Considerations on the use of a Boost PFC Regulator Used in Household Air-conditioning Systems (over 3kW)

The CCM (Continuous Conduction Mode) boost topology is generally used in the PFC (Power Factor Correction) regulator of household air-conditioning systems. There are three kinds of power devices-bridge rectifier diodes, FRDs (Fast Recovery Diodes), and IGBTs (or MOSFETs) - used In a boost PFC regulator. Selecting the appropriate device is very cumbersome work, specially, in the case of FRDs and IGBTs, because there are several considerations as described below: 1) High frequency leakage current regulation (conducted and radiated EMI regulation) 2) Power losses and thermal design 3) Device cost. It should be noted that there are trade-offs between the power loss characteristic of 2) and the other characteristics of 1) and 3). This paper presents a detailed evaluation by using several types of power devices, which can be unintentionally used, to show that optimal selection can be achieved. Based on the given thermal resistances, thermal analysis and design procedures are also described from a practical viewpoint.