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Automatic Start of Dishwashing or EV Charging When There is Plenty of Renewable Energy – And Save Costs shortly
It often happens that solar (or wind) energy is available in high volumes, but electricity demand is low at the same time. In order not to waste that "free" energy, it would be great if flexible electricity consumers – such as washing machines, dishwashers, or even your electric car – would be automatically operated or charged based on energy availability. From 2025 on, electricity suppliers in the EU are obliged to offer flexible tariffs: When power is highly available and therefore cheap, the price per kWh is low – time to switch on the power loads.
Already now, users can check when there is a lot of renewable energy available, and switch on any electricity consumer either manually or even automatically. An app, developed by the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems (ISE), makes it possible: energy-charts.info. Using an electricity traffic light, the app helps to adjust consumption to the current generation. It uses the share of renewable energies in the electrical load as a basis. When the generated energy is 10% above the consumption, the traffic light will display green. If the current level is 10% below the average, the traffic light will display red.
The app offers an API (Application Programming Interface), allowing smart home applications to automatically switch on power loads when the traffic light is green. Home appliances from big brands are already using that function. The Power MOSFETs DI018N65D1 by Diotec Semiconductor are the perfect load switches for medium-power consumers. Two of them switched anti-serial build an AC switch, capable of power loads up to about 2800 W. The parts come in the space-saving D-PAK and offer 650 V of Drain-Source voltage, suitable for 230~240 V mains applications. On-state resistance is typically 165 mOhm at 10 V Gate voltage.
Energy Saving Power Supply of Data Servers
Apps like the "energy-charts.info" by Fraunhofer ISE can help to save energy by using electricity when plenty of renewables are feeding the grid. But, any app requires a working data net, anytime, anywhere. The backbone of the world wide web is masses of data servers, distributed all over the world, preferably in cold regions – due to the better cooling conditions in those areas. Because data servers need energy, power supplies have losses; leading to heat which needs to be removed.
Designing server power supplies in a way that efficiency is as high as possible and thus losses reduced to a minimum is a mandatory target. Due to the masses of data servers, even small improvements will save a lot of energy, if we think globally. The input bridge GBI25J-LV by Diotec is built with rectifier chips offering a 10% lower forward voltage drop than the standard version GBI25J. Since always two diodes are conducting per main cycle, the power savings are even 20%. This is a lot for a power supply running 24/7.
Alarm systems protected with surge arresters
Modern alarm systems offer various functions such as burglar alarm, video surveillance, light and sound signaling, light switching and presence detection. In emergency situations such as theft, fire, flooding, etc., they alert people or alarm centres either with a loud siren or, depending on the system, with a silent alarm.
There are different types of motion detectors with different operating principles. Passive infrared, or PIR, detectors are the most commonly used and can be used both indoors and outdoors. Combinations of motion detectors are often used in intruder alarm systems to reduce the risk of false alarms. Dual PIR detectors, for example, consist of two different PIR sensors and only trigger an alarm if both sensors detect movement.
Of course, the alarm electronics also need to be protected. Surges from the mains, for example, from a lightning strike, can damage the sensitive sensor circuitry. The P6SMBJ5.0CA Transient Voltage Suppressor (TVS) from Diotec Semiconductor provides reliable surge protection for electronic alarm systems, has an operating voltage of 5 V and a peak power of 600 W, and is supplied in the space-saving DO-214AA/SMB package.
"GoGreen, the future is getting brighter": LED lights for urban development
LED luminaires are an innovative step towards environmentally friendly street lighting. Pavements and roads are better illuminated, especially at night, increasing safety and comfort in cities and communities. LEDs convert electrical energy into light and are therefore longer-lasting and more energy-efficient than conventional lighting technologies.
Significant energy and cost savings can be achieved. Since street luminaires are connected to the public power supply, special attention to the input stage of the lighting is required. High-voltage spikes from lightning strikes can damage this circuitry, cause equipment failure, and create unwanted darkness.
The SM4000 rectifier diode from Diotec Semiconductor offers an impressive 4000V surge voltage in a single DO-213AB package. This means that overvoltages can hardly damage the input stage. This results in reliable operation of the streetlight. The average forward current of this diode, 1 A, is more than sufficient for the power requirements of typical LED drivers, and their small footprint allows space-saving board mounting. All for bright, safe pavements and roads at night.
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Focus on safety: Light curtains as the key to reliable machine monitoring
Light barriers are an important and indispensable means of preventing accidents and, at the same time, optimizing structured work processes. They are non-contact safety devices that protect people from serious injuries on machines and systems. The devices form a close-meshed protective field of infrared beams to safeguard access to the danger zone. It is defined by the protective field height and the protective field width. The interruption of one or more beams triggers the safe shutdown command.
