• clamp diodes

    From john larkin@21:1/5 to All on Tue Feb 27 13:50:41 2024
    Assume we have a 1-ohm 2512 current shunt resistor that we don't want
    to fry. My thought is to put a pair of big diodes across it to limit
    the current. The associated ADC will be maybe +-250 mV full scale, so
    we don't want the diodes to conduct much current there.

    A 3 amp PN power diode might work, maybe starting from 0.6v at 1 mA
    and declining 60 mV per decade of current. A pair of TVS zeners, used
    in their forward directions might work; we have lots of them in stock.

    So, I wonder if some doping magic makes a zener diode have higher
    forward drop if it's a higher voltage zener?

    Easier to ask than to pull a bunch of parts from stock and test them.
    I'm feeling lazy today.

    A shorted bridge rectifier would give me two diode drops. The ones in
    stock are gigantic.

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  • From Phil Hobbs@21:1/5 to john larkin on Wed Feb 28 02:13:04 2024
    john larkin <jl@650pot.com> wrote:
    Assume we have a 1-ohm 2512 current shunt resistor that we don't want
    to fry. My thought is to put a pair of big diodes across it to limit
    the current. The associated ADC will be maybe +-250 mV full scale, so
    we don't want the diodes to conduct much current there.

    A 3 amp PN power diode might work, maybe starting from 0.6v at 1 mA
    and declining 60 mV per decade of current. A pair of TVS zeners, used
    in their forward directions might work; we have lots of them in stock.

    So, I wonder if some doping magic makes a zener diode have higher
    forward drop if it's a higher voltage zener?

    Easier to ask than to pull a bunch of parts from stock and test them.
    I'm feeling lazy today.

    A shorted bridge rectifier would give me two diode drops. The ones in
    stock are gigantic.



    Depending on the accuracy required, you might want either a pair of antiparallel PN diodes, or else a bridge with a little bit of bias applied
    to keep the diodes back-biased.

    Cheers

    Phil Hobbs

    --
    Dr Philip C D Hobbs Principal Consultant ElectroOptical Innovations LLC / Hobbs ElectroOptics Optics, Electro-optics, Photonics, Analog Electronics

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  • From John Larkin@21:1/5 to pcdhSpamMeSenseless@electrooptical. on Tue Feb 27 19:08:03 2024
    On Wed, 28 Feb 2024 02:13:04 -0000 (UTC), Phil Hobbs <pcdhSpamMeSenseless@electrooptical.net> wrote:

    john larkin <jl@650pot.com> wrote:
    Assume we have a 1-ohm 2512 current shunt resistor that we don't want
    to fry. My thought is to put a pair of big diodes across it to limit
    the current. The associated ADC will be maybe +-250 mV full scale, so
    we don't want the diodes to conduct much current there.

    A 3 amp PN power diode might work, maybe starting from 0.6v at 1 mA
    and declining 60 mV per decade of current. A pair of TVS zeners, used
    in their forward directions might work; we have lots of them in stock.

    So, I wonder if some doping magic makes a zener diode have higher
    forward drop if it's a higher voltage zener?

    Easier to ask than to pull a bunch of parts from stock and test them.
    I'm feeling lazy today.

    A shorted bridge rectifier would give me two diode drops. The ones in
    stock are gigantic.



    Depending on the accuracy required, you might want either a pair of >antiparallel PN diodes, or else a bridge with a little bit of bias applied >to keep the diodes back-biased.

    Cheers

    Phil Hobbs

    The other option is to put a polyfuse in series with the resistor. I'd
    have to test that to make sure the poly opens before the resistor
    does.

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  • From John Larkin@21:1/5 to All on Tue Feb 27 19:15:48 2024
    On Tue, 27 Feb 2024 19:08:03 -0800, John Larkin <jl@997PotHill.com>
    wrote:

    On Wed, 28 Feb 2024 02:13:04 -0000 (UTC), Phil Hobbs ><pcdhSpamMeSenseless@electrooptical.net> wrote:

    john larkin <jl@650pot.com> wrote:
    Assume we have a 1-ohm 2512 current shunt resistor that we don't want
    to fry. My thought is to put a pair of big diodes across it to limit
    the current. The associated ADC will be maybe +-250 mV full scale, so
    we don't want the diodes to conduct much current there.

    A 3 amp PN power diode might work, maybe starting from 0.6v at 1 mA
    and declining 60 mV per decade of current. A pair of TVS zeners, used
    in their forward directions might work; we have lots of them in stock.

    So, I wonder if some doping magic makes a zener diode have higher
    forward drop if it's a higher voltage zener?

    Easier to ask than to pull a bunch of parts from stock and test them.
    I'm feeling lazy today.

    A shorted bridge rectifier would give me two diode drops. The ones in
    stock are gigantic.



    Depending on the accuracy required, you might want either a pair of >>antiparallel PN diodes, or else a bridge with a little bit of bias applied >>to keep the diodes back-biased.

    Cheers

    Phil Hobbs

    The other option is to put a polyfuse in series with the resistor. I'd
    have to test that to make sure the poly opens before the resistor
    does.

    Here's the polyfuse version.

    https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/iwwe4v4zylzf9j826no8f/23S948A3sh9.pdf?rlkey=7d9qg1jc8gr69gil0zxymvkyc&dl=0

    Maybe I could use a wirewound resistor. A thick-film might vaporize
    before the poly opens.

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  • From Mike Monett VE3BTI@21:1/5 to Phil Hobbs on Wed Feb 28 06:41:21 2024
    Phil Hobbs <pcdhSpamMeSenseless@electrooptical.net> wrote:

    john larkin <jl@650pot.com> wrote:
    Assume we have a 1-ohm 2512 current shunt resistor that we don't want
    to fry. My thought is to put a pair of big diodes across it to limit
    the current. The associated ADC will be maybe +-250 mV full scale, so
    we don't want the diodes to conduct much current there.

