Hi,

>I also have a similar question for the SMPS guru's. I've
>been asked to re-think a design where a PIC get its power
>from a 100V-150V DC line. How the hell does one drop
>around 90V DC without creating an oven? I don't want to
>use light bulbs as it is a potentially dangerous device.

Shouldn't be a big problem nowadays. There are lot's of
nice switching devices available today which are quite
easy to implement. Take a look at the Power Integrations
website at : http://www.powerint.com
They have the three terminal TOPswitch devices and offer
very good design support for starters.

Also SGS Thomson have just released some minimum component
count small SMPS IC's. Check out http://www.st.com

What you need is a buck or flyback step down converter
depending on wheter you need isolation or not.

Bye,

Daniel...