SM74611 Datasheet, PDF (1/11 Pages) Texas Instruments – Smart Bypass Diode

SM74611
www.ti.com
SNVS903 – DECEMBER 2012
SM74611 Smart Bypass Diode
Check for Samples: SM74611
FEATURES
1
•2 Maximum reverse voltage (V_R) of 30 V
• Maximum forward current (I_F) of 15A
• Low average forward voltage (26mV at 8A)
• Less power dissipation than Schottky diode
• Lower leakage current than Schottky diode
• Footprint and pin compatible with
conventional D2PAK Schottky diode
• Operating range (Tj) of -40°C to 125°C
APPLICATIONS
• Bypass Diodes for Photovoltaic Panels
• Bypass Diodes for Microinverter and Power
Optimizer
DESCRIPTION
The SM74611 is a smart bypass diode used in photovoltaic applications. It serves the purpose of providing an
alternate path for string current when parts of the panel are shaded during normal operation. Without bypass
diodes, the shaded cells will exhibit a hot spot which is caused by excessive power dissipation in the reverse
biased cells. Currently, conventional P-N junction diodes or Schottky diodes are used to mitigate this issue.
Unfortunately the forward voltage drop for these diodes is still considered high (~0.6V for normal diodes and 0.4V
for Schottky). With 10A of currents flowing through these diodes, the power dissipation can reach as high as 6W.
This in turn will raise the temperature inside the junction box where these diodes normally reside and reduce
module reliability.
The advantage of the SM74611 is that it has a lower forward voltage drop than P-N junction and Schottky
diodes. It has a typical average forward voltage drop of 26mV at 8A of current. This translates into typical power
dissipation of 208mW, which is significantly lower than the 3.2W of conventional Schottky diodes. The SM74611
is also footprint and pin compatible with conventional D2PAK Schottky diodes, making it a drop-in replacement in
many applications.
TYPICAL APPLICATION CIRCUITS
A
K
SM74611
JUNCTION BOX
A
K
SM74611
A
K
SM74611
PV MODULE
1
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2
PRODUCTION DATA information is current as of publication date.
Products conform to specifications per the terms of the Texas
Instruments standard warranty. Production processing does not
necessarily include testing of all parameters.
Copyright © 2012, Texas Instruments Incorporated