a method and apparatus for providing welding type power is disclosed . the power source is capable of receiving any input voltage over a wide range of input voltages and includes an input rectifier that rectifies the ac input into a dc signal . a dc voltage stage converts the dc signal to a desired dc voltage and an inverter inverts the dc signal into a second ac signal . an output transformer receives the second ac signal and provides a third ac signal that has a current magnitude suitable for welding , cutting or induction heating . the welding type current may be rectified and smoothed by an output inductor and an output rectifier . a controller provides control signals to the inverter and a controller power supply can also receive a range of input voltages and provide a control power signal to the controller , and a voltage independent of the input voltage .