Single-Phase Non-Isolated Front-End PFC Power Converters: A Comprehensive Review

Abstract

Power quality is of paramount importance in smart grids targeting stability and efficiency despite the irregular power operation of distributed energy resources and dynamic loads. This paper presents a comprehensive review of single-phase non-isolated front-end power factor correction (PFC) converters, widely used in modern power electronics systems aiming to improve the quality of AC current and comply with regulatory standards. The most relevant topologies are analyzed, highlighting their operating principles, hardware and control complexity, as well as multilevel or interleaved features. Furthermore, the paper compares different converter solutions in terms of suitability for applications such as electric vehicle chargers and consumer electronics. By synthesizing traditional and recent topologies, this review provides valuable insights for researchers and engineers aiming to select and optimize PFC converters for the next-generation of energy-efficient power electronics applications.