by Crutschow When you parallel a battery with another battery or other source, the batteries are often required to be back charged. This can be done with standard diodes, but that gives close to a half volt drop — even with Schottky diodes. This is especially problematic with low-voltage batteries, where that drop is a […]
Industry Experts
Choosing a reference voltage for an ADC
Analog-to-digital converters (ADCs) need a reference voltage (VREF) input in order to operate properly. ADCs convert analog inputs that can vary from zero volts on up to a maximum voltage level that is called the reference voltage. The reference voltage determines the ceiling of what the ADC can convert, and is essentially the yardstick against […]
Learning SMPS the hard way
By Syed Tahmid Mahbub, EDAboard.com forum member SMPS is the toughest section in power electronics. For this subject, you require additional knowledge for choosing the active and passive parts used in SMPS circuits. The special type of parts often required in power electronics (i.e. for low-frequency applications) may not be suitable in the case of […]
Top power electronics threads on EDAboard.com – August
(editor’s note: Intrigued by these power electronics problems? Have a question or another solution? Then click the “Read more” link and follow the conversation on EDAboard.com or log in to EDAboard and participate in the power electronics forum threads.) Power MOSFET forensics – I need your help to investigate a recent MOSFET death. It was […]
Choosing a reference voltage for an ADC
Analog-to-digital converters (ADCs) need a reference voltage (VREF) input in order to operate properly. ADCs convert analog inputs that can vary from zero volts on up to a maximum voltage level that is called the reference voltage. The reference voltage determines the ceiling of what the ADC can convert, and is essentially the yardstick against […]
Options for current sensing, Part 2
Part 1 of this FAQ discussed the issue of current measurement, and four transducers which can be used to measure current. The first two – shunt resistors and Hall-effect devices – can be used for AC or DC currents. We will now look at two other transducers – the Rogowski coil and the current transformer […]
Options for current sensing, Part 1
The need to sense and measure current at one or more points is a circuit is very common. In situations ranging from microamps going into or out of a battery, to DC current from a solar panel, to feedback for a power supply controller, to tens or hundreds of amps of AC power to a […]
What is leakage current?
Leakage current flows unexpectedly in almost all circuits, even when the power is off. Current leakage is not limited to electronics, computers, or small signal circuits, and can be found in industrial equipment and three-phase wiring installations, too. Some current will always find a path to ground whether it’s through ground-conducting insulation that’s supposed to […]
Passive cooling options and considerations (Part 1)
Keeping components and systems cool enough and within their safe temperature zone is a concern for many, though not all, designers and projects. Excessive heat as measured by temperature can cause erratic behavior, inaccuracy and drift due to temperature coefficient-induced shifts, shortened component lifetime, and even outright failure. Q: What are the cooling options? The […]
Reverse polarity protection: how can you provide it?
The reverse connection of a circuit to its DC power source, whether it’s a battery or power supply, can damage and even destroy the electronics. For this reason, many connectors are “keyed” to ensure correct connection. But there are many connections which are directly hard-wired using wires inserted into screw terminals, or ring or spade […]
