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Our dimmer prototypes work fine, but fails surge test, as per 61000-4-5, 1/50us.

Circuit is isolated dimmer for 230VAC different types of bulbs. It uses 2x N MOSFET as switch. V503 detects zero crossings. N504/N505 are isolated drivers, in parallel to provide more power=faster switching.

Mains side passes test for 0,5kV, 1kV and 1,5kV L-N, tested in OFF and ON states. Bulb side fails for 0,5kV L-N @ ON state (because of peak current), passes 1,5kV @ OFF state (voltage suppressor works). 50% dimming is not tested yet.

What I tested, but not helps: protect each transistor with separate varistor, without LC filter (L503/C503), without CMChoke L502 on mains side, additional gate-source capacitors 2n2, additional gate-source TVS 15V bi-dir, moving output N before L502. Most often only one of FETs gets broken (but not always the same) with almost shorted 3 terminals, no smoke or package holes. Load is 60W tungsten bulb.

I have limited space on PCB and components prices, can't add second CMC.

L503 is 470uH/2A

dimmer schematic

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    \$\begingroup\$ The location of your CMC is somewhat odd. Is there anything else connected to that branch besides the optocoupler? \$\endgroup\$
    – Edgar Brown
    Feb 1, 2019 at 15:18
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    \$\begingroup\$ What’s the value of L503? What if you make a symmetrical Pi filter instead of LC? Can you cheat and stop switching during any overvoltage transient? RC snubber across each MOSFET? Can you have a varistor to ground? What does the voltage waveform across drain-source look like during testing? \$\endgroup\$
    – winny
    Feb 1, 2019 at 15:29
  • \$\begingroup\$ Model the surge and the circuit and simulate it. Examine what’s doing the damage. \$\endgroup\$
    – Andy aka
    Feb 1, 2019 at 17:30
  • \$\begingroup\$ @EdgarBrown I agree. There's nothing more there. Moving output N before L502 not helps. \$\endgroup\$
    – Bogumil
    Feb 4, 2019 at 10:47
  • \$\begingroup\$ @winny L503 is 470uH/2A. I tested ON/OFF states, not 50% or any other. I'll try symetric Pi or snubber. Varistor to ground - You mean to isolated side? \$\endgroup\$
    – Bogumil
    Feb 4, 2019 at 10:49

1 Answer 1

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The main issue here is ( no pun intended) the lower main line injection of 0.5kV with a 1us rise time and Miller capacitance coupling of impulse voltage back to the gate drive is probably exceeding the Vgs levels. This rise time equates to a the driving spectral energy band of \$f_{-3dB}=0.35/t_R= 350kHz\$

You have a CM choke on 1 side but not the other. It needs a CM choke between both lines to raise the CM impedance and a differential choke to raise each line impedance due to lightning rise times.

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