ISSN:
1662-9752
Source:
Scientific.Net: Materials Science & Technology / Trans Tech Publications Archiv 1984-2008
Topics:
Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, Production Engineering, Mining and Metallurgy, Traffic Engineering, Precision Mechanics
Notes:
Zener diodes are widely used in electrical barriers to protect equipment operating in apotentially explosive atmosphere. Although normally not conducting, the zeners must have a highpower rating so that their junction temperature meets safety factors when shunting the maximumfuse current. This often requires two or three lower voltage commercial zeners connected in series.Silicon carbide diodes have much higher thermal conductivity and maximum allowed junctiontemperature, so it should be possible to use one SiC zener in the place of two or three commercialdiodes and/or allow use of higher fuse ratings. Low voltage SiC Zener diodes were fabricated andtested to evaluate potential benefits of their application as a component of intrinsically safe barriers.The diodes demonstrated mixed avalanche-tunnel breakdown at reverse bias voltages of 23 V withpositive temperature coefficients of breakdown voltages of about 0.4 mV/°C. The diodes with mesaarea of 4×10-4cm2 had maximum DC Zener current of 1.2 A and were capable of operating atambient temperatures up to 500°C
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://www.tib-hannover.de/fulltexts/2011/0528/02/17/transtech_doi~10.4028%252Fwww.scientific.net%252FMSF.556-557.937.pdf
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