Design of RCD snubbers based upon approximations to the switching characteristics. I. Theoretical development

Abstract

New optimal RCD snubber design equations for use with BJT-, GTO-, IGBT- and MCT-based switch-mode power converters are presented which specifically incorporate the transient stress effects due to circuit stray inductance. Based on these optimal design equations, analytical expressions for turn-off energy losses are obtained. The analysis presented in this paper is applicable for any power device; the MCT has been chosen here for demonstration.