Very Simple Active Snubber Based on the Use of a Low Cost Integrated Switch

Many topologies need over-voltage snubbers to improve the reliability of the main switch operation. In general, industrial solutions consist of an RCD network because it is the simplest solution. However, the energy driven by the snubber is lost in a resistor. In medium and high power applications, the power losses in the snubber become a problem due to the size of the resistor and the temperature management on that component. Obviously, it is possible to give that power back to the input source. However, this usually means using complicated and expensive circuits which are not too competitive. This paper presents a very simple and cost effective over-voltage snubber based on the use of a low cost integrated switch. The system allows returning the snubber energy back to the input, improving the efficiency of the system and simplifying the temperature management in the converter