    A 3 amp PN power diode might work, maybe starting from 0.6v at 1 mA
    and declining 60 mV per decade of current. A pair of TVS zeners, used
    in their forward directions might work; we have lots of them in stock.

    So, I wonder if some doping magic makes a zener diode have higher
    forward drop if it's a higher voltage zener?

    Easier to ask than to pull a bunch of parts from stock and test them.
    I'm feeling lazy today.

    A shorted bridge rectifier would give me two diode drops. The ones in
    stock are gigantic.



    Depending on the accuracy required, you might want either a pair of antiparallel PN diodes, or else a bridge with a little bit of bias
    applied
    to keep the diodes back-biased.

    Cheers

    Phil Hobbs

    Put two antiparallel Schotky diodes in series across the shunt, four altogether. That also reduces your anode-cathode capacitance and improves
    high frequency response.



    --
    MRM

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  • From piglet@21:1/5 to spamme@not.com on Wed Feb 28 11:58:40 2024
    Mike Monett VE3BTI <spamme@not.com> wrote:
    Phil Hobbs <pcdhSpamMeSenseless@electrooptical.net> wrote:

    john larkin <jl@650pot.com> wrote:
    Assume we have a 1-ohm 2512 current shunt resistor that we don't want
    to fry. My thought is to put a pair of big diodes across it to limit
    the current. The associated ADC will be maybe +-250 mV full scale, so
    we don't want the diodes to conduct much current there.

    A 3 amp PN power diode might work, maybe starting from 0.6v at 1 mA
    and declining 60 mV per decade of current. A pair of TVS zeners, used
    in their forward directions might work; we have lots of them in stock.

    So, I wonder if some doping magic makes a zener diode have higher
    forward drop if it's a higher voltage zener?

    Easier to ask than to pull a bunch of parts from stock and test them.
    I'm feeling lazy today.

    A shorted bridge rectifier would give me two diode drops. The ones in
    stock are gigantic.



    Depending on the accuracy required, you might want either a pair of
    antiparallel PN diodes, or else a bridge with a little bit of bias
    applied
    to keep the diodes back-biased.

    Cheers

    Phil Hobbs

    Put two antiparallel Schotky diodes in series across the shunt, four altogether. That also reduces your anode-cathode capacitance and improves high frequency response.




    Or perhaps BJT wired as transdiode (E to C+B) should have low leakage at
    low voltage? Two inverse parallel for both directions.


    --
    piglet

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  • From Mike Monett VE3BTI@21:1/5 to piglet on Thu Feb 29 19:16:12 2024
    piglet <erichpwagner@hotmail.com> wrote:

    Or perhaps BJT wired as transdiode (E to C+B) should have low leakage at
    low voltage? Two inverse parallel for both directions.


    --
    piglet

    How would that be any different than having two forward-biased diodes in parallel? Except the current would be limited to the maximum base current.

    How would it reduce the leakage at low voltages?



    --
    MRM

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
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  • From john larkin@21:1/5 to All on Thu Feb 29 12:59:36 2024
    On Thu, 29 Feb 2024 21:41:57 +0100, Lasse Langwadt <llc@fonz.dk>
    wrote:

    On 2/28/24 12:58, piglet wrote:
    Mike Monett VE3BTI <spamme@not.com> wrote:
    Phil Hobbs <pcdhSpamMeSenseless@electrooptical.net> wrote:

    john larkin <jl@650pot.com> wrote:
    Assume we have a 1-ohm 2512 current shunt resistor that we don't want >>>>> to fry. My thought is to put a pair of big diodes across it to limit >>>>> the current. The associated ADC will be maybe +-250 mV full scale, so >>>>> we don't want the diodes to conduct much current there.

    A 3 amp PN power diode might work, maybe starting from 0.6v at 1 mA
    and declining 60 mV per decade of current. A pair of TVS zeners, used >>>>> in their forward directions might work; we have lots of them in stock. >>>>>
    So, I wonder if some doping magic makes a zener diode have higher
    forward drop if it's a higher voltage zener?

    Easier to ask than to pull a bunch of parts from stock and test them. >>>>> I'm feeling lazy today.

    A shorted bridge rectifier would give me two diode drops. The ones in >>>>> stock are gigantic.



    Depending on the accuracy required, you might want either a pair of
    antiparallel PN diodes, or else a bridge with a little bit of bias
    applied
    to keep the diodes back-biased.

    Cheers

    Phil Hobbs

    Put two antiparallel Schotky diodes in series across the shunt, four
    altogether. That also reduces your anode-cathode capacitance and improves >>> high frequency response.




    Or perhaps BJT wired as transdiode (E to C+B) should have low leakage at
    low voltage? Two inverse parallel for both directions.


    low leakage in reverse, but in forward, maybe

    https://www.eevblog.com/forum/projects/forward-leakage-of-a-diode/msg1287509/#msg1287509





    I guess the question is, given a hunky diode, rated 2 amps or so, does
    it behave, forward-direction, exponentially all the way down to
    nanoamps?

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  • From piglet@21:1/5 to spamme@not.com on Thu Feb 29 20:46:44 2024
    Mike Monett VE3BTI <spamme@not.com> wrote:
    piglet <erichpwagner@hotmail.com> wrote:

    Or perhaps BJT wired as transdiode (E to C+B) should have low leakage at
    low voltage? Two inverse parallel for both directions.


    --
    piglet

    How would that be any different than having two forward-biased diodes in parallel? Except the current would be limited to the maximum base current.

