On Mon, 6 Jul 2009 21:45:02 -0700, DaveC wrote:

Stud-mount diodes (four in a bridge configuration) are protected by MOVs: one
across the AC connections, one across the DC connections.

These MOVs are antique-looking finned affairs (a la selenium rectifiers).
Both sport PN S01AAA?AAA (?=illegible) with Westinghouse trademark. The
wiring diagram symbol for these looks like a zener diode with an extra arrow
head (both arrow points touch, with the familiar "z" shaped line between
them).

The AC supply voltage to the bridge is 75 rms. The bridge diodes are
originally 100V/1A devices; I'm replacing with 400V/35A ones.

This rectifier drives a DC motor via 2 contactors: one for direction (by
reversing polarity) and the other for "GO/STOP". The MOVs are to limit the
kick from opening contacts, I presume.

Someone suggested that with such stout diodes available today that maybe the
MOVs are not required.

If you think I need to keep the MOVs, how do I select new ones?

What say y'all?

Thanks,

To apply MOVs (and other clamp devices) there needs to be a decent difference between the
semiconductor voltage rating and the actual peak circuit operating voltage. In this case
the circuit operates at 75 Vrms or 106 V peak plus a margin for supply variation, say 117
V max, and the devices were rated at 100 V. There isn't a MOV voltage that would protect
the semis and not destroy itself in normal operation.

But luckily it survived (maybe the semis could actually take a lot more than 100 V?), and
you're using 400 V diodes, so you can safely choose a MOV that starts to break down around
150-250 Vdc or 100-150 Vac. And since MOVs are so cheap now you can just go with something
rated for, say, 100-150 Joules, which should be more than adequate.