Fast, Simple Solenoid Driver Saves Power In Industrial Applications
by Gregory Mirsky, Continental Automotive Systems, Deer Park, Ill., How2Power Today, Feb 17 2017
Focus:
Conventional solenoid drivers have uncontrollable current decay arrangements. If a fast current
decay is required, a higher supply voltage is used, which results in high power dissipation.
Alternatively, an extra Zener diode may be connected in series with the solenoid recuperating
diode. In that case a special external signal clamps the Zener diode during the driver active
mode and releases it when its operation is necessary. Typically, a microcontroller is needed to
control the Zener, which adds complexity. Or, if the Zener diode is connected on a permanent
basis, the solenoid operates in a discontinuous conduction mode, which dissipates a lot of
power. To overcome these limitations, a new solenoid driver circuit presented here uses just
the driving signal for shorting the Zener diode in the active phase of its operation and
engages it quickly when the solenoid is de-energized. Operation of the circuit is explained and
experimental results are presented.
What you’ll learn:
- How to achieve fast current decay in solenoid inductors with reduced power dissipation using a simple charge pump circuit
View this Source (requires a PDF Viewer installed on your device)
© 2025 How2Power. All rights reserved.