridge that converts the AC from the input or main lines; and a regulating device that supplies a regulated output for one or more DC voltages.

AC DC converter works by converting AC sine wave and storing it in an internal capacitor. Many AC DC converters make use of a complex power factor correction mechanism to reduce the harmonic content of AC into the approximate sine wave. This is required to comply with the international standards for low AC input current content.