    How would it reduce the leakage at low voltages?




    The current is limited by maximum collector current rating not base
    current.

    E-B junction is far better than many PN diodes.


    --
    piglet

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  • From Lasse Langwadt@21:1/5 to piglet on Thu Feb 29 21:41:57 2024
    On 2/28/24 12:58, piglet wrote:
    Mike Monett VE3BTI <spamme@not.com> wrote:
    Phil Hobbs <pcdhSpamMeSenseless@electrooptical.net> wrote:

    john larkin <jl@650pot.com> wrote:
    Assume we have a 1-ohm 2512 current shunt resistor that we don't want
    to fry. My thought is to put a pair of big diodes across it to limit
    the current. The associated ADC will be maybe +-250 mV full scale, so
    we don't want the diodes to conduct much current there.

    A 3 amp PN power diode might work, maybe starting from 0.6v at 1 mA
    and declining 60 mV per decade of current. A pair of TVS zeners, used
    in their forward directions might work; we have lots of them in stock. >>>>
    So, I wonder if some doping magic makes a zener diode have higher
    forward drop if it's a higher voltage zener?

    Easier to ask than to pull a bunch of parts from stock and test them.
    I'm feeling lazy today.

    A shorted bridge rectifier would give me two diode drops. The ones in
    stock are gigantic.



    Depending on the accuracy required, you might want either a pair of
    antiparallel PN diodes, or else a bridge with a little bit of bias
    applied
    to keep the diodes back-biased.

    Cheers

    Phil Hobbs

    Put two antiparallel Schotky diodes in series across the shunt, four
    altogether. That also reduces your anode-cathode capacitance and improves
    high frequency response.




    Or perhaps BJT wired as transdiode (E to C+B) should have low leakage at
    low voltage? Two inverse parallel for both directions.


    low leakage in reverse, but in forward, maybe

    https://www.eevblog.com/forum/projects/forward-leakage-of-a-diode/msg1287509/#msg1287509

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From Lasse Langwadt@21:1/5 to john larkin on Thu Feb 29 22:28:30 2024
    On 2/29/24 21:59, john larkin wrote:
    On Thu, 29 Feb 2024 21:41:57 +0100, Lasse Langwadt <llc@fonz.dk>
    wrote:

    On 2/28/24 12:58, piglet wrote:
    Mike Monett VE3BTI <spamme@not.com> wrote:
    Phil Hobbs <pcdhSpamMeSenseless@electrooptical.net> wrote:

    john larkin <jl@650pot.com> wrote:
    Assume we have a 1-ohm 2512 current shunt resistor that we don't want >>>>>> to fry. My thought is to put a pair of big diodes across it to limit >>>>>> the current. The associated ADC will be maybe +-250 mV full scale, so >>>>>> we don't want the diodes to conduct much current there.

    A 3 amp PN power diode might work, maybe starting from 0.6v at 1 mA >>>>>> and declining 60 mV per decade of current. A pair of TVS zeners, used >>>>>> in their forward directions might work; we have lots of them in stock. >>>>>>
    So, I wonder if some doping magic makes a zener diode have higher
    forward drop if it's a higher voltage zener?

    Easier to ask than to pull a bunch of parts from stock and test them. >>>>>> I'm feeling lazy today.

    A shorted bridge rectifier would give me two diode drops. The ones in >>>>>> stock are gigantic.



    Depending on the accuracy required, you might want either a pair of
    antiparallel PN diodes, or else a bridge with a little bit of bias
    applied
    to keep the diodes back-biased.

    Cheers

    Phil Hobbs

    Put two antiparallel Schotky diodes in series across the shunt, four
    altogether. That also reduces your anode-cathode capacitance and improves >>>> high frequency response.




    Or perhaps BJT wired as transdiode (E to C+B) should have low leakage at >>> low voltage? Two inverse parallel for both directions.


    low leakage in reverse, but in forward, maybe

    https://www.eevblog.com/forum/projects/forward-leakage-of-a-diode/msg1287509/#msg1287509





    I guess the question is, given a hunky diode, rated 2 amps or so, does
    it behave, forward-direction, exponentially all the way down to
    nanoamps?


    the curves show a few 1A diodes down to 1nA

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
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  • From john larkin@21:1/5 to All on Thu Feb 29 13:43:42 2024
    On Thu, 29 Feb 2024 22:28:30 +0100, Lasse Langwadt <llc@fonz.dk>
    wrote:

    On 2/29/24 21:59, john larkin wrote:
    On Thu, 29 Feb 2024 21:41:57 +0100, Lasse Langwadt <llc@fonz.dk>
    wrote:

    On 2/28/24 12:58, piglet wrote:
    Mike Monett VE3BTI <spamme@not.com> wrote:
    Phil Hobbs <pcdhSpamMeSenseless@electrooptical.net> wrote:

    john larkin <jl@650pot.com> wrote:
    Assume we have a 1-ohm 2512 current shunt resistor that we don't want >>>>>>> to fry. My thought is to put a pair of big diodes across it to limit >>>>>>> the current. The associated ADC will be maybe +-250 mV full scale, so >>>>>>> we don't want the diodes to conduct much current there.

    A 3 amp PN power diode might work, maybe starting from 0.6v at 1 mA >>>>>>> and declining 60 mV per decade of current. A pair of TVS zeners, used >>>>>>> in their forward directions might work; we have lots of them in stock. >>>>>>>
    So, I wonder if some doping magic makes a zener diode have higher >>>>>>> forward drop if it's a higher voltage zener?

    Easier to ask than to pull a bunch of parts from stock and test them. >>>>>>> I'm feeling lazy today.

