The Role of Snubber Circuits in Modern Switching Technologies (Download)

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Switching devices and their supporting circuitry continue to advance to meet the demands of an ever-evolving power-electronics landscape. With the rise of silicon-carbide (SiC) and gallium-nitride (GaN) wide-bandgap semiconductors alongside silicon IGBTs and silicon MOSFETs, there are new (read: higher) expectations of power converters and inverters.

Rapid switching capabilities, high-voltage thresholds, and high efficiency are significant benefits, but they require a nuanced approach to managing the accompanying high-frequency parasitics. This article explores how the evolution of switching technologies is influencing snubber circuitry.