Power factor correction in AC/DC converters: design and measuring problems

This paper presents the design and the real characteristics of a power factor correction (PFC) boost converter, operating at a power level of 1000 W and at a variable switching frequency (between 7 kHz and 100 kHz). The harmonic content of the input current of a PFC boost converter is monitorized and compared with the harmonic content of the input current of the traditional AC/DC conversion topology. Another issue that is discussed in this paper is the accuracy of different measuring instruments in function to the harmonic content of the measuring signal and the interference in the operational characteristics of this converter due to the presence of these instruments. Experimental results for the case of a traditional AC/DC converter as well as for the case of a PFC converter are exhibited.