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I am currently working on a soft-start circuit. The picture below is my schematic. It worked fine in simulation and even in a real circuit. But after several times, turn on and off the power source (My power DC source: V=24V, 290W), the MOSFET dies for no apparent reason (Vgs = Vds = Vgd = 0 V). I even touched my finger on top of the MOSFET and it was just warm the whole time.

I use Chroma 63204 Programmable DC Electronic Load in CR mode. I don't know why the mosfet died so quickly. Any idea would be appreciated!

enter image description here

I forgot to take photos of my scope screen but when I measured Vg,Vs,Vd by scope, it looked the same as the simulation resultenter image description here

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  • \$\begingroup\$ How does Vgs and Vds look on your scope during startup? How did you arrive at your R2 and R3 values? \$\endgroup\$
    – winny
    Jul 27, 2021 at 9:53
  • \$\begingroup\$ Lan, I'm not certain but I think this patent may provide some interesting reading. It's purpose is to limit the current and to improve the power factor of power supplies. But it applies in a general way, I think, to what you are struggling over. I'm not sure, because I'm not sure of your definition of soft-start. \$\endgroup\$
    – jonk
    Jul 27, 2021 at 10:03
  • \$\begingroup\$ .Hi Winny, I updated my simulation result in my post. The purpose of this circuit is to reduce the inrush current charge capacitor (C2) at the beginning. You can take a look. R2 and R3 were used to clamp Vgs=-6V to make sure MOSFET was completely turn on after soft-start time. \$\endgroup\$
    – Lan Tran
    Jul 28, 2021 at 17:29

2 Answers 2

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Consider this important diagram from the data sheet when running in linear mode: -

enter image description here

Say you set a gate voltage that produced a drain current of 5 amps. At a 25°C ambient, the device would start warming straight away. Say it warmed to 75°C, it would then be taking 8 amps. Do you see where this ends up?

This is a poorly documented MOSFET given that it doesn't tell you what happens at 150 °C (absolute maximum junction temperature) but, you can put money on the fact that that it would be trying to draw hundreds of amps if it could. Of course it can't because it will burn internally.

This is the main problem of linear applications in MOSFETs that are not intended for linear applications. It's called the Spirito effect by the way and is a well-documented phenomena of running MOSFETs in linear applications.

In most cases, the thermal runaway can happen in less than 1 ms and not hardly produce any heat to the touch. Choose a better MOSFET that is designed for linear applications.

Other stack exchange Q/A on this matter: -

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    \$\begingroup\$ "Spirito Effect". They didn't teach us that at the college. \$\endgroup\$
    – Mitu Raj
    Jul 27, 2021 at 13:12
  • \$\begingroup\$ Thank you for the useful information. This is the first time I heard about the Spirito effect. \$\endgroup\$
    – Lan Tran
    Jul 28, 2021 at 17:35
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First observation, the hat1072h is or is about to get discontinued.

You do not state the current and what timings is the soft-start at which you test your circuit, but supposedly at around 5A? (R6 4.8ohm load).

If we take a mid-state point, 24V source, and the MOS limiting the current, loading 2.5A so it gives about 12V drop across the MOS, at 2.5A (ignoring C2).

Looking at the Maximum safe area of the hat1072h we can see that at 12Vds the maximum allowed current is about 2-3A, and 1A at Vds 20V, which seems dangerously close.

At the 19V Vds, 5V on the load at 4.9ohm it's about 1A, which is also right at the limits.

enter image description here

I've been warned by "old experienced analog guys" to not trust the DC characteristics given for MOSFETs on datasheets unless they are specifically designed for linear mode. Thus when operating in the linear mode, I take 2x -3x margin over the specs. Take this advice as is.

You might not feel the MOS heating up because it perhaps fails before the package gets hot.

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  • \$\begingroup\$ Thank you, so I need to find a linear MOSFET that has a suitable SOA for my application right? \$\endgroup\$
    – Lan Tran
    Jul 28, 2021 at 18:43
  • \$\begingroup\$ If you can afford a linear designed mosfet definitely go this route. Although they are more expensive. microsemi.com/product-directory/mosfet/732-linear \$\endgroup\$
    – Damien
    Jul 29, 2021 at 4:16

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