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Re: [Amps] HV Supplies and Diodes

To: <amps@contesting.com>
Subject: Re: [Amps] HV Supplies and Diodes
From: "Roger" <sub1@rogerhalstead.com>
Date: Wed, 2 Jan 2008 21:20:10 -0500
List-post: <mailto:amps@contesting.com>


>I find it a bit strange and somewhat comical that the only ones that appear
> to champion resistors and capacitors across any series string of 1N540x
> diodes is the amateur community.
>
> Not one manufacturers application notes mention them.
>
> No industrial product that Im aware uses them.
>
> The one ham amp manufacturer mentioned has a reputation of power supply
> problems.
>
> Most of us realize that the diodes of the 60's had problems but is there 
> any
> reason to continue it almost a half century later?
>
> Fact or mythology?

Neither. It's History and background. Most of the current crop of hams have 
been around long enough that's "the way things were" and unless a person 
keeps current they will still tend to think in the way they were taught. 
Early on we might build a PS.  The last one I built was close to 30 years 
ago when diode strings were big stacks of diodes, resistors, and caps as 
were the "potted" commercial replacements for vacuum tube rectifiers. I 
think you will find well over half the hams around now still think in the 
same terms. Also take a look at the diode stacks on all but the more recent 
amps you are likely to find in most stations.  The only amp I own that is 
less than 20 years old is my new solid state Tokyo Hy-Power HL1.5Kfx. 
That's why I deferred my comments to the "Handbook". IOW, check the 
"Handbook" for proper design.


Roger (K8RI)


>
> Carl
> KM1H
>
>
>
>
>
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Jim Tonne" <tonne@comcast.net>
> To: "Dennis W0JX" <w0jx@yahoo.com>; <amps@contesting.com>
> Sent: Wednesday, January 02, 2008 2:20 PM
> Subject: Re: [Amps] HV Supplies and Diodes
>
>
>>
>> When a string of series-connected diodes is reverse-biased
>> (during part of the cycle), the voltage drop across one is
>> proportional to its leakage resistance.  If the junction of the
>> diode type has significant capacitance, then that enters into
>> the picture too.
>>
>> If you use, in parallel with each diode, a resistor whose value
>> is a fraction of the leakage resistance, then those resistors will
>> swamp the leakage and so tend to equalize the voltage drop
>> across each diode in a string.
>>
>> If you use, in parallel with each diode, a capacitor whose
>> value is several times that of the junction, then those capacitors
>> will swamp the junctions and again tend to equalize the voltage
>> drop across each diode in a string.
>>
>> During the forward-conduction part of the cycle of course
>> we have no problems with any of the above.
>>
>> I am not familiar with the rules on avalanche diodes.
>>
>> - Jim WB6BLD
>>
>>
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>
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