NCP1651
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26
Error Amplifier
The error amplifier resides on the secondary side of the
circuit, and therefore is not part of the chip. A minimal
solution would include either a discrete amplifier and
reference, or an integrated circuit that combines both, such
as the TL431 series of regulators.
Figure 41. Error Amplifier Circuit
-
+
FB/SD
Error
Amp
R
fb
C
fb
R
dc2
R
dc1
R
opto
V′
V
out
V
ref2
This configuration for the error amplifier will result in a
low cost regulator, however, due to the slow loop response
of a PFC regulator it will not protect against overvoltage
conditions (e.g. load removal) or droop when a transient
load is added.
The primary side circuit has been designed such that the
PFC controller will operate at maximum duty cycle with the
optocouple in a non-conducting state. This is necessary to
allow the unit to bring up the output when the system is
initially energized. At this time there is not output voltage
available to drive the LED in the optocoupler.
In the circuit of Figure 41, the amplifier and reference
need to be rated at the maximum voltage that the output will
experience, including transient conditions. Resistors R
dc1
and R
dc2
need to be chosen such that the voltage at V′ is
equal to V
ref2
when V
out
is at its regulated voltage. R
opto
is
a current limiting resistor that protects the optocoupler from
current transients due to output surges.
This design also includes inherent compensation from
transients. Since the bandwidth of the error amplifier is very
low, its output can not respond rapidly to changes in the
output voltage. A transient change in the output voltage will
change the current through R
opto
. Since the output of the
error amplifier does not change immediately, if the output
voltage increases, the voltage across R
opto
will increase.
This drives more current through the optocoupler, which in
turn reduces the output of the converter.
An alternate regulator is recommended, which is only
slightly more expensive, and offers excellent protection
from positive transients, and quick recovery from negative
transients.
Figure 42. Error Amp with Over/Undershoot
Protection
-
+
-
+
-
+
12 V
7.5 k
R
bias
0.01 F
4.02 k
5.23 k
9.31 k
R
out
453
422
5.23 k
R
tn
Undervoltage
Capacitor
3.6 k
R
opto
C
out
Error Amplifier
MC3303
Overvoltage
Comparator
TL431
The configuration shown in Figure 42, incorporates an
error amplifier with slow loop response, plus overvoltage
and undervoltage comparators. Under normal operation the
outputs of the Undervoltage and Overvoltage Comparators
are high. The Undervoltage Comparator provides drive for
the optocoupler, while the Overvoltage Comparator reverse
biases the diode on its output and is out of the loop.
This circuit is designed with 8% trip points both above and
below the regulation limit. If an overvoltage condition
exists, the Overvoltage comparator will respond very
quickly. When its output goes low, it will provide maximum
drive to the optocoupler, which will shut off the output of the
converter.
If the output voltage drops 8% or more below its regulated
level, the Undervoltage Comparator will go low. This will
remove the drive from the optocoupler, which will allow the
regulator to increase the duty cycle and return the output to
its regulation range much faster than the error amplifier
could.
This configuration will work over a range of 5 to 30 volts,
with the appropriate changes in R
out
, R
bias
and R
opto
.
R
out
(k) = (V
out
- 4.753) / 0.7785
R
bias
(k) = (V
out
- 4.4)
R
opto
(k) = (V
out
- 3) / 2
The value for R
opto
will allow a maximum of 2 mA to
drive the optocoupler. If additional current is needed, change
the 2 in the denominator of that equation to the current
(inmA) that is desired.