A power supply system and corresponding methodology is provided for
providing a self-protected power supply for use with electronic
electricity meters. The self-protecting features are provided, in part,
through the use of surface mounted resistive components corresponding to
a resistor dropper portion of the power supply. The use of surface mount
components also provides a general reduction in circuit board surface
area requirements thereby providing a compact overall construction and
provides economies with respect to reduction in manufacturing process
steps. When the surface mount resistor divider is configured along with a
half-wave rectifier, a low voltage DC supply is obtained from a direct
connection to a much higher voltage AC mains source without requiring the
use of coupling capacitors or transformers. Plural output voltages may be
provided and capacitive filtering may be associated with the outputs. The
use of a surface mount resistor divider in combination with surge
protection elements helps to distribute any power surge over the power
supply, which facilitates the use of less robust surge protection devices
to achieve desired levels of protection.