    A shorted bridge rectifier would give me two diode drops. The ones in >>>>>>> stock are gigantic.



    Depending on the accuracy required, you might want either a pair of >>>>>> antiparallel PN diodes, or else a bridge with a little bit of bias >>>>> applied
    to keep the diodes back-biased.

    Cheers

    Phil Hobbs

    Put two antiparallel Schotky diodes in series across the shunt, four >>>>> altogether. That also reduces your anode-cathode capacitance and improves >>>>> high frequency response.




    Or perhaps BJT wired as transdiode (E to C+B) should have low leakage at >>>> low voltage? Two inverse parallel for both directions.


    low leakage in reverse, but in forward, maybe

    https://www.eevblog.com/forum/projects/forward-leakage-of-a-diode/msg1287509/#msg1287509





    I guess the question is, given a hunky diode, rated 2 amps or so, does
    it behave, forward-direction, exponentially all the way down to
    nanoamps?


    the curves show a few 1A diodes down to 1nA



    I'm setting up to test some power diodes and TVS diodes, at 2 amps and
    10 uA. 10 uA at 0.3v and about 1 volt at 2 amps would be good enough
    to protect my 1R shunt resistor and ADC if some yahoo applies 2 amps
    to my gadget.

    Temperature matters too, of course, but I can adjust for that.

    The exponential thing doesn't work at high currents, when diodes get
    ohmic.

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  • From Chris Jones@21:1/5 to john larkin on Fri Mar 1 22:56:44 2024
    On 28/02/2024 8:50 am, john larkin wrote:
    Assume we have a 1-ohm 2512 current shunt resistor that we don't want
    to fry. My thought is to put a pair of big diodes across it to limit
    the current. The associated ADC will be maybe +-250 mV full scale, so
    we don't want the diodes to conduct much current there.

    A 3 amp PN power diode might work, maybe starting from 0.6v at 1 mA
    and declining 60 mV per decade of current. A pair of TVS zeners, used
    in their forward directions might work; we have lots of them in stock.

    So, I wonder if some doping magic makes a zener diode have higher
    forward drop if it's a higher voltage zener?

    Easier to ask than to pull a bunch of parts from stock and test them.
    I'm feeling lazy today.

    A shorted bridge rectifier would give me two diode drops. The ones in
    stock are gigantic.


    If you want really quite low leakage, you could put two pairs of
    antiparallel diodes in series, and use an op-amp to drive the voltage
    across one of the pairs of diodes to about zero, by driving the midpoint
    of the diode string to the same voltage as one of the ends.

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  • From piglet@21:1/5 to Chris Jones on Fri Mar 1 12:38:48 2024
    Chris Jones <lugnut808@spam.yahoo.com> wrote:
    On 28/02/2024 8:50 am, john larkin wrote:
    Assume we have a 1-ohm 2512 current shunt resistor that we don't want
    to fry. My thought is to put a pair of big diodes across it to limit
    the current. The associated ADC will be maybe +-250 mV full scale, so
    we don't want the diodes to conduct much current there.

    A 3 amp PN power diode might work, maybe starting from 0.6v at 1 mA
    and declining 60 mV per decade of current. A pair of TVS zeners, used
    in their forward directions might work; we have lots of them in stock.

    So, I wonder if some doping magic makes a zener diode have higher
    forward drop if it's a higher voltage zener?

    Easier to ask than to pull a bunch of parts from stock and test them.
    I'm feeling lazy today.

    A shorted bridge rectifier would give me two diode drops. The ones in
    stock are gigantic.


    If you want really quite low leakage, you could put two pairs of
    antiparallel diodes in series, and use an op-amp to drive the voltage
    across one of the pairs of diodes to about zero, by driving the midpoint
    of the diode string to the same voltage as one of the ends.





    Neat idea! Thanks


    --
    piglet

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  • From john larkin@21:1/5 to john larkin on Fri Mar 1 15:29:32 2024
    On Tue, 27 Feb 2024 13:50:41 -0800, john larkin <jl@650pot.com> wrote:

    Assume we have a 1-ohm 2512 current shunt resistor that we don't want
    to fry. My thought is to put a pair of big diodes across it to limit
    the current. The associated ADC will be maybe +-250 mV full scale, so
    we don't want the diodes to conduct much current there.

    A 3 amp PN power diode might work, maybe starting from 0.6v at 1 mA
    and declining 60 mV per decade of current. A pair of TVS zeners, used
    in their forward directions might work; we have lots of them in stock.

    So, I wonder if some doping magic makes a zener diode have higher
    forward drop if it's a higher voltage zener?

    Easier to ask than to pull a bunch of parts from stock and test them.
    I'm feeling lazy today.

    A shorted bridge rectifier would give me two diode drops. The ones in
    stock are gigantic.

    I tested a bunch of diodes.

    A big conventional PN rectifier diode, SMB package, rated 3 amps, 200
    volts, measures 0.76v at 2 amps and 0.37 at 10 uA.

    The 600v version is 0.94 and 0.37 respectively.

    A 28 volt TVS is 0.91v at 2 amps and 0.45 at 10 uA. The TVS is either
    a very small junction, or doped such as to conduct less. It does get
    pretty hot at 2 amps.

    I should X-ray them.

    A pair of antiparallel diodes, any of these, will protect my 1-ohm
    shunt and have no serious affect on my 250 mV ADC.

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
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  • From Mike Monett VE3BTI@21:1/5 to piglet on Sun Mar 3 05:09:30 2024
    piglet <erichpwagner@hotmail.com> wrote:

    Mike Monett VE3BTI <spamme@not.com> wrote:
    piglet <erichpwagner@hotmail.com> wrote:

    Or perhaps BJT wired as transdiode (E to C+B) should have low leakage
    at low voltage? Two inverse parallel for both directions.

    piglet

    How would that be any different than having two forward-biased diodes
    in parallel? Except the current would be limited to the maximum base
    current.

