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I have a simple preamp circuit coupled with a class AB power amp. The design is quite simple and I am pretty sure I already made it work a couple of years ago.

schematic

simulate this circuit – Schematic created using CircuitLab

The power transistors are the TIP31C and TIP32C.

While the preamp works correctly, when I power the class B amp, some components burn:

  • TIP31 (always);
  • C3 (often);
  • C2 (always);
  • D1 (always);
  • C4 (some times);

The load is an electromagnet; the 50/-50 V supply is required for the electromagnet to work. It should consume no more than 1.5A at full duty.

I think that there is no wiring error in the circuit since a friend and I triple checked it.

Finally, the DC supplies are both independent lab supplies, floating and not connected to earth.

So, something wrong with this circuit? (obviously... ;) )

EDIT:

Here is the result of a 3s frequency analysis. I reversed the polarity of C2 and C3 and I removed L1 since Circuit Lab could not simulate with it.

enter image description here

What puzzles me is that the output of the preamp (blue signal) doesn't have the same amplitude than what I measured with the oscilloscope. I measured a signal with a 26-27V DC bias and a 4V bottom and 49.8V top swing (sorry, I don't have a picture right now).

I will simulate with OrCAD Pspice and see if there is another result...

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  • \$\begingroup\$ Couple things are wrong with the circuit as drawn: C2 and C3 are reverse polarized, C4 should not be required unless you made an error with the power supplies and ground. \$\endgroup\$
    – jippie
    Commented Jul 6, 2015 at 17:42
  • \$\begingroup\$ Dan is right about the transistors. If you are able to actually drive the transistors near the rail, it is bad practice to use them so close to the maximum V(CE, max)specifications. \$\endgroup\$
    – jippie
    Commented Jul 6, 2015 at 17:43
  • \$\begingroup\$ Top of mind, the top transistor Q2 cannot be driven higher than approximately +25V. Say h(FE)= 25, R6 = 37 ohm. Order magnitude at the base of Q2 is order magnitude of R2. \$\endgroup\$
    – jippie
    Commented Jul 6, 2015 at 17:46
  • \$\begingroup\$ Q1 can easily be pushed beyond its limits. Say 25V is across the transistor, that leaves 25V across the resistors. Current will approximately be 25V / (510+51) = 45mA. 45mA × 25V = 1.1W. However, Q1 transistor will probably be saturated, because its base current is too low. \$\endgroup\$
    – jippie
    Commented Jul 6, 2015 at 17:51
  • \$\begingroup\$ You have drawn the circuit in circuit lab. Try DC analysis and see what happens at the various nodes. It'll be a good exercise. There is only one way to learn electronics, and that is learning from your mistakes. You have couple pointers what to look for now, I'm sure people are willing to help with your findings and improve your circuit. \$\endgroup\$
    – jippie
    Commented Jul 6, 2015 at 17:54

1 Answer 1

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I see a few problems.

  1. As Jippie says, C2 and C3 are reversed. The collector of Q1 will be biased somewhere between +50V and ground. The bases of your output transistors should be biased somewhere close to ground.

  2. Your preamp biasing looks a little suspect. With a minimum beta of ~75 (from the datasheet), Q1's collector would barely get down to 10V below the supply voltage. If you want a 10V output swing, that's not a lot of room. The transistor you have in the circuit right now might work, but it probably won't be reliable.

  3. You might need more than one diode between the output transistor bases. Your diode voltage is going to be ~1V, but your Vbe drops will probably add up to ~1.5V.

Finally, make sure you stay within the safe operating area of the TIP31s (from this datasheet):

TIP31C Safe Operating Area

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  • \$\begingroup\$ 1. Right now, experimentally, at the output of the preamp, the bias is around 26-27V and the amplitude varies from 4V to 49.8V. It is possible the input sine signal is bigger than 1 Vpp, I am no longer at the lab so I'll check later \$\endgroup\$
    – Doombot
    Commented Jul 6, 2015 at 18:25
  • \$\begingroup\$ 3. I'll try that, you're right! \$\endgroup\$
    – Doombot
    Commented Jul 6, 2015 at 18:28
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    \$\begingroup\$ Your current bias is consistent with a beta of ~200, which is reasonable for that transistor. It's usually better to bias with a voltage divider instead of a base resistor. C1 might be too small -- at 5 Hz it's equivalent to about 3000 ohms. Instead of AC-coupling everything, have you considered using a different transistor and biasing the collector halfway between the two supplies (i.e. at 0V)? \$\endgroup\$
    – Adam Haun
    Commented Jul 6, 2015 at 19:40

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