Title :
A snubber design tool for p-n junction reverse recovery using a more accurate simulation of the reverse recovery waveform
Author :
Carroll, Eric I. ; Chokhawala, Rahul S.
Author_Institution :
Int. Rectifier Corp., Epinay sur Orge, France
Abstract :
A computer simulation of the reverse-recovery current waveform of a p-n junction undergoing forced commutation is presented. It is found that a far better simulation is obtained by using the sech function to model the recovery current than by using the common exponential function. Published maximum values of recovery current, recovery time, and snap factor can be used to determine the constants of the sech function. The proposed model and predicted junction response are compared with laboratory measurements of devices of various technologies. The application of the simulation to free-wheel diodes and GTO (gate-turn-off) snubber diodes is illustrated.<>
Keywords :
digital simulation; electronic engineering computing; overvoltage protection; p-n junctions; semiconductor diodes; GTO; computer simulation; forced commutation; free-wheel diodes; gate-turn-off; p-n junction reverse recovery; sech function; snap factor; snubber design tool; snubber diodes; Computational modeling; Computer simulation; Current measurement; Equivalent circuits; P-n junctions; Rectifiers; Semiconductor device manufacture; Semiconductor diodes; Snubbers; Voltage;
Conference_Titel :
Industry Applications Society Annual Meeting, 1989., Conference Record of the 1989 IEEE
Conference_Location :
San Diego, CA, USA
DOI :
10.1109/IAS.1989.96813
