Power Diodes

Chapter No. 2

Power Diode
Role in Power Electronics
Uncontrolled Rectifiers
AC to fixed DC voltages

Freewheeling Diode
To provide a path for the current in
inductive loads

The PN junction Diode

Power diodes- Silicon/Germanium
Silicon diodes
Operate at higher currents
Higher junction temperature
Greater reverse resistance

Forward bias
Reverse bias

Zero Bias Condition

Forward Biased

Reverse Biased

VI characteristics of Diode

Schottky Diode
Low-voltage, high speed device
A thin metal is interfaced with N-type
semiconductor
Metal- chromium, platinum, or tungsten
Low on state voltage
Turn off much faster
Higher reverse leakage current
Reverse breakdown voltage is lower

Example
A Schottky diode rated at 40V and
25A has an on-state voltage of 0.5V
and a reverse leakage current of
50nA. Find the on-state and off-state
power loss at rated conditions.
On-state power loss = ID * Von =
12.5W
Off-state power loss = Ileakage * Vs =
2W

Example
Find power losses for a PN junction diode
rated at 40V and 25A, with an on-state
voltage of 1.1V and a reverse leakage
current of 0.5nA.
On-state power loss = ID * VD(on) = 27.5W
Off-state power loss = Ileakage * Vs = 0.02W
(The on-state power loss of Schottky
diode is less than half that of a PN junction
diode)

Diode Rating
Peak Inverse Voltage (PIV, PRV, V(BR))
Maximum reverse voltage that can be connected across
diode without breakdown
Ranges from tens of volts to several thousands

Maximum Average Forward Current (If(avg)max)

Ratings from few amperes to several hundred amperes

Maximum Junction Temperature (Tj(max))

Max temperature diode can withstand without failure
-40oC to +200oC

Maximum Surge Current (IFSM)

Max current diode can handle as an occasional transient or
from a circuit fault

Reverse Recovery Time (trr)

No instantaneous
switching (on off)
Reverse current flows
Time during which reverse
current flows is reverse
recovery time
Charge carriers are
removed
Fast recovery, slow
recovery
Few microseconds to
several hundred
nanoseconds

Diode Protection
Overvoltage
If reverse voltage exceeds breakover voltage,
diode breaks down
Large current, power dissipation . Destroy
diode
PIV rating is 1.2 times higher than normal rating

Overcurrent
Current rating based on max junction
temperature produced by junction losses
Fuse to ensure current protection

Diode Protection
Transients
Leads to higher-than-normal voltages
across diode
Snubber circuits for protection
RC series circuit
Snubs the rate of change of voltage

Testing a Diode

Ohmmeter
Forward biased: low resistance
Reverse biased: high resistance
Open diode
Shorted diode

Diode Circuit Analysis

Diodes in DC circuit
State of diode must be found (on or off)
Diode is replaced by switch-equivalent
circuit
Helpful to replace diode mentally with a
resistive element and note resulting
current direction

Diode Circuit Analysis

Diodes in AC circuits
Voltage varies
Circuit analysis can be done separately
for positive and negative half-cycles
Diodes can be replaced with switchequivalent circuits accordingly

Diode Losses
PT= PON + POFF + PSW
POFF = VR * IR t*(OFF )
t

PON = VF* IF * d
1
PSW = 6 *VR (max) * I F (max) *[tF (ON ) tR (OFF ) ]* f

Power Rating and Manufacturing

Parameters

Power Ratings

Series and Parallel Operation of

Diodes
Maximum power diode can handle:
Rated Reverse Voltage
Rated Forward Current

Diode with insufficient power

handling capability
Connected in series to increase voltage
rating
Connected in parallel to increase current
rating

Series Connection of Diodes

In high-voltage application:
Insufficient reverse voltage rating

Series connection of two or diodes to

increase voltage rating
Problem: Reverse voltage may not be
equally divided
Diode with lower Ileak can have excessive
reverse voltage

Series Connection of Diode

Forced Voltage Sharing

Voltage-sharing resistors
Resistors must conduct greater
current than leakage current of
diodes
Resistors will consume power during
reverse-bias
It is important to use high value
resistors

Protection against Voltage Transient

There can be excessive reverse
voltage due to different reverse
recovery times
A capacitor connected in parallel with
each diode will protect the diode
from voltage transients

Forced Voltage Sharing

Voltage-Sharing Resistor
VD1
VD 2
Is
I D1
I D2
R
R

VD1 VD 2
R
I D 2 I D1

PR I

2
R1

*R I

2
R2

*R

Example
Two diodes with voltage
ratings of 800V and reverse
leakage currents of 1mA are
connected in series across an
AC source whose peak value
is Vs(max)= 980V. The reverse
characteristics are shown in
the figure. Determine:
Reverse voltage across each
diode
The value of the voltagesharing resistor, so that the
voltage across any diode is no
more than 55% of Vs(max)
Total source current and power
loss in resistors

Parallel Connections of
Diodes
Load current is greater than current
rating of single diode
Diodes can be connected in parallel
To achieve higher forward current rating

Diodes do not share current equally

Due to difference in forward-bias
characteristics

Diode with lowest forward voltage

drop will try to carry larger current
and overheat

Parallel Connection of
Diodes

Forced Current Sharing

By connecting a very small resistance in
series with each diode
Current-sharing resistor establishes
values of ID1 and ID2 nearly equal
Drawbacks:
Power loss in the resistors in very high
An increase in voltage across the combination

Unless absolutely necessary parallel

arrangement must be avoided

Current-Sharing Resistor

Current-Sharing Resistor
V VD1 I D1 * R VD 2 I D 2 * R
VD 2 VD1
R
I D1 I D 2

PR I

2
D1

*R I

2
D2

*R

Example
Two diodes having the
characteristics as shown in
the figure are connected in
parallel. The total current
through diodes is 50A.
Determine:
The resistance of currentsharing resistor, so that the
current through any diode is
no more than 55% of I
Total power loss in the
resistors
Voltage drop across the
diode combination (V)