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Strange Behavior InnoSwitch 3 CE INN3167C-H101, frequency does not increase under load, but bursts are added

Posted by: David_C on

We observe some strange behavior with a design with an InnoSwitch 3 Design.

The device stops increasing its switching frequency above 30kHz when further increasing the load, but instead of this, it adds bursts of switching at its highest frequency, leading to a high ripple of our output voltages.

The strange thing is, If we disconnect VOUT from 12V Output voltage, the behavior under load is as expected:

Frequency increases as specified smooth over 30kHz to round about 70kHz (@230V), maximum load can be drawn.

See named scope images in the attachment.

What we also observe is, that the voltage at the BPS capacitor shows a stairway behaviour when VOUT is connected to 12V. BPS voltage is smooth, when VOUT is disconnected, and the secondary is only supplied via FWD pin.
See also named scope images in the attachment.

Disconnecting VOUT is not an option, because the InnoSwitch will switch off, if the load is removed.
We just struggled over this behaviour when "debugging" the circuit.

 

Do you have any hints, what could go wrong in our design? We don't find any documentationon what circumstances jittering should stop. We also have no clue, why connecting VOUT to its desired connection will influence the under load condition. We tested several measures, but with the lack of knowledge what happens inside the chip it is pretty complicated.

If you need additional measurments or information, feel free to request them.

The design is a multiple output design, with a standard wide range input.
We have the following outputs:

3.3V 500mA

12V 1200mA

24V 250mA

The feedback resistor network is connected to the 12V rail.

All three output voltages are fed from different taps of one winding, the additional 24V are on a separate winding

Comments

Submitted by David_C on 08/28/2019

Addendum: Adding a 18k series resistor between the 12V rail and VOUT also leads to smooth regulation. Values smaller than 10k lead to the erratic behavior. Maybe this helps to come to the root cause.

Submitted by PI-Bucky on 09/18/2019

Hi David_C

I would like to ask for the following:

1) Schematic, 2) Transformer Construction and 3) PCB Layout

for me to fully understand the problem.

Thank you.

Regards,

PI - Bucky

Submitted by David_C on 09/19/2019

Hi Bucky,
I'd like to send you the requested information by mail, how shall we proceed, I just don't see your contact data.
Looking forward to your response.
Regards
David

Submitted by PI-Bucky on 09/19/2019

Hi David,

You can upload it here.

Regards,

Bucky