Zener Diode Selection For Faster Inductor Reset in Solenoid Circuits

Focus:

A previous article discussed how use of a Zener diode in series with the recuperating diode speeds up operation of a solenoid driver circuit. That article demonstrated that adding a voltage-dropping component in the path of the inductor core’s magnetic state recuperating current can shorten the core’s magnetic state recuperation process by means of stored energy dissipation, which might also be beneficial in power circuits that use energy storing inductors. This article continues the discussion by offering an analysis of the dissipation of energy stored in the inductor’s magnetic core and how the Zener diode shortens the magnetic core recuperation process. The purpose here is to provide formulas and plots that facilitate the Zener diode selection necessary for reducing the energy dissipation time by a user-defined factor.

What you’ll learn:

• How to calculate the Zener diode voltage required to shorten the core recuperation time in a solenoid or other energy-storing inductor
• How to calculate inductor core reset time in a solenoid circuit
• How to speed reset of the inductor core in a solenoid circuit

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Author & Publication:

Gregory Mirsky, Design Engineer, Deer Park, Ill. , How2Power Today, Aug 15 2021

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