An 
electric arc welder with a variable AC 
voltage input of up to 600 VAC and a 
rectifier to provide a DC link, a driven 
high frequency boost stage with first and second leads connected to the DC link. The boost stage comprises an 
inductor, a first series output 
branch with a first primary winding connected to the first lead and a first 
capacitor connected to the second lead, a second series output 
branch with a second primary winding connected to the second lead and a second 
capacitor connected to the first lead and a 
high frequency operated switch between the leads and having an opened condition charging said capacitors by current through the primary windings in a first direction and discharging the 
inductor and a closed condition charging the 
inductor through the primary windings by current in a second direction and discharging the inductor to charge the capacitors. The switch is operated by a 
power factor control circuit at a frequency greater than about 18 kHz. The boost stage has an AC output stage comprising the secondary winding network of a 
transformer powered by current flow in the first and second primary windings. An output 
rectifier converts said AC output to a first 
DC voltage. At the final portion of the welder an output converter converts the first 
DC voltage to a second 
DC voltage connected across the arc of a 
welding station and having a controlled weld current or 
voltage.