PI Introduces CAPZero Product Family

 Power Integrations’ new CAPZero eliminates X capacitor bleed resistor power losses, instantly reduces no-load consumption, and increases available standby power. It is ideal for all high-power products with tight standby and no-load requirements.

When AC voltage is applied, CAPZero blocks current flow in the X capacitor safety discharge resistors, reducing the power loss to less than 5 mW, or essentially zero1 at 230 VAC. When AC voltage is disconnected, CAPZero automatically discharges the X capacitor by connecting the bleed resistors in parallel.

This operation allows total flexibility in the choice of the X capacitor to optimize differential mode EMI filtering and reduce inductor costs, with no change in power consumption.

Designing with CAPZero is simply a matter of selecting the appropriate CAPZero device and external resistor values in Table 1 for the X capacitor value being used. This design choice will provide a worst case RC time constant, when the AC supply is disconnected, of less than 1 second as required by international safety standards.

The simplicity and ruggedness of the two terminal CAPZero chip makes it an ideal choice in systems designed to meet EuP Lot 6 requirements.

Product Highlights:

• Blocks current through X capacitor discharge resistors when AC is connected
  
• Automatically discharges X capacitors when AC is disconnected
  
• Simplifies EMI filter design – larger X capacitor allows smaller inductive components with no change in consumption
  
• Only two terminals – meets safety standards for use before or after system input fuse
  
• Self supplied – no external bias required
   

More info