What is High Frequency Power Conversion?
High Frequency Power Conversion is a term applied to a special kind of power supply. Generally, they are DC-to-DC converters, operating with high frequency switching action to accomplish conversion of DC power at one voltage level to DC power at a different voltage level. Most power supplies of this type are “step down” converters, taking a higher voltage as input and stepping it down to a lower voltage. They are sometimes called Switchmode power supplies, or just switching power supplies. The power supply inside your personal computer is this type. In most “off the line” switching power supplies, the AC line is first rectified to a moderate DC voltage, perhaps of 160 or 320 volts. Then, this is passed through one or more switching transistors, which are switching on and off at a high frequency, to the primary of a transformer. In the case of a step down conversion process, this transformer is arranged as a step down unit, with more turns on the primary than on the secondary. Connected