    How would it reduce the leakage at low voltages?

    The current is limited by maximum collector current rating not base
    current.

    E-B junction is far better than many PN diodes.

    Your term "transdiode" threw me on a wild goose chase.

    The term transdiode was used by Patterson in his 1984 patent:

    Patterson Transdiode
    US4450414A
    Inventor Raymond B. Patterson, III
    Current Assignee Intersil Corp

    High temperature current mirror amplifier https://patentimages.storage.googleapis.com/14/d7/e1/096a85e0cc0fba/US44504 14.pdf

    It is used in Logarithmic Amplifier feedback networks:

    Analog Devices Dual Matched NPN Transistor MAT12
    Figure 18. Log Conformance Circuit, Page 9 of 12 https://www.farnell.com/datasheets/2178247.pdf

    It is not suitable for a voltage clamp across a 25 ohm resistor.

    Your description of an E-B junction as better than many PN diodes threw me
    for another loop. The base is very thin and not suited for high current. I could find no datasheet that specified the maximum base current.

    What you really meant to say was a diode-connected transistor, which you describe as E to C+B.

    This conducts very little current at 250 millivolts forward voltage. For example, a 2N2219 conducts only 240 pa, which is negligible in this application.

    For your enjoyment, I include the LTspice files. I checked to make sure
    they work in IV and XII, and that there are no line wrap problems. I cannot verify they will work in 17 since I am running Win7 32 bit and have no intention of going to 64 bit or MS 10.

    SHEET 1 1140 1108
    WIRE -736 -704 -864 -704
    WIRE -736 -672 -736 -704
    WIRE -1008 -624 -1040 -624
    WIRE -976 -624 -1008 -624
    WIRE -864 -624 -864 -704
    WIRE -864 -624 -896 -624
    WIRE -800 -624 -864 -624
    WIRE -1040 -608 -1040 -624
    WIRE -736 -560 -736 -576
    WIRE -1040 -512 -1040 -528
    FLAG -1008 -624 Vin
    FLAG -1040 -512 0
    FLAG -736 -560 0
    SYMBOL voltage -1040 -624 R0
    WINDOW 0 49 39 VRight 2
    WINDOW 3 9 56 Right 2
    SYMATTR InstName V1
    SYMATTR Value 1
    SYMATTR Value2 AC 1
    SYMATTR SpiceLine Rser=2
    SYMBOL npn -800 -672 R0
    WINDOW 0 63 29 Left 2
    WINDOW 3 56 59 Left 2
    SYMATTR InstName Q1
    SYMATTR Value 2N2219A
    SYMBOL res -992 -608 R270
    WINDOW 0 32 56 VTop 2
    WINDOW 3 0 56 VBottom 2
    SYMATTR InstName R1
    SYMATTR Value 500µ
    TEXT -1048 -784 Left 2 ;'2N2219 Forward Voltage
    TEXT -1024 -744 Left 2 !.dc V1 0 0.25 1m

    [DC transfer characteristic]
    {
    Npanes: 3
    Active Pane: 1
    {
    traces: 1 {303038468,0,"Ic(Q1)"}
    X: ('m',0,0,0.03,0.25)
    Y[0]: ('p',0,0,2e-011,2.4e-010)
    Y[1]: ('_',0,1e+308,0,-1e+308)
    Amps: ('p',0,0,0,0,2e-011,2.4e-010)
    Log: 0 0 0
    GridStyle: 1
    },
    {
    traces: 1 {34603011,0,"Ib(Q1)"}
    X: ('m',0,0,0.03,0.25)
    Y[0]: ('p',0,0,2e-012,2.6e-011)
    Y[1]: ('_',0,1e+308,0,-1e+308)
    Amps: ('p',0,0,0,0,2e-012,2.6e-011)
    Log: 0 0 0
    GridStyle: 1
    },
    {
    traces: 1 {303038466,0,"I(R1)"}
    X: ('m',0,0,0.03,0.25)
    Y[0]: ('p',0,0,3e-011,2.7e-010)
    Y[1]: ('_',0,1e+308,0,-1e+308)
    Amps: ('p',0,0,0,0,3e-011,2.7e-010)
    Log: 0 0 0
    GridStyle: 1
    }
    }

    You are right about diode-connected transistors. An ordinary PN diode such
    as the MURS120 conducts 9.5 ua at 250 mv, and would not be suitable in this application.



    --
    MRM

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From piglet@21:1/5 to spamme@not.com on Sun Mar 3 08:18:54 2024
    Mike Monett VE3BTI <spamme@not.com> wrote:
    piglet <erichpwagner@hotmail.com> wrote:

    Mike Monett VE3BTI <spamme@not.com> wrote:
    piglet <erichpwagner@hotmail.com> wrote:

    Or perhaps BJT wired as transdiode (E to C+B) should have low leakage
    at low voltage? Two inverse parallel for both directions.

    piglet

    How would that be any different than having two forward-biased diodes
    in parallel? Except the current would be limited to the maximum base
    current.

    How would it reduce the leakage at low voltages?

    The current is limited by maximum collector current rating not base
    current.

    E-B junction is far better than many PN diodes.

    Your term "transdiode" threw me on a wild goose chase.

