AC-DC|FAQ
AC-DC FAQ
2020.01.01
- What is the difference between isolated type and non-isolated type devices?
- Can the NC pin of an IC be connected to something else without problem?
- What is the configuration of the self‐excited chopper type switching regulator?
- What is the flammability grade of the outer (package) resin?
- What is the isolation voltage of the outer (package) resin?
- A double-protection fuse is inserted into the AV 100 V line, but is a separate fuse needed?
- Can a jumper chip be used instead of a fuse?
- What is the reason for requiring a fast-acting fuse?
- Can an external coil other than the recommended product be used?
- A sound occurs depending on the direction of mounting of the coil.
- What is the reason for a change in oscillation frequency with the coil direction?
- I want to reduce the capacitance of the input smoothing capacitor; would this be a problem?
- The recommended withstanding voltage for the output capacitor is 25 V. Is there a problem with using a 16 V capacitor?
- Can you provide the results of open/short tests for components and pins?
AC-DC
- What is the difference between isolated type and non-isolated type devices?
- In an isolated type device, the primary side (AC line) and the secondary side (DC output) are separated, so that the risk of electrical shocks is reduced. In a non-isolated device, the primary side and the secondary side are connected, and so there is the concern that electrical shocks may occur. Depending on the application, an isolated type device may be necessary.
- Can the NC pin of an IC be connected to something else without problem?
- The NC pin is as a rule an open pin not connected to the internal chip, and so there is no problem. As exceptions, however, there are cases in which conditions forbidding connection to other devices are imposed, and so cautionary notes should be checked in each case. Moreover, depending on the IC manufacturer, the pin may be “Not Connected” or it may be labeled “Do Not Connect”; when there is uncertainty, the manufacturer should be consulted.
- What is the configuration of the self‐excited chopper type switching regulator?
- An example of constituent blocks is shown. The configuration may differ somewhat depending on the device, but in essence, a chopper type switching regulator configuration is used. For separate cases, please refer to block diagrams and the like.

- What is the flammability grade of the outer (package) resin?
- The flammability grade is UL 94 V-0.
- What is the isolation voltage of the outer (package) resin?
- 20 kV/mm or higher.
- A double-protection fuse is inserted into the AV 100 V line, but is a separate fuse needed?
- Yes, it is needed, and must always be used.
- Can a jumper chip be used instead of a fuse?
- A jumper chip cannot be substituted for a fuse.
- What is the reason for requiring a fast-acting fuse?
- The fuse is necessary in order to prevent further damage to the equipment, including in some cases such dangerous states as smoking and flames, when an overcurrent flows due to overloading or a short-circuit.
- Can an external coil other than the recommended product be used?
- The external coil greatly affects the AC-DC converter characteristics and performance. A coil equivalent to the recommended product can be used, but thorough evaluations are essential.
- A sound occurs depending on the direction of mounting of the coil.
- In self-excited oscillation type devices, the switching frequency may change depending on the coil mounting direction. If the switching frequency is within the audible range, it is possible that coil vibrations might be an audible sound. Also, depending on the position, resonance with the mounting board is another possibility. The mounting direction and location must be studied, including any sounds that occur.
- What is the reason for a change in oscillation frequency with the coil direction?
- In the case of self-excited oscillation, magnetic flux generated by the coil affects the driving circuit of the AC-DC converter itself, so that the oscillation frequency changes.
- I want to reduce the capacitance of the input smoothing capacitor; would this be a problem?
- When the output current is small, there is no problem with reducing the capacitance. However, the input capacitor must be able to allow input ripple currents, and so when changing the capacitance, the capacitor must be examined to confirm that the allowed ripple current for the capacitor is appropriate.
- The recommended withstanding voltage for the output capacitor is 25 V. Is there a problem with using a 16 V capacitor?
- At a minimum, there must be a margin with respect to the preset output voltage. Moreover, the output capacitor affects the output ripple voltage. In general, there is a tendency for the ESR (equivalent series resistance) to be larger for smaller capacitor withstanding voltages, and so consequently the output ripple voltage is increased. It should be confirmed that the output ripple voltage that occurs is within the allowed range. In addition, the allowed ripple current is smaller, and so a capacitor with an allowed ripple current equal to that of the recommended capacitor should be used.
- Can you provide the results of open/short tests for components and pins?
- Basically, these can be provided; please inquire for specific models.
【Download Documents】 Basics of AC-DC Converter and Design Procedures
A hand book for beginners to AC-DC converter design, covering the basics of AC-DC conversion and various conversion methods, as well as the procedures and issues involved in designing an AC-DC converter.
AC-DC
Basic
- AC-DC Basics
- DC-DC Conversion (Regulated) System after Smoothing
- Design Procedure for AC-DC Conversion Circuits (Overview)
- Issues and considerations in AC-DC Conversion Circuit Design
- Summary
- Extra Plus Basic Knowledge
Design
-
Overview of Design Method of PWM AC-DC Flyback Converters
- Isolated Flyback Converter Basics: Flyback Converter Operation and Snubber
- Isolated Flyback Converter Basics: What are Discontinuous Mode and Continuous Mode?
