An AC-DC voltage converter includes input terminals with a series circuit connected between the input terminals. The series circuit includes a switching element and a capacitor. The discharge of the capacitor supplies the output voltage of the converter. A control circuit controls the operation of the switching element so that the conducting state of the switching element is controlled exclusively as a function of the input voltage, while the nonconducting state of the switching element is controlled exclusively as a function of the output voltage. The converter has a good dynamic range and allows accurate measurement of current consumption at the output.