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Re: [Amps] 160m mosfet linear amplifier problem with ferrite cores

To: "sasas asasas" <tzitzikas_ee@yahoo.com>, <amps@contesting.com>
Subject: Re: [Amps] 160m mosfet linear amplifier problem with ferrite cores
From: "David Cutter" <d.cutter@ntlworld.com>
Date: Sun, 18 Apr 2010 11:50:21 +0100
List-post: <amps@contesting.com">mailto:amps@contesting.com>
I see you are using hex socket screws.  It is very easy to over-tighten screws 
to fix plastic devices to a heatsink, I've seen them crack after a little time 
in the field due to expansion and contraction against an over-tight fixing.  
The crack can be invisible to the naked eye initially but causes failure of the 
device.  Mounting torque is 1.13Nm which is quite low.  

The mounting tab is the drain and you could look at the heatsink isolation. Is 
there an isolation insulator under each device or is the whole heatsink 
isolated?   

I could be drifting off the subject, but fixing small errors can often chase 
away the big ones.

David
G3UNA

  
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: sasas asasas 
  To: amps@contesting.com ; David Cutter 
  Sent: Sunday, April 18, 2010 10:41 AM
  Subject: Re: [Amps] 160m mosfet linear amplifier problem with ferrite cores


        Some additional photos from my linear:

        http://tzitzikas.webs.com/fet20.JPG
        http://tzitzikas.webs.com/linear20.JPG
        http://tzitzikas.webs.com/linear21.JPG
        http://tzitzikas.webs.com/linear22.JPG
        http://tzitzikas.webs.com/fet21.JPG
        http://tzitzikas.webs.com/pompos20.JPG


        --- On Sun, 4/18/10, David Cutter <d.cutter@ntlworld.com> wrote:


          From: David Cutter <d.cutter@ntlworld.com>
          Subject: Re: [Amps] 160m mosfet linear amplifier problem with ferrite 
cores
          To: "sasas asasas" <tzitzikas_ee@yahoo.com>, amps@contesting.com
          Date: Sunday, April 18, 2010, 2:35 AM


          I've looked again at the jpg and I think you have used trifilar 
windings, so, that's my first idea more or less gone.  Imbalance can be due to 
poor coupling between the windings themselves or imbalance in the driving 
currents.  With high voltage supplies, balance error should be small (compared 
to say a 12V amplifier where a small difference in voltages can show a large 
imbalance %).  If you could measure the current in each half of the primary 
that would tell you the whole story: you will need a HF current probe, 
preferably 2 probes and dual trace scope which will also tell you about 
cross-conduction.  

          Another thought: you have 6 transistors in parallel in each half and 
emitter (sorry - source) degeneration.  Did you try matching the FETs for gain 
or phase delay?  If not, it's conceivable that one side is conducting harder or 
for longer than the other side and causing an imbalance.  I don't know if the 
source resistor is the optimum value for mis-matched FETs, but a higher value 
would increase negative feedback and help with this; you have oodles of gain to 
sacrifice.  Along the same lines, the input drive to each FET may need 
optimising for the same reason.  Check all your resistor values, one might be a 
dud.

          This is all armchair speculation, I don't have enough experience for 
better detail.  Someone with modelling experience could probably do this quite 
quickly.  

          Alex has probably got the answer regarding core material.  

          David
          G3UNA
            ----- Original 

                  And how can i repair this problem???





                    You might consider imbalance in each side of the primary 
which will cause a net dc to pass, saturation and over-heating.  This may be 
rubbish but it could get others thinking along a different path.

                    David
                    G3UNA


                    > HI. i have constructed this linear amplifier 500w rms 
(2kw pep) (50ohm) with 12 mosfet irfp360, 
http://tzitzikas.webs.com/linear500w.jpg for 160m band.
                    > When i gave 3watts of driving r.f power, it gave to 
output only 190w at 106VDC (6A current). Two radio amateurs who have construct 
this linear claim tha it gives 500w
                    > r.f power at 110vdc.
                    > But when i tried to give 4watts of driving r.f power the 
ferrite Cores (43 material)
                    > of transformer T3 broken! Which do you think is the 
problem??
                    > 
                 

       

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