- Want are Isolated Flyhback Convertors?
- Design Procedure
- Isolated Flyback Converter Basics: What is Switching AC-DC Conversion?
- Determining Power Supply Specifications
- Designing Isolated Flyback Converter Circuits
- Isolated Flyback Converter Basics: What are Characteristics of Flyback Converter?
- Designing Isolated Flyback Converter Circuits: Transformer Design (Calculating numerical values)
- Choosing an IC for Design
- Designing Isolated Flyback Converter Circuits: Transformer Design (Structural Design) – 1
- Designing Isolated Flyback Converter Circuits: Transformer Design (Structural Design) – 2
- Designing Isolated Flyback Converter Circuits: Selecting Critical Components ? MOSFET related – 1
- Designing Isolated Flyback Converter Circuits: Selecting Critical Components ? MOSFET related – 2
- Designing Isolated Flyback Converter Circuits: Selecting Critical Components ? CIN and Snubber
- Designing Isolated Flyback Converter Circuits: Selecting Critical Components ? Output Rectifier and Cout
- Designing Isolated Flyback Converter Circuits: Selecting Critical Components ? VCC of IC
- Designing Isolated Flyback Converter Circuits: Selecting Critical Components – IC Settings Etc.
- Designing Isolated Flyback Converter Circuits: Addressing EMI and Output Noise
- Example Board Layout
- Summary
-
Overview of Design Examples of AC-DC Non-isolated Buck Converters
- What are Buck Converters? – Basic Operation and Discontinuous Mode vs. Continuous Mode
- Selection of Power Supply ICs and Design Examples
- Selecting Critical Components: Input Capacitor C1 and VCC Capacitor C2
- Selecting Critical Components: Inductor L1
- Selecting Critical Components: Current Sense Resistor R1
- Selecting Critical Components: Output Capacitor C5
- Selecting Critical Components: Output Rectifying Diode D4
- EMI Countermeasures
- Board Layout and Summary
-
Introduction
- Design Procedure
- IC Used in Design
- Power Supply Specifications and Replacement Circuit
- Synchronous Rectifying Circuit Section: Selection of Synchronous Rectifying MOSFET
- Synchronous Rectification Circuit Section: Power Supply IC Selection
- Troubleshooting ①: Case When Secondary-Side MOSFET Suddenly Turns OFF
- Synchronous Rectification Circuit Section: Selection of Peripheral Circuit Components-C1, R3 at MAX_TON Pin, and VCC Pin
- Troubleshooting ②: Case When Secondary-Side MOSFET Turns On Due to Resonance Under Light Loading
- Troubleshooting ③: Case When, Due to Surge, VDS2 Rises to Above Secondary-Side MOSFET VDS Voltage
- Comparison of Efficiency of Diode Rectification and Synchronous Rectification
- Points to Note Relating to PCB Layout
- Summary
- Synchronous Rectification Circuit Section: Selection of Peripheral Circuit Components-D1, R1, R2 at DRAIN Pin
- Shunt Regulator Circuit Section: Selection of Peripheral Circuit Components
-
Introduction
- Power Supply ICs Used in Design: Optimized for SiC MOSFETs
- Design Example Circuit
- Transformer T1 Design – 1
- Transformer T1 Design – 2
- Selecting Critical Components: MOSFET Q1
- Selecting Critical Components: Input Capacitor and Balancing Resistor
- Selecting Critical Components: Switch Setting Resistors for Overload Protection Points
- Selecting Critical Components: VCC-Related Components of Power Supply ICs
- Selecting Critical Components: Components Related to Power Supply IC BO (Brownout) Pins
- Selecting Critical Components: Components Related to Snubber Circuits
- Selecting Critical Components: MOSFET Gate Drive Adjustment Circuit
- Selecting Critical Components: Output Rectifying Diode
- Selecting Critical Components: Output Capacitors, Output Setting and Control Components
- Selecting Critical Components: Current Sense Resistors and Components Related to Detection Pins
- Selecting Critical Components: Components for Dealing with EMI and Output Noise
- PCB Layout Example
- Example Circuit and Component List
- Evaluation Results: Efficiency and Switching Waveform
- Summary
Evaluation
-
What are Isolated Flyback Converters Performance Evaluation and Checkpoints?
- Overview and important features of a power supply IC used in example performance evaluation
- Design goals and circuits in performance evaluation
- Performance evaluation using an evaluation board: Measurement method and results
- Critical checkpoint: Output transient response and rising output voltage waveform
- Critical checkpoint: Measuring temperature and loss
- Critical checkpoint: Aluminum electrolytic capacitors
- Summary
- Critical checkpoint: Transformer saturation
- Critical checkpoint: MOSFET VDS and IDS, and rated voltage of output rectifier diode
- Critical checkpoint: Vcc voltage
Product Information
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