Diode question

Holger Barske · 14th October 2002, 12:42 PM

I am looking for a reliable rectifier vor 15V transformer secondary voltage. The load is going to take 20A of current.
I would like to use four MBR2045CT (datasheet), which is a double diode with common cathode. I would like to parallel both halves. Will this work without problems?
---
Thanks, Holger

ashok · 14th October 2002, 02:07 PM

Hi Holger,
You need to be careful about using diodes in parallel. Unless they have the exact same characteristics they will not share the current equally. It would be safer to use higher current diodes . Check it out.
Cheers

subwo1 · 14th October 2002, 02:44 PM

Hi. Even though it is true that due to the negative temperature coeffcient that diodes have they don't share current evenly, they in practice, can come pretty close if their temperatures are close and they are the same diodes, of course. I have done it often. Even if instead of getting a new ratiing of 40 amps you end up with 35 amps, that is still a big increase. The reason it increases is that they still suffer from an increased voltage drop with increasing current. Also, being in the same package will tend to greatly negate the temperature differences between the two diodes.

14th October 2002, 12:42 PM	#1
Holger Barske diyAudio Member Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Ruhrgebiet	Diode question I am looking for a reliable rectifier vor 15V transformer secondary voltage. The load is going to take 20A of current. I would like to use four MBR2045CT (datasheet), which is a double diode with common cathode. I would like to parallel both halves. Will this work without problems? --- Thanks, Holger

14th October 2002, 02:07 PM	#2
ashok diyAudio Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: 3RS	Parallel diodes Hi Holger, You need to be careful about using diodes in parallel. Unless they have the exact same characteristics they will not share the current equally. It would be safer to use higher current diodes . Check it out. Cheers __________________ AM

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14th October 2002, 02:44 PM	#3
subwo1 diyAudio Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: North American Continent	Hi. Even though it is true that due to the negative temperature coeffcient that diodes have they don't share current evenly, they in practice, can come pretty close if their temperatures are close and they are the same diodes, of course. I have done it often. Even if instead of getting a new ratiing of 40 amps you end up with 35 amps, that is still a big increase. The reason it increases is that they still suffer from an increased voltage drop with increasing current. Also, being in the same package will tend to greatly negate the temperature differences between the two diodes.

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