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[AMPS] Diodes

To: <amps@contesting.com>
Subject: [AMPS] Diodes
From: 2@vc.net (measures)
Date: Wed, 23 Feb 2000 15:09:49 -0700
>
>Rich Measures wrote:
>>>
......
>>Your position appears to be 
>>'not necessary.    The p.11-9 Handbook statement goes one step beyond 
>>saying not necessary".  It  says "damaging current".  In other words, if 
>>the diodes are perfectly matched, equalizers are not necessary.  However, 
>>if the diodes are not perfectly matched in piv, 
>
>  AND IF there are too few diodes in the string (a design fault) 
>  AND IF (in spite of the equalization of inverse voltages) one diode is 
>         still pushed into breakdown THEN

In the example given the total piv was 291v.  The surge was 250v.  No 
problem occurred without ''equalization''.  .  
>
>>"damaging current" can be 
>>produced by the equalizer itself. .  
>
>That's a lot of IFs, so I don't think the case against equalizers is
>totally damning. That's why I stick at "not necessary."

alas
>
>I don't use equalizers in any new power supply, but I do take care to
>use more and better matched diodes - so we agree on that much, Rich. 

Indeed, Ian.  And do you measure the avalance potential of each unit?

>On the other hand, I won't tear the equalizers out of existing power
>supplies that have proved reliable.
>
If you have 4x as much piv as needed, it should play ok..  
>
cheers, Ian

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