    The term transdiode was used by Patterson in his 1984 patent:

    Patterson Transdiode
    US4450414A
    Inventor Raymond B. Patterson, III
    Current Assignee Intersil Corp

    High temperature current mirror amplifier https://patentimages.storage.googleapis.com/14/d7/e1/096a85e0cc0fba/US44504 14.pdf

    It is used in Logarithmic Amplifier feedback networks:

    Analog Devices Dual Matched NPN Transistor MAT12
    Figure 18. Log Conformance Circuit, Page 9 of 12 https://www.farnell.com/datasheets/2178247.pdf

    It is not suitable for a voltage clamp across a 25 ohm resistor.

    Your description of an E-B junction as better than many PN diodes threw me for another loop. The base is very thin and not suited for high current. I could find no datasheet that specified the maximum base current.

    What you really meant to say was a diode-connected transistor, which you describe as E to C+B.

    This conducts very little current at 250 millivolts forward voltage. For example, a 2N2219 conducts only 240 pa, which is negligible in this application.

    For your enjoyment, I include the LTspice files. I checked to make sure
    they work in IV and XII, and that there are no line wrap problems. I cannot verify they will work in 17 since I am running Win7 32 bit and have no intention of going to 64 bit or MS 10.

    SHEET 1 1140 1108
    WIRE -736 -704 -864 -704
    WIRE -736 -672 -736 -704
    WIRE -1008 -624 -1040 -624
    WIRE -976 -624 -1008 -624
    WIRE -864 -624 -864 -704
    WIRE -864 -624 -896 -624
    WIRE -800 -624 -864 -624
    WIRE -1040 -608 -1040 -624
    WIRE -736 -560 -736 -576
    WIRE -1040 -512 -1040 -528
    FLAG -1008 -624 Vin
    FLAG -1040 -512 0
    FLAG -736 -560 0
    SYMBOL voltage -1040 -624 R0
    WINDOW 0 49 39 VRight 2
    WINDOW 3 9 56 Right 2
    SYMATTR InstName V1
    SYMATTR Value 1
    SYMATTR Value2 AC 1
    SYMATTR SpiceLine Rser=2
    SYMBOL npn -800 -672 R0
    WINDOW 0 63 29 Left 2
    WINDOW 3 56 59 Left 2
    SYMATTR InstName Q1
    SYMATTR Value 2N2219A
    SYMBOL res -992 -608 R270
    WINDOW 0 32 56 VTop 2
    WINDOW 3 0 56 VBottom 2
    SYMATTR InstName R1
    SYMATTR Value 500ต
    TEXT -1048 -784 Left 2 ;'2N2219 Forward Voltage
    TEXT -1024 -744 Left 2 !.dc V1 0 0.25 1m

    [DC transfer characteristic]
    {
    Npanes: 3
    Active Pane: 1
    {
    traces: 1 {303038468,0,"Ic(Q1)"}
    X: ('m',0,0,0.03,0.25)
    Y[0]: ('p',0,0,2e-011,2.4e-010)
    Y[1]: ('_',0,1e+308,0,-1e+308)
    Amps: ('p',0,0,0,0,2e-011,2.4e-010)
    Log: 0 0 0
    GridStyle: 1
    },
    {
    traces: 1 {34603011,0,"Ib(Q1)"}
    X: ('m',0,0,0.03,0.25)
    Y[0]: ('p',0,0,2e-012,2.6e-011)
    Y[1]: ('_',0,1e+308,0,-1e+308)
    Amps: ('p',0,0,0,0,2e-012,2.6e-011)
    Log: 0 0 0
    GridStyle: 1
    },
    {
    traces: 1 {303038466,0,"I(R1)"}
    X: ('m',0,0,0.03,0.25)
    Y[0]: ('p',0,0,3e-011,2.7e-010)
    Y[1]: ('_',0,1e+308,0,-1e+308)
    Amps: ('p',0,0,0,0,3e-011,2.7e-010)
    Log: 0 0 0
    GridStyle: 1
    }
    }

    You are right about diode-connected transistors. An ordinary PN diode such
    as the MURS120 conducts 9.5 ua at 250 mv, and would not be suitable in this application.




    Sorry if I created confusion, I first heard the term “transdiode “ for the E to CB connection back in the 1960s and assumed it was well known. There
    are other possible permutations of using a bipolar transistor as a diode
    each with different characteristics.

    --
    piglet

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From Mike Monett VE3BTI@21:1/5 to piglet on Sun Mar 3 13:50:03 2024
    piglet <erichpwagner@hotmail.com> wrote:

    Sorry if I created confusion, I first heard the term ƒ otransdiode ƒ o
    for the E to CB connection back in the 1960s and assumed it was well
    known. There are other possible permutations of using a bipolar
    transistor as a diode each with different characteristics.

    --
    piglet

    Nontheless, a diode-connected 2N2219 would be an ideal solution for Larkin.
    240 pa is a billion times lower than 250 ma, so it is negligible.

    And your post is the reason we found out.



    --
    MRM

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From Phil Hobbs@21:1/5 to spamme@not.com on Sun Mar 3 14:38:05 2024
    Mike Monett VE3BTI <spamme@not.com> wrote:
    piglet <erichpwagner@hotmail.com> wrote:

    Sorry if I created confusion, I first heard the term â otransdiode â o
    for the E to CB connection back in the 1960s and assumed it was well
    known. There are other possible permutations of using a bipolar
    transistor as a diode each with different characteristics.

    --
    piglet

    Nontheless, a diode-connected 2N2219 would be an ideal solution for Larkin. 240 pa is a billion times lower than 250 ma, so it is negligible.

    And your post is the reason we found out.




    Too wimpy. Fault currents of 2A were mentioned.

    I hadn’t thought about transdiode forward current being super low—that’s a
    good candidate for the bag of tricks, thanks.

    Of course the beta tanks at very low V_CE, so you’d basically just get the forward conduction of the B-E diode.

