2. Essential EMC Design of Switching Power Converters

Keith Armstrong

Switching power converters of all sorts present extreme difficulties in containing generated interference. Typical switching frequencies of 30kHz−3MHz and their harmonics can be emitted by both differential and common mode conducted and radiated mechanisms. The introduction of wideband gap devices such as SiC and GaN devices brings new challenges. This session discusses topics that include:

Cleaning up switching waveforms; using ‘spread-spectrum’
Snubbers; and reducing output ripple
Heatsinks
Use SiC Schottky or soft-switching rectifiers; SiC or GaN switching devices
The isolating transformer’s interwinding capacitance
Don’t over-use galvanic isolation!

Speakers

Keith graduated from Imperial College, London, UK, in 1972 with an Honours Degree in Electrical Engineering. He has been a member of the IEE/IET since 1977 and a member of the IEEE since 1997. Appointed both IET Fellow and IEEE Senior Member in 2010.

After working as an electronic designer, project manager then design department manager, Keith started Cherry Clough Consultants in 1990 to help companies reduce project costs and timescales, warranty costs and other financial risks, through the use of well-proven signal integrity, power integrity and EMC engineering design and manufacturing techniques. By 2022 he had well-over 900 satisfied customers worldwide.

Keith has published several books and a great many articles, and taught many training courses worldwide. In 2018 he was the first person to receive the new IEEE award: ‘Excellence in Continuing EMC Engineering Education, for continuing education in EMC, signal integrity, and power integrity from a practically based point of view’.

2. Essential EMC Design of Switching Power Converters