- #1
rnbd81
- 2
- 0
Hi all
Im currently working on a high power led driver circuit, and at this point I need to test my design. Since leds are expensive (and time consuming to solder together) I am using this relatively simple circuit (http://www.edn.com/article/510832-Accurately_simulate_an_LED.php) as a substitute for real leds. It works great and all, for low power applications, but I need to simulate 700ma @ 336 volts. The only way to get darlington pairs to drop that much voltage across collector to emitter is to connect multiple pairs in parallel. I am currently working with TIP665 devices, see attached screenshot of the schematic.
I have five in parallel right now...initially testing at half power (165 Vce) and trying to run up to about 140 mA thru each one. My problem is that i slowly turn up the 250 ohm pot, and I see the cumulative current in all five branches increase to about 300mA, then at least one of the darlington pairs blows (shorts out), immediately followed by the 2 Watt 1 ohm resistor (which I'm only using to take easy current readings)...my Vbe is around 1 volt (datasheet says 8 max) so that's not the problem...the transistors are supposed to be rated at 150 watts and 400 volts Vce, so they "should" be sturdy of enought to handle the task. Note, I first tested each of the five individually at the same Vce 165 volts and they ran 140 mA for five mins no probs...Just that when they all hook up together...hmmmm
This scenario has occurred twice now, so I am thinking there is one of two problems 1) one or more of the transistors is hogging all the base current, and subsequently blowing... or...2) the transistors simply cannot dissipate the power they claim, and are failing under stress
I can't believe option 2 is correct, since each pair passes the individual test.
P.s. Each of these pairs have heatsinks, mounted in a plastic tray covered in thin plastic liner, and filled with ice...yes ice...there is a lot of wattage going out here hehe
Sooooo...ANy helpful insight Darlington parallel configurations? anyone?
Im currently working on a high power led driver circuit, and at this point I need to test my design. Since leds are expensive (and time consuming to solder together) I am using this relatively simple circuit (http://www.edn.com/article/510832-Accurately_simulate_an_LED.php) as a substitute for real leds. It works great and all, for low power applications, but I need to simulate 700ma @ 336 volts. The only way to get darlington pairs to drop that much voltage across collector to emitter is to connect multiple pairs in parallel. I am currently working with TIP665 devices, see attached screenshot of the schematic.
I have five in parallel right now...initially testing at half power (165 Vce) and trying to run up to about 140 mA thru each one. My problem is that i slowly turn up the 250 ohm pot, and I see the cumulative current in all five branches increase to about 300mA, then at least one of the darlington pairs blows (shorts out), immediately followed by the 2 Watt 1 ohm resistor (which I'm only using to take easy current readings)...my Vbe is around 1 volt (datasheet says 8 max) so that's not the problem...the transistors are supposed to be rated at 150 watts and 400 volts Vce, so they "should" be sturdy of enought to handle the task. Note, I first tested each of the five individually at the same Vce 165 volts and they ran 140 mA for five mins no probs...Just that when they all hook up together...hmmmm
This scenario has occurred twice now, so I am thinking there is one of two problems 1) one or more of the transistors is hogging all the base current, and subsequently blowing... or...2) the transistors simply cannot dissipate the power they claim, and are failing under stress
I can't believe option 2 is correct, since each pair passes the individual test.
P.s. Each of these pairs have heatsinks, mounted in a plastic tray covered in thin plastic liner, and filled with ice...yes ice...there is a lot of wattage going out here hehe
Sooooo...ANy helpful insight Darlington parallel configurations? anyone?