Analysis and design of an active-clamping zero-voltage-switching isolated inverse-SEPIC converter

This paper presents an active-clamping zero-voltage-switching (ZVS) isolated inverse-SEPIC converter. The high voltage spikes when turning off the switches are eliminated. The energies stored in the parasitic elements can be recycled to achieve the ZVS of switches. Therefore, the conversion efficiency increases substantially, yet with a reduced circuit cost. Detailed analysis and design of the proposed topology are described. Experimental results are recorded for a prototype converter with a DC input voltage ranging from 130 to 180 V, an output voltage of 12V and a rated output power of 120 W, operating at a switching frequency of 65 kHz. The average active-mode efficiency is above 88%. Copyright (C) 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.