STMicroelectronics (ST) said on the 18th it has released the L6462A, a power factor correction (PFC) controller for power supplies up to 250W. PFC is a technology that reduces power loss and improves power-use efficiency.
ST's L6462A is a transition mode (TM) PFC controller. By using a current generator and current waveform shaper instead of a conventional voltage sensor and analog multiplier, it enables the design of a boost PFC converter without an external voltage divider. A boost PFC converter is a power circuit that improves power quality by shaping the input current waveform.
The device detects the inductor demagnetization point at the gate driver output to adjust the PFC conversion cycle. Demagnetization is the process in which energy stored in the inductor is released. ST said this approach eliminates the need for an auxiliary inductor winding or separate interface components, reducing bill-of-materials cost.
Key applications include power supplies for consumer electronics such as high-end battery chargers, power adapters, flat-panel TVs, and lighting drivers. Standby current does not exceed 60 microamperes (µA), helping products meet eco-design standby power requirements.
To reduce power loss at maximum load, the L6462A operates with quasi-resonant valley switching. As load decreases, it maintains efficiency by lowering the operating frequency through valley skipping. In LED lighting, deep burst mode allows smooth brightness control.
The input voltage range is AC 90–264V. It is generally designed to provide a 400V output. It can directly drive an external boost-converter MOSFET and provides an active pulldown for safety during undervoltage lockout. It also includes overcurrent, output overvoltage, feedback-fault, inductor-saturation, and short-circuit protection.
ST also offers the EVL6462A-250W-M evaluation demo board. The board implements a 250W PFC preregulator that supports a universal input-voltage range, enabling rapid verification of product performance. ST said it achieved less than 5% total harmonic distortion (THD) at maximum load and peak efficiency above 97%. THD is an indicator of how distorted current and voltage waveforms are.
The L6462A is currently produced in a SOT23-6L package. Pricing starts at $0.18 each for orders of 1,000 units.