> Just come across some linear voltage regulators
> from ST Microelectronics called VB408 and VB409.
> They have a high input voltage range (400 and 580V),
> so they can be connected directly to rectified 110
> or 220 V mains. They deliver a max of 40 or 80mA, so
> could easily feed a simple PIC circuit.
>
> ...
>
> Now, anyone looked at these ? Or any similar mains
> connected volt regulator ? Could be an alternative
> to the usual "cap-voltage-divider" used in low power
> mains connected microcontroller circuits maybe ?

Note that 40mA from 400V is 16 watts.  That's a lot of heat just to run a
PIC off the power line.


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