The SMF33CA suppressor diodes from Diotec in the SOD-123FL housing are used in the 24 V DC supply of the light curtain, which is typically found in machines such as presses and punching machines, robotic systems, assembly machines, packaging and conveyor systems. They ensure that its electronics are protected from damage caused by overvoltage and help to keep the safety device in operation at all times.
Symbols, pad layouts, step files and SPICE models are now available on SnapMagic
The online platform SnapMagic (formerly known as SnapEDA) now offers circuit symbols, pad layouts and footprints, 3D data, step files and SPICE models for almost every Diotec Semiconductor component. Free to download and compatible with the most important electronic design tools.
Symbols and footprints are available for at least two software programs, namely Altium and KiCAD. The data for high-runners such as the S1M is even available in 18 formats! And as soon as your design is ready, you can order test samples quickly and easily from our online sales department by clicking on the "Pricing" button.
This means that all the data for the electronics design is available on one page, and samples can be ordered quickly without having to search for a long time.
ESD5Z5V0 in the tiny SOD-523 protects earphones against static discharge
They are "in" in the truest sense of the word: in-ear headphones with a charging box and wireless connection via Bluetooth. But there is an invisible danger, especially now in winter: you walk across the carpet, pick up the headphones, and... a static voltage discharges from you onto the device. What is only a small, unpleasant shock for us humans can irreparably destroy the microcontroller in the headphones.
To ensure that you can enjoy your earbuds for a long time, they must be safely protected against electrostatic discharge (ESD). The ESD5Z5V0 protection diode from Diotec Semiconductor comes in a tiny SOD-523 housing and measures just 1.6 x 0.8 mm. It fits into the smallest earphones and offers an impressive ESD immunity of 30 kilovolts according to the Human Body Model (HBM) for both air and contact discharge.
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Home Cinema: Enjoy your winter evenings, powered by Diotec's Energy Saving Bridge Rectifier
The latest ecodesign requirement of EU Directive 2023/826 stipulates that the standby consumption of electronic devices - e.g. entertainment devices - may only be 0.5 watts. In order to achieve this target, the power losses in each semiconductor component must be carefully checked, starting with the input bridge, which is connected to the mains and is always in operation.
Diotec Semiconductor meets this requirement with its latest series of "Low Vf" or "-LV" rectifier bridges, such as the GBI25J-LV. Compared to the standard GBI25J version, this component offers a reduction in forward voltage Vf of 12% per single diode. The Vf parameter is proportional to the power dissipation as a first approximation, and since there are always two diodes per bridge, the total saving is 24% compared to the standard version. This is impressive and could be the decisive step towards achieving the eco-design requirement of only 0.5 W standby power.
Stylish LED Lights Arrays – Controlled by the Dual Transistor BC846S
A gentle revolution has entered our homes, offices and public places: LED lights have replaced almost everywhere the traditional incandescent bulbs. In terms of light quality and energy saving, LEDs offer several advantages. Conventional light sources convert only about five percent of the consumed energy into light, whereas LEDs are seven times more efficient in converting energy into light. They have a higher luminous intensity, providing a clearer and more luminous light. LEDs are highly energy-efficient, saving up to 90% electricity compared to incandescent lamps. Thus, they generate very little heat, reducing the risk of fire accidents. Furthermore, LEDs have a much longer service life, lasting up to 50,000 operating hours – saving costs and helping to reduce material use, energy consumption and finally waste.
LED arrays can be arranged in almost every kind of shape. Their driver circuit is built by few components only, an input rectifier, current limiting diode; PWM controller IC and just a switching transistor. The BC846S by Diotec Semiconductor is a dual NPN transistor in the fully lead-free SOT-363 case outline. It offers 100 mA of output current and 250 mW of total power dissipation. Enough to drive medium power LEDs used in array assemblies. The lead-free part is a plus for the environment and covers a rising demand in consumer applications.
Cook like a Pro – Surface Induction Ceramic Hob powered by S15KYD2
Induction hobs generate a high-frequent magnetic field which directly heats the magnetizable base of suitable cookware. This allows a very fast heating up and perfect control of cooking heat. One reason why more and more chefs change from gas stoves to induction cookers. When the power is turned off and the cooking pot or frying pan is removed, the ceramic surface is slightly warm, which is a beneficial outcome to prevent burn-in of overcooked food or when children are present in your private kitchen.
The S15KYD2 by Diotec Semiconductor is a 15 A / 800 V rectifier diode in D2PAK form. It is used as input rectifier of the control circuit generating the magnetic field. The part can be assembled fully automatic onto the PCB and offers a superior power dissipation capability due to its metal base plate. Its forward surge current rating of 250 A at 50 Hz / 10 ms pulses ensures reliable operation especially at frequent turning-on / turning-off cycles which are typical for cooking stoves.