An AC-DC converter, comprises: a first capacitor and a second capacitor; and a rectifier circuit connected to the first and second capacitor and operative to charge both the first and the second capacitor and to discharge the first capacitor independently of the second capacitor. The AC-DC converter circuit provides a rectified output voltage, and a duration of time that a current is drawn from the second capacitor is less than approximately 25% of a period of the rectified output voltage.