Single Relay Limits In-Rush Current

Electronic Design
Contributing Author
Contributing Author
Thu, 1993-09-02 (All day)
In this circuit, a single relay limits the in-rush current and turns off the startup circuitry for a
switching power supply. Typically, switching power supplies initially use a rectified ac line to power
the control circuitry. Once the power supply is running, an auxiliary supply winding provides power.
Startup circuits either use a wasteful high-value multiwatt resistor to charge a capacitor until the
controller turns on, or a more efficient but costly active circuit that turns off once the controller is
running.
High-power switching supplies often use resistors to limit the initial in-rush current caused by
charging the filter capacitors (see figure, a).

A single-pole, single-throw (SPST) relay shorts across the resistor once the power supply is operating
properly. Changing this relay to a single-pole, double-throw (SPDT) relay creates a circuit that's
simple and inexpensive, yet wastes little power once the supply is running (see figure, b).

When the supply is initially turned on, the common terminal of relay K1 is connected to resistor R2 to
charge up capacitor C1 and supply power to the controller IC. R1 is left in-circuit to limit the in-rush
current. Once the power supply starts operating, K1 closes, shorting across in-rush current-limiting
resistor R1 and turning off the current through startup resistor R