A capacitor-fed, voltage-step-down, single-phase, nonisolated rectifier

A simple rectifier, little documented in the literature, provides a low-voltage output from an AC-mains supply, with inherent short-circuit protection. We present waveforms, a theoretical analysis, simulation results (within /spl plusmn/2% of theoretical predictions over a 512:1 range of the principal design parameter) and experimental confirmation, and propose variants with improved regulation. The line-harmonic characteristics comply with IEC 1000-3-2, Class A, at power levels up to 250 W. This rectifier finds application in equipment requiring a low-voltage, nonisolated DC supply.