Patent ID: 6473284
Filing Date: 2002-10-29
Classification: H02H,H02M

Abstract:
A power converter having an input rectifier circuit and an output dc voltage bus, comprising:a first switching device coupled between the input rectifier circuit and the output dc voltage bus; and an overvoltage current path comprising a complementary switching device coupled in series with Zener diode circuitry having a predetermined breakdown voltage, the overvoltage current path further comprising a transition current path, the first switching device being on for operation in a nominal input voltage range such that rectified input voltage is provided to the output dc voltage bus, the transition current path being activated when the input voltage exceeds the Zener diode breakdown voltage, the complementary switching device being turned on when the threshold voltage thereof is exceeded, the first switching device becoming non-conductive upon activating the complementary switching device such that current flows substantially entirely through the overvoltage current path, the complementary switching device becoming non-conductive upon the input voltage decreasing back to the nominal input voltage range.