Overshoot problem of the output diode used in the pre-charger for the railway propulsion system

Pre-charger is a specific DC-DC converter application in the railway propulsion system. This study demonstrates the possible causes for output diode failures in the pre-charger. Overshoot voltage during diode reverse-recovery is a main reason for such failure. A test set-up is proposed to study the influence of reverse bias on the overshoot voltage. The method to mitigate the contact bounce in the control circuit, in the test set-up, is also introduced. The relationship between the overshoot and reverse bias is studied by means of applying different reverse biases. The parasitic capacitance and reverse-recovery characteristic of the diode is changed by the exceeding reverse bias. Reverse-recovery time is reduced when the reverse voltage is beyond a critical level. To overcome the overshoot problem, a snubber is applied, and experimentally verified. Overvoltage is dramatically reduced by applying this snubber. Current and voltage waveforms in different branches are recorded so as to give a better understanding of the working mechanism of the snubber.