IC device dramatically reduces the input bulk capacitor size and in-rush current

Power Integrations offers the MinE-CAP IC for high power density, universal input AC/DC converters. By halving the size of the high-voltage bulk electrolytic capacitors needed in offline power supplies, this new type of IC allows a reduction in adapter size of up to 40%. The device also significantly decreases in-rush current making NTC thermistors unnecessary, boosting system efficiency and lowering heat dissipation.

Comments Power Integrations’ product marketing director, Chris Lee: “The MinE-CAP will be a game-changer for compact chargers and adapters. Electrolytic capacitors are physically large, occupy a significant fraction of the internal volume and often constrain form factor options – particularly minimum thickness – of adapter designs. The MinE-CAP IC allows the designer to use predominantly low voltage rating capacitors for a large portion of the energy storage, which shrinks the volume of those components linearly with voltage. USB PD has driven a major market push towards small 65W chargers, and many companies have concentrated on increasing switching frequency to reduce the size of the flyback transformer. MinE-CAP provides more volume saving than doubling the switching frequency, while actually increasing system efficiency.”

Said Bhaskar Thiagaragan, director of Power Integrations India Ltd.: “MinE-CAP ICs are excellent for all locations with wide-ranging input voltages. In India we often design for voltages from 90VAC to 350VAC, with a generous surge de-rating above that. Engineers here often complain about the forest of expensive high-voltage capacitors required. MinE-CAP dramatically reduces the number of high-voltage storage components and shields lower voltage capacitors from the wild mains voltage swings, substantially enhancing robustness while reducing system maintenance and product returns.

Housed in the miniature MinSOP-16A package, the new devices operate seamlessly with the company's InnoSwitch family of power supply ICs with the minimum of external components.