    Cheers

    Phil Hobbs

    --
    Dr Philip C D Hobbs Principal Consultant ElectroOptical Innovations LLC / Hobbs ElectroOptics Optics, Electro-optics, Photonics, Analog Electronics

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From John Larkin@21:1/5 to spamme@not.com on Sun Mar 3 10:02:19 2024
    On Sun, 3 Mar 2024 13:50:03 -0000 (UTC), Mike Monett VE3BTI
    <spamme@not.com> wrote:

    piglet <erichpwagner@hotmail.com> wrote:

    Sorry if I created confusion, I first heard the term ƒ otransdiode ƒ o
    for the E to CB connection back in the 1960s and assumed it was well
    known. There are other possible permutations of using a bipolar
    transistor as a diode each with different characteristics.

    --
    piglet

    Nontheless, a diode-connected 2N2219 would be an ideal solution for Larkin. >240 pa is a billion times lower than 250 ma, so it is negligible.

    And your post is the reason we found out.

    I need to tolerate a customer applying a brute source to my ammeter. I
    will have 2 amp polyfuses in both legs, but they can conduct a lot of
    current for a while, so I need hunky diodes to protect my 1 ohm shunt
    resistor.

    It looks like a 3 amp PN diode will work. I've tested some to be sure
    that their non-ideal behavior, at both high and low currents, doesn't
    mess up the theory.

    I wonder if a giant wirewound resistor would be a better current
    shunt, something that tolerates the current surge through the
    polyfuses. I'd have to test that too.

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From Mike Monett VE3BTI@21:1/5 to Phil Hobbs on Sun Mar 3 20:56:52 2024
    Phil Hobbs <pcdhSpamMeSenseless@electrooptical.net> wrote:

    Mike Monett VE3BTI <spamme@not.com> wrote:
    piglet <erichpwagner@hotmail.com> wrote:

    Sorry if I created confusion, I first heard the term â otransdiode â
    o for the E to CB connection back in the 1960s and assumed it was well
    known. There are other possible permutations of using a bipolar
    transistor as a diode each with different characteristics.

    --
    piglet

    Nontheless, a diode-connected 2N2219 would be an ideal solution for
    Larkin. 240 pa is a billion times lower than 250 ma, so it is
    negligible.

    And your post is the reason we found out.




    Too wimpy. Fault currents of 2A were mentioned.

    Model is constrained by what is available in LTspice IV and XVII. You are
    free to choose another NPN.

    I hadn’t thought about transdiode forward current being super low—that’s a good candidate for the bag of tricks, thanks.

    Transdiode configuration is for Log Amplifiers. You are interested in diode connection.

    Of course the beta tanks at very low V_CE, so you’d basically just get
    the forward conduction of the B-E diode.

    The goal is minimum forward current at low voltage. Low beta helps meet
    this.

    Now the question is why is the B-E conduction of a transistor so different
    from a P-N diode?

    Cheers

    Phil Hobbs




    --
    MRM

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From John Larkin@21:1/5 to spamme@not.com on Sun Mar 3 13:20:24 2024
    On Sun, 3 Mar 2024 20:56:52 -0000 (UTC), Mike Monett VE3BTI
    <spamme@not.com> wrote:

    Phil Hobbs <pcdhSpamMeSenseless@electrooptical.net> wrote:

    Mike Monett VE3BTI <spamme@not.com> wrote:
    piglet <erichpwagner@hotmail.com> wrote:

    Sorry if I created confusion, I first heard the term â otransdiode â >>>> o for the E to CB connection back in the 1960s and assumed it was well >>>> known. There are other possible permutations of using a bipolar
    transistor as a diode each with different characteristics.

    --
    piglet

    Nontheless, a diode-connected 2N2219 would be an ideal solution for
    Larkin. 240 pa is a billion times lower than 250 ma, so it is
    negligible.

    And your post is the reason we found out.




    Too wimpy. Fault currents of 2A were mentioned.

    Model is constrained by what is available in LTspice IV and XVII. You are >free to choose another NPN.

    I hadn’t thought about transdiode forward current being super
    low—that’s a good candidate for the bag of tricks, thanks.

    Transdiode configuration is for Log Amplifiers. You are interested in diode >connection.

    Of course the beta tanks at very low V_CE, so you’d basically just get
    the forward conduction of the B-E diode.

    The goal is minimum forward current at low voltage. Low beta helps meet
    this.

    Any beta increases current.


    Now the question is why is the B-E conduction of a transistor so different >from a P-N diode?

    Reverse zener voltage, for one. That won't matter in my case, with
    back-to-back clamp diodes.

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From Mike Monett VE3BTI@21:1/5 to spamme@not.com on Mon Mar 4 03:27:35 2024
    Mike Monett VE3BTI <spamme@not.com> wrote:

    Now the question is why is the BC-E conduction of a transistor so
    different from a P-N diode?

    Something is fishy. I extended the sim to 1 volt, and the current remained
    very low, well below a plain diode. I suspect the simulation for a diode-connected NPN may be faulty, and it's time for bench testing. Unfortunately, I'm in the process of remodeling and my lab is temporarily
    shut down.

