High-Power Switching using MOSFETs

Question

For a project, I need a means of switching a high-current circuit between two inductors. The purpose is, each inductor serves as an electromagnet, and they are switched every 15s or so in order for one of the two to cool before starting again. The system I've designed uses arduino as a controller and a couple of MOSFETs wired inline in order to electronically switch the circuit. The current delivered to each inductor should be around 75A at 12VDC. In this specific example, I used three 35A rated MOSFETS in each 'bank' which would function similar to a single relay. Here is the schematic:

Bank B of MOSFETs is a splice from green line to Bank C. The idea is that Bank A will act as a supply switch (Open = NO Power), Bank B (Closed = IND1 ON, IND2 OFF), Bank C (Closed = IND1 OFF, IND2 ON). The supply switch acts to isolate IND2 from IND1. To the contrary, with not having the supply switch and splice, the only way I could supply power to the second inductor is if I were also supplying it to the first. That is why I have included the leftmost third bank instead of a simple 2, since I need to bypass power past the first inductor.

I am asking for a few aspects:

1) I feel I need more diodes in the circuit to protect against kickback. Have the diodes been added in the right places?

2) Are all the connections correct for the switches and the circuit to function? (Specifically the MOSFET banks and Source/Drain)

Here is an image i've found of an example NCH circuit:

It would appear from this image, that I do in fact have the connections of source and drain for each MOSFET wired correctly, with source on the positive end and drain on negative end. Please clarify if it is wrong.

3) Is there a solution to the VGS issue described, of the MOSFETS not switching simultaneously?

Answer 1

The red "wire" that connects from the negative end of the 12V supply and runs horizontally to the drains of the MOSFETs should not be there. The drains of the three MOSFETs should be connected together and to a solenoid, but not to the 12V supply.

If the MOSFETs are rated for a maximum current of 25A I would recommend using at least four in parallel to drive 75A.

There may be many other problems with your circuit but you haven't provided enough information to be any more specific. And please, please, clean up your schematic to reduce the excessive white space.

Answer 2

I am asking for a few aspects: I feel I need more diodes in the circuit to protect against kickback. Please describe where they should be added?

No, the place where you need the diodes is on the flyback for the inductor as shown. Make sure the diodes can handle the current/voltage from the coils which can get quite large. You may need to parallel diodes if they get hot or burn out. (without knowing the flyback current\voltage it will be hard to say how many you need)

I am wondering if I have all the connections correct for it to function. (Specifically the MOSFET banks)

Aside from what's aready been said, the mosefets connected to the red wire are not necessary and are redundant. You can already switch the loads, and a switch for the switches seems redundant and only adds complexity

Answer 3

Are you trying to represent an inductive load or an inductor. An inductor will have very little resistance once saturated and effectively will short circuit the battery or power supply. I would suggest buying an electro magnet rather than trying to use an inductor. They are two completely different things really but very similar in many respects. An inductor is designed really to slow the inrush current into a circuit whilst the flux builds up inside it ( this is a very basic view of an inductor I know). However when an inductor is turned off the flux breaks down inside, and as it does it creates a (higher) voltage which can be detrimental to switches and hence the use of the fly-back diode. You say that it needs to switch every 15 seconds or do you mean 15000Hz that would make a bit more sense if it was. The circuit as it stands could possibly smoke rather a lots or just burn out the cables used to connect the inductors. Be careful if you do create this circuit and if you do, you will answer most of your questions you have asked. I would suggest starting small and see what happens before trying to switch 75A at 12v, I assume you plan to use a 12 volt car battery to get such current, be careful with such batteries they can explode if shorted out, especially upon removing the cause of the short circuit. A car battery can melt a spanner if it falls across the terminals, please take care.