> They already have what they call a "power factor" correction
> spec, and that frightens me too... power engineers talking about
> power factor for an SMPS! 

JT> Last I heard, every 300W or higher switcher requires power
JT> factor correction. Nothing wrong with that, they don't have to
JT> generate as much at the source. 

 It's crazy, John. SMPS don't take a simewave current, they take a
short pulse on the peak of the voltage. Power factor correction has no
meaning unless you filter the pulse with a ballast choke like a
fluorescent light.

JT> It adds to the complexity, and somewhat adversely affects the
JT> reliability, but hey, it's all in the interest of better
JT> overall efficiency. -- 

 Ask an engineer about it... if you can find one. Hint: the real one
will laugh.

 But it's not funny. At present they get away with it because the big
users of power are still water heating and motors. If the *main* load
on a generator ever becomes a short rectified pulse, you can kiss
goodbye to our power stations...  

Regards,
Bob



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