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#125: Improve Power Converter Reliability Using Hiccup-Mode Current Limiting

Overview: Switch-mode power supplies employ various schemes to protect themselves, and ideally the load, in overload conditions. Depending on whether the power converter automatically recovers and reverts back to normal operation once the overload condition is removed, overload protection schemes can be broadly classified into two categories: non-recoverable protection schemes (fuses, circuit breakers, overload shutdowns) and self-recoverable protection schemes (cycle-by-cycle current limiting and hiccup mode). The choice of protection scheme depends on the cost, complexity, and applicable safety standards. Non-recoverable schemes, such as the use of fuses, are popular in front-end off-line power conversion, and self-recoverable protection schemes are used typically in back-end DC-DC converters. Oftentimes, both of these types of schemes are implemented together to provide additional redundancy. Non-recoverable schemes are outside the purview of this article. Among self-recoverable protection schemes, cycle-by-cycle current limiting delivers maximum load current into the short circuit, thereby creating a thermal management problem. This complicates component and heat sink selection and if the components are not oversized, it can reduce the reliability of the system. Hiccup-mode protection solves the thermal management dilemma, and therefore improves system reliability and simplifies component selection.

 

Power Designer
Published every other month, Power Designer's feature articles cover power design techniques.

 

Publication PDF
#125: Improve Power Converter Reliability Using Hiccup-Mode Current Limiting 446KB
#124: Isolated Supply Overview and Design Trade-Offs 685KB
#123: Voltage Reference Selection Basics 297KB
#122: Optimizing Power Controller Designs through Effective Utilization of Performance Features 329KB
#121: Power Supply Design Considerations for Modern FPGAs 390KB
#120: Calculating Losses and Junction Temperature for High-Power-Density Switching Converters 341KB
#119: Color-Management LED Drivers Have a Bright Future 478KB
#118: Saving Energy via Smart Power Management 389KB
#117: Overcoming Challenges in Designing Step-Down Regulator Applications with ≥40V Input Voltage 535KB
#116: Driving LEDs: To Cap or Not to Cap

507KB

#115: Implementing Single-Chip FPGA Power Solutions 470KB
#114: Best Layout Practices for Switching Power Supplies 476KB
#113: Optimizing Efficiency in White LED Backlight Applications 537KB
#112: Synchronous Rectification in High–Performance Power Converter Design 527KB
#111: Buck Regulator Topologies for Wide Input/Output Voltage Differentials 1.0MB
#110: Optimizing RF Power Amplifier System Efficiency Using DC-DC Converters 530KB
#109: Advanced Topics in Powering FPGAs 1.1MB
#108: Operation and Benefits of Active-Clamp Forward Power Converters 503KB
#107: Analyzing Power Modules 2.3MB
#106: Inside Current-Mode Control 376KB
#105: Power Management Design for Applications Processors 1.3MB
#104: Power Supply Design for Power-over-Ethernet Applications 1.8MB
#103: Understanding Portable Applications Requirements 429KB
#102: Power Management Considerations for FPGAs and ASICs 711KB
#101: Feedback Techniques for Crossing the Isolation Boundary 490KB


Also see Signal Path Designer for expert tips, tricks, and techniques for designers of signal-path applications.

 

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See all new power solutions.

 

 

Power Application Notes
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  • AN-1736 LM3433 HB LED Driver Evaluation Kit
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Power Evaluation Boards
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