Inrush-current limiter for switching regulator power supply

A DC voltage power supply including circuitry for suppressing turn-on transients to limit inrush current to a substantially uncharged capacitive load, comprising:

• a rectifier for providing a source of DC potential from a source of AC input voltage,
• means for providing a point of reference potential derived from said source of DC potential,
• means for coupling said capacitive load to said source of DC potential,
• DC voltage regulator means coupled in parallel relationship with said capacitive load and responsive to an inhibit signal for inhibiting or enabling operation of said regulator means,
• inrush current suppression means having a relatively high impedance and a main current conduction path in series relationship with said soure of DC potential and said capacitive load, wherein said impedance limits the magnitude of current supplied to said capacitive load, and
• control means responsive to said reference potential, said control means being coupled in parallel relationship with said capacitive load and responsive to a potential developed across said inrush current suppression means attaining a predetermined value with respect to said reference potential, whereupon said control means provides a trigger signal, said control means further comprising:
• switching means having a first current path coupled in parallel with said current suppression means and a second current path coupled to activate said regulator means, said switching means being responsive to said trigger signal to provide, when activated, a low impedance shunt path across said current suppression means and to enable said regulator means, and when deactivated to disable said regulator means and apply said inrush current suppression means in said series relationship with said capacitive load.