SMPS without reservoir cap? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / repair

author: PA0PBZ
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 04, 2017, 07:39:33 pm
content: This is from a very old (25 years according to the date code on the ic) LCD projector. It worked the last time I tested it (5 years ago?) but it doesn't do anything now. I just thought to power it up one more time before taking the interesting bits out and recycle the rest. While looking at the power supply trying to see why it doesn't power up anymore I noticed something strange - there is no reservoir cap? I don't think I saw this before, so I'd like to read about your opinions.

author: madires
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 04, 2017, 08:03:01 pm
content: The circuit reminds me of those cheap halogen lamp "transformers".

author: PA0PBZ
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 04, 2017, 08:12:37 pm
content: Quote from: madires on July 04, 2017, 08:03:01 pmWell, it sort of is of course. According to the label its output is 12V 3A for the electronics and 35V 12A for the lamp, which could be halogen as far as I know.

author: madires
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 04, 2017, 08:21:42 pm
content: Found the AppNote:http://www.st.com/content/ccc/resource/technical/document/application_note/e5/88/46/11/35/8c/4a/bf/CD00003902.pdf/files/CD00003902.pdf/jcr:content/translations/en.CD00003902.pdf. Your PSU seems to have two of those, one for each output.

author: PA0PBZ
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 04, 2017, 09:44:38 pm
content: Quote from: madires on July 04, 2017, 08:21:42 pmThank you! I have some reading to do

author: T3sl4co1l
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 04, 2017, 10:23:57 pm
content: Not quite -- the SG3525 is a bridge controller chip.The drive transformer looks plausibly like it's one for a BJT H-bridge, which is typical for older stuff (cheaper). This is similar to a MOSFET gate drive application, but less flux is needed, and some of the load current is fed through the transformer as positive feedback. This accounts for base current, and sharpens turn-off. The driver, in turn, has to be able to push around that load current; normally the transformer is driven with a shorting-mode circuit, so that the transistors can be forced off quickly, rather than being left on until they later turn off*.*While such a circuit is similar to an SCR (latching) driver, it won't stay latched because the drive transformer saturates after a maximum on-time. When this happens, the transformer becomes a low impedance and near-zero voltage drop; this shorts out the B-E junction, turning off the one transistor quickly. Meanwhile, stored energy dumps out of the transformer as voltage reversal, triggering the opposite side switch. Without a driver controlling the transformer, this circuit naturally self-oscillates, as in the above link.The circuit is probably being controlled for average DC output, but not fast enough to control output ripple, which of course is impossible given the lack of primary side energy storage. Probably they did this, because the light output doesn't need anything -- it can handle the ripple just fine, and filtering and regulating it would be overkill. Rather, energy storage, and therefore cost, can be saved by putting the reservoir only on the circuit DC output side.Bonus: the primary side ripple gives a high power factor, probably around 0.9 or better (versus a typical 0.5-0.6 for a cap-input rectifier). Maybe not high enough to meet modern harmonics regulations (which need PF > 0.99).Tim