Techniques For Safely Paralleling MOSFETs In Linear Circuits

by Jerry Steele, Red Hill Labs, Tucson, Ariz., How2Power Today, Jun 15 2021

Focus:
In switched-mode power supply applications, the inherent characteristics of the power MOSFET work in the designer’s favor when paralleling power MOSFETs in power conversion stages. But this is not so when paralleling power MOSFETs in circuit protection and electronic loads where MOSFETs operate in their linear region. Efuses and hot-swap circuits are examples. This article discusses the vulnerabilities of power MOSFETs when paralleled and operated in linear circuits, operation of Efuses and hot-swap circuits, and techniques for ensuring current sharing in linear-circuit applications. One technique used to ensure current sharing in electronic loads applies individual current-control loops for each MOSFET. Another technique, which is used in hybrid microcircuits, employs matched die.

What you’ll learn:

• How to ensure current sharing in paralleled power MOSFETs operating in linear mode

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