Why Capacitors Use As High Voltage Protection

Why Capacitors use as High Voltage protection:

The voltage across the capacitor cannot change instantaneously. This property is used in high voltage protection in electronics circuits. Let see how?

As we know the current i flow through the capacitor is given by,

Why Capacitors Use As High Voltage Protection

Instantaneous is nothing but the changes at zero time. That means if the capacitor across the voltage changes instantaneously, then dv/dt= infinity, hence the current through the capacitor also infinity, it is highly not possible. That’s why the voltage across the capacitor cannot change instantaneously.

Example: Snubber circuits.

How the Snubber capacitor circuit Work:

The Snubber circuit is nothing but a capacitor is connected across the device to be protected. i.e Example take an IGBT circuit. Here the blue color components (marked in yellow ring) is called Snubber circuit.

Why Capacitors Use As High Voltage Protection

[wp_ad_camp_1]

During Normal condition, the capacitor charges upto the input voltage of the source (Normally, input voltage = capacitor voltage). During abnormal condition i.e if circuit experience a voltage peak or When the input voltage rises the capacitor starts charging. Hence the voltage peak will get suppressed because of capacitor does not allow sudden voltage changes in the circuit. The equipment to be protected (IGBT or any thyristor) will be protected.

Learn More:   What is Power Factor & Power Triangle

Key Points:

  • Capacitor does not allow sudden voltage changes across it.
  • Snubber work as a perfect high voltage (instant) protection for all electronics equipment.
  • Snubbers are mainly used where the rectifier output needed circuits

Response of a Capacitor in a DC source:

Connect a capacitor with DC source, Where the voltage across a capacitor is DC, then the current through the capacitor i is..

Why Capacitors Use As High Voltage Protection
[wp_ad_camp_1]
Because in DC the voltage does not vary with respect to time, therefore

Why Capacitors Use As High Voltage Protection

Therefore, the current through the capacitor is zero. Hence the capacitor acts as an open circuit.

DC response of capacitor

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here