    Version 4
    SHEET 1 1140 1108
    WIRE -736 -704 -864 -704
    WIRE -736 -672 -736 -704
    WIRE -1136 -624 -1168 -624
    WIRE -1040 -624 -1136 -624
    WIRE -864 -624 -864 -704
    WIRE -864 -624 -1040 -624
    WIRE -800 -624 -864 -624
    WIRE -1168 -608 -1168 -624
    WIRE -736 -560 -736 -576
    WIRE -1168 -512 -1168 -528
    WIRE -1040 -432 -1040 -624
    WIRE -736 -432 -1040 -432
    WIRE -736 -400 -736 -432
    WIRE -736 -320 -736 -336
    FLAG -1136 -624 Vin
    FLAG -1168 -512 0
    FLAG -736 -560 0
    FLAG -736 -320 0
    SYMBOL voltage -1168 -624 R0
    WINDOW 0 63 53 Right 2
    WINDOW 3 9 56 Right 2
    SYMATTR InstName V1
    SYMATTR Value 1
    SYMATTR Value2 AC 1
    SYMATTR SpiceLine Rser=0
    SYMBOL npn -800 -672 R0
    WINDOW 0 63 29 Left 2
    WINDOW 3 56 59 Left 2
    SYMATTR InstName Q1
    SYMATTR Value 2N2219A
    SYMBOL diode -752 -400 R0
    SYMATTR InstName D1
    SYMATTR Value MURS120
    TEXT -1048 -784 Left 2 ;'2N2219 Forward Voltage
    TEXT -1024 -744 Left 2 !.dc V1 0 1 1m

    [DC transfer characteristic]
    {
    Npanes: 3
    Active Pane: 1
    {
    traces: 1 {34603012,0,"Ic(Q1)"}
    X: (' ',1,0,0.1,1)
    Y[0]: ('m',0,0,0.08,0.88)
    Y[1]: ('_',0,1e+308,0,-1e+308)
    Amps: ('m',0,0,1,0,0.08,0.88)
    Log: 0 0 0
    GridStyle: 1
    },
    {
    traces: 1 {34603011,0,"Ib(Q1)"}
    X: (' ',1,0,0.1,1)
    Y[0]: ('m',0,0,0.001,0.015)
    Y[1]: ('_',0,1e+308,0,-1e+308)
    Amps: ('m',0,0,0,0,0.001,0.015)
    Log: 0 0 0
    GridStyle: 1
    },
    {
    traces: 1 {34603010,0,"I(D1)"}
    X: (' ',1,0,0.1,1)
    Y[0]: (' ',1,0,0.6,6.6)
    Y[1]: ('_',0,1e+308,0,-1e+308)
    Amps: (' ',0,0,0,0,0.6,6.6)
    Log: 0 0 0
    GridStyle: 1
    }
    }



    --
    MRM

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From john larkin@21:1/5 to spamme@not.com on Mon Mar 4 12:18:11 2024
    On Mon, 4 Mar 2024 03:27:35 -0000 (UTC), Mike Monett VE3BTI
    <spamme@not.com> wrote:

    Mike Monett VE3BTI <spamme@not.com> wrote:

    Now the question is why is the BC-E conduction of a transistor so
    different from a P-N diode?

    Something is fishy. I extended the sim to 1 volt, and the current remained >very low, well below a plain diode. I suspect the simulation for a >diode-connected NPN may be faulty, and it's time for bench testing. >Unfortunately, I'm in the process of remodeling and my lab is temporarily >shut down.


    The big diode is hogging the current.



    Version 4
    SHEET 1 1140 1108
    WIRE -736 -704 -864 -704
    WIRE -736 -672 -736 -704
    WIRE -1136 -624 -1168 -624
    WIRE -1040 -624 -1136 -624
    WIRE -864 -624 -864 -704
    WIRE -864 -624 -1040 -624
    WIRE -800 -624 -864 -624
    WIRE -1168 -608 -1168 -624
    WIRE -736 -560 -736 -576
    WIRE -1168 -512 -1168 -528
    WIRE -1040 -432 -1040 -624
    WIRE -736 -432 -1040 -432
    WIRE -736 -400 -736 -432
    WIRE -736 -320 -736 -336
    FLAG -1136 -624 Vin
    FLAG -1168 -512 0
    FLAG -736 -560 0
    FLAG -736 -320 0
    SYMBOL voltage -1168 -624 R0
    WINDOW 0 63 53 Right 2
    WINDOW 3 9 56 Right 2
    SYMATTR InstName V1
    SYMATTR Value 1
    SYMATTR Value2 AC 1
    SYMATTR SpiceLine Rser=0
    SYMBOL npn -800 -672 R0
    WINDOW 0 63 29 Left 2
    WINDOW 3 56 59 Left 2
    SYMATTR InstName Q1
    SYMATTR Value 2N2219A
    SYMBOL diode -752 -400 R0
    SYMATTR InstName D1
    SYMATTR Value MURS120
    TEXT -1048 -784 Left 2 ;'2N2219 Forward Voltage
    TEXT -1024 -744 Left 2 !.dc V1 0 1 1m

    [DC transfer characteristic]
    {
    Npanes: 3
    Active Pane: 1
    {
    traces: 1 {34603012,0,"Ic(Q1)"}
    X: (' ',1,0,0.1,1)
    Y[0]: ('m',0,0,0.08,0.88)
    Y[1]: ('_',0,1e+308,0,-1e+308)
    Amps: ('m',0,0,1,0,0.08,0.88)
    Log: 0 0 0
    GridStyle: 1
    },
    {
    traces: 1 {34603011,0,"Ib(Q1)"}
    X: (' ',1,0,0.1,1)
    Y[0]: ('m',0,0,0.001,0.015)
    Y[1]: ('_',0,1e+308,0,-1e+308)
    Amps: ('m',0,0,0,0,0.001,0.015)
    Log: 0 0 0
    GridStyle: 1
    },
    {
    traces: 1 {34603010,0,"I(D1)"}
    X: (' ',1,0,0.1,1)
    Y[0]: (' ',1,0,0.6,6.6)
    Y[1]: ('_',0,1e+308,0,-1e+308)
    Amps: (' ',0,0,0,0,0.6,6.6)
    Log: 0 0 0
    GridStyle: 1
    }
    }

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)