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Re: [Amps] caps across rectifier diodes

To: Doug Renwick <ve5ra@sasktel.net>
Subject: Re: [Amps] caps across rectifier diodes
From: Vic K2VCO <vic@rakefet.com>
Date: Tue, 03 Mar 2009 08:35:35 -0800
List-post: <amps@contesting.com">mailto:amps@contesting.com>
Doug Renwick wrote:
> Sorry? ... on the contrary.
> I believe the answer from the archives is "capacitors prevent RF from
> being rectified in the diodes, and generating harmonics."

Here's the complete explanation in that thread from W8JI, who designed the 
AL80A and the 
SB-1000 (which I have and which has capacitors across 1N5408's):

--------------------------------------
"1.) The diode is a non-linear component with different recovery times. Let's 
picture one 
diode in the string having much faster recovery time. This goes hand in hand 
with that 
diode having less voltage breakdown. Slowing the rise time of voltage across 
that diode 
(by having the capacitors reactance be much less than the diodes impedance near 
breakdown) 
prevents one FASTER diode from taking a big hit in voltage cycle after cycle.

2.) When the diodes do switch, the waveform is not a sine wave. Being 
non-sinusoidal means 
the waveform contains harmonics. These harmonics can be heard in receivers, and 
most ham 
stations have receivers. Even if the PA does not have to pass CE tests for 
powerline 
conducted EMI, why risk generating trash that can affect the receiver?

3.) Bypassing is almost always often less than perfect in high power PA's. 
Capacitors 
prevent RF from being rectified in the diodes, and generating harmonics."
-----------------------------------------

-- 
73,
Vic, K2VCO
Fresno CA
http://www.qsl.net/k2vco
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