
A
7/99
AN-23
5
Diode Type
Schottky
Ultrafast-PN
Fast-PN
V
D 
(V)
0.5
1.0
1.0
Efficiency Loss
(0.5/V
O
) 
×
 100%
(1.0/V
O
) 
×
 100%
(1.0/V
O
) 
×
 100%
Table 2. Diode forward voltage (V
D
) and efficiency loss.
Step by Step Design Procedure
Symbols and parameters used in this design procedure are
defined in Application Note 
“
TOPSwitch 
Flyback Design
Methodology
”
 (AN-16)
.
Step 1.
Determine system requirements: V
ACMIN
, V
ACMAX
, f
L
,
V
O
, P
O
, 
η
 Determine input voltage range from Table 1.
Step 2.
Select output diode. Estimate associated efficiency loss.
 The output diode can be selected based on expected
power supply efficiency and cost (see Table 2).
- Use a Schottky diode for highest efficiency for
output voltages up to 7.5 V.
- For output voltages beyond 7.5 V use an Ultra Fast PN-
diode.
- If efficiency is not a concern (or cost is
paramount), use a Fast PN-diode.
- The Schottky and Ultrafast may be used with
continuous mode of operation. The Fast PN-diode should
be used only with discontinuous mode of operation.
- Choose output diode type. Table 2 shows approximate
forward voltage (V
D
) for types of output diode discussed
above.
 Output diode efficiency loss is the power supply efficiency
reduction (in percentage) caused by the diode.
Input (VAC)
100/115
230
Universal
V
ACMIN 
(VAC)
85
195
85
V
ACMAX 
(VAC)
132
265
265
Table 1.  Input Voltage Range.
 The estimated efficiency loss due to the output diode is also
shown in Table 2.
 Table 3 shows some commonly used output diodes. V
 is the
diode reverse voltage rating. I
D
 is the diode DC current
rating.
 The final diode current rating is to be determined in Step 20
to accommodate continuous short circuit current I
OS
.
Table 3. Output diodes.
Output Diode
V
R
 (V) I
D 
(A)
Manufacturer
   1N5819
   1N5822
   40
   40
   45
   45
   45
  100
  100
  200
  200
  200
  100
  200
  100
  200
  100
  200
  200
  200
  1.0
  3.0
  7.5
 10.0
 16.0
  1.0
  1.0
  1.0
  1.0
  2.0
  3.0
  3.0
  4.0
  4.0
  8.0
  8.0
  8.0
 20.0
   Motorola
   Motorola
   Motorola
   Motorola
   Motorola
       GI
   Motorola
   Motorola
       GI
  Philips, GI
       GI
       GI
   Motorola
   Motorola
   Motorola
   Motorola
  Philips, GI
    Philips
Schottky   MBR745
   MBR1045
   MBR1645
   UF4002
   MUR110
   MUR120
   UF4003
   BYV27-200
   UF5401
UFR
   UF5402
   MUR410
   MUR420
   MUR810
   MUR820
   BYW29-200
   BYV32-200
Step 3.
Select clamp/snubber circuit and determine associated
efficiency loss.
 Clamp/snubber circuit is required at DRAIN to keep DRAIN
voltage below rated BV:
- A snubber alone may be used at low power (< 3 W
with Universal input) and will provide lower video noise
and superior EMI performance.
- An RCD clamp may be used for power levels < 3 W for
higher efficiency and is required at power levels > 3 W
with Universal input.
 Table 4 shows the approximate efficiency loss due to clamp/
snubber circuits.
Step 4.
Estimate power supply efficiency 
η
.
 Total efficiency loss is the sum of the output diode efficiency
loss (from Step 2) and the clamp/snubber efficiency loss
(from Step 3).
Clamp/Snubber
RC Snubber
RCD clamp
P
O
0 to 3 W
> 3 W
Efficiency Loss
20%
15%
Table 4. Clamp/Snubber efficiency loss.