# Reducing Energy Consumed By Household Appliances

- Show: [EE Times Current](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ee-times-current)
- Published: 2023-05-02
- Length: 16m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ee-times-current/2023-05-02-reducing-energy-consumed-by-household-appliances
- Listen: https://podcast.show/aspencore/episode/96120398/

## Summary

Darrel Kingham, CEO of Cambridge-based startup Pulsiv, explains how their patented power electronics technology eliminates the need for PFC inductors in AC-to-DC conversion, thereby improving efficiency and reducing global energy waste. The technology achieves a flat efficiency profile across variable loads, making it particularly suitable for applications like dimmable LED lighting, data centers, and consumer electronics that spend significant time in standby or low-power modes. Kingham highlights that the solution also eliminates in-rush current, simplifying infrastructure requirements and reducing component costs by allowing designers to use simpler flyback topologies up to 180 watts instead of more complex LLC designs. The company is currently targeting the 250-watt range with reference designs to help manufacturers meet regulations like Energy Star and CEC at the lowest cost, while planning to expand into 600-watt and kilowatt ranges for EV charging using wide bandgap semiconductors.

## Chapters

- [0:04](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ee-times-current/2023-05-02-reducing-energy-consumed-by-household-appliances#t=4) Introduction: Power Up Podcast and Darrel Kingham of Pulsiv
- [2:40](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ee-times-current/2023-05-02-reducing-energy-consumed-by-household-appliances#t=160) Darrel Kingham's Background and Joining Pulsiv
- [4:37](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ee-times-current/2023-05-02-reducing-energy-consumed-by-household-appliances#t=277) Pulsiv Technology: Eliminating PFC Inductors and Energy Waste
- [7:04](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ee-times-current/2023-05-02-reducing-energy-consumed-by-household-appliances#t=424) Target Applications: Variable Loads, Standby Modes, and LED Lighting
- [8:58](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ee-times-current/2023-05-02-reducing-energy-consumed-by-household-appliances#t=538) Scalability: Replacing LLC Topologies with Flyback up to 180 Watts
- [10:45](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ee-times-current/2023-05-02-reducing-energy-consumed-by-household-appliances#t=645) Eliminating In-Rush Current and Infrastructure Benefits
- [13:15](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ee-times-current/2023-05-02-reducing-energy-consumed-by-household-appliances#t=795) Future Roadmap: Wide Bandgap Semiconductors and EV Charging

## Topics

- [Analog & power electronics](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/analog-and-power-electronics)
- [Materials & manufacturing processes](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/materials-and-processes)
- [Pricing, margins & unit economics](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pricing-and-unit-economics)
- [Sustainability & circular products](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sustainability-and-circularity)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Pulsiv (company)
- Darrel Kingham (other)
- Zaki (other)
- Energy Star (other)
- CEC (other)
- flyback (other)
- LLC (other)
- silicon carbide (other)

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- [How IoT Helps Buildings Save Energy | Argentum Electric's Erin Kelly](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/iot-for-all-podcast/2022-03-03-how-iot-helps-buildings-save-energy-argentum-electrics-erin-kelly) (IoT For All Podcast)
- [The Custom Power Chip You Configure Yourself: Power GreenPAK](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ontrack/2026-09-02-the-custom-power-chip-you-configure-yourself-power-greenpak) (OnTrack)
- [The rise of grid power electronics with Drew Baglino](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/catalyst/2026-02-19-the-rise-of-grid-power-electronics-with-drew-baglino) (Catalyst)

## Citing this page

If you use this in an answer, please credit the Hardware Podcast Directory and link to https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ee-times-current/2023-05-02-reducing-energy-consumed-by-household-appliances. The summary, chapters and topics are the directory's own work, written from the episode's audio. The episode itself, its title and its audio belong to EE Times Current.