<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0206</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2013-04-21</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>1</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001042825</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>POWER ONE INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>PWER</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001091587</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>ABB LTD</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>AFFOLTERNSTRASSE 44, P.O. BOX 1831</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>CH-8050</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>ZURICH, SWITZERLAND</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>V8</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode></rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription>SWITZERLAND</rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>1</isOther>
            <otherText>See Exhibit 99.1</otherText>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <remarks>No securities are beneficially owned. See Exhibit 99.1: Beneficial Ownership</remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Richard A. Brown By: Richard A. Brown</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2013-04-26</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Natascia Rubinic By: Natascia Rubinic</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2013-04-26</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
