555 PNP Driver Problem

Thread Starter

dude_500

Joined Oct 22, 2009
16
I'm working on building a square wave generator from a 555 and since I need higher voltage and current (negative polarity) to drive some power triodes, I have a PNP transistor between the 555 and the triode grid.

I think I hooked it up right, however I'm fairly new to transistor design so I may have done something obviously wrong. I'm wondering if the atypical polarity that I'm running the 555 at is an issue and how to get around this since a PNP needs a negative drive signal.

When I put a scope at test point B with ground reference, I get no signal, however if I cut the circuit at either cut A, C, or both, then I get a clean -12V square wave.

I imagine there is a better way to drive this transistor, any ideas to improve the circuit so it works?
 

Attachments

SgtWookie

Joined Jul 17, 2007
22,230
The problem is that a bjt 555 can't get closer than about 1.3v less than it's Vcc, which you've placed at ground potential. So, when the output of the 555 timer is high, it's actually at about -1.3v.

The cutoff voltage of your PNP transistor will be around -0.5v; it will be well into it's linear conduction at around -0.65v.

You may have to resort to a 390 Ohm pull-up resistor from the base of the transistor to ground, to get it into cutoff.
 

Thread Starter

dude_500

Joined Oct 22, 2009
16
Ok, that makes sense. Why is it that there is no signal at the test point though when the transistor is connected? Shouldn't the signal still be there without making either of the disconnects at A or C?
 

SgtWookie

Joined Jul 17, 2007
22,230
OK, what do you mean by "no signal"? Is it flat-lined at something less than -12v?

When A and C are connected, what voltage do you measure at point B?

What transistor are you using?

If you're measuring close to 0v when the emitter and base are connected, the transistor may be shorted due to overvoltage.

You will need to use a high-voltage transistor in your application.
 

Thread Starter

dude_500

Joined Oct 22, 2009
16
With A and C connected it measures a flat line on the scope just a hair under zero volt line, maybe -0.5V or -1V. Disconnecting either A or C brings it back to the -12V square wave
 

Thread Starter

dude_500

Joined Oct 22, 2009
16
It's a 400 ohm, but it behaves this way even if the collector pin isn't connected to anything. Applying power to the collector or wiring it in has no impact and the voltage output out of the final output shows no modulation at all
 

SgtWookie

Joined Jul 17, 2007
22,230
Strange.

You know that the 400 Ohm collector resistor should have a 50W rating, right?

Unless you're running a really short duty cycle.
 

Thread Starter

dude_500

Joined Oct 22, 2009
16
It's a 20 watt wirewound, and usually it's only set to -65 or -70V, 100 is just the maximum. It is short duty cycle of only a minute or two at a time so I'm not too concerned.
 

SgtWookie

Joined Jul 17, 2007
22,230
OK, the fact that it's a wirewound resistor could be causing a big problem.

When the PNP transistor turns off, the current will still try to keep flowing through the resistor; even though it's technically a resistor, wirewounds have a good deal of inductance. That inductance will result in a large reverse EMF spike, which could easily exceed the transistor's ratings.

Try connecting a 200PIV diode or higher across that resistor; cathode to ground, with a new transistor.
 

Wendy

Joined Mar 24, 2008
23,415
Here is a circuit I designed a while back for another OP. The zeners try to control shoot through, where both transistors are on at the same time, and will blow the finals PDQ.



I have never built this, but I think it will work. A fuse is a must.
 

Thread Starter

dude_500

Joined Oct 22, 2009
16
SgtWookie, even if the resistor and -high voltage are removed it still behaves this way so that has no effect on the more pressing issue.

Bill_Marsden, thanks for the schematic however it is a positive polarity design and I need to be switching negative polarity to drive the grids of triodes
 
Last edited:

CDRIVE

Joined Jul 1, 2008
2,219
What's a Triode?? .... Just kidding!
Since grid bias does not need to supply power I think you would be far better off with an arrangement like this. It's advantages are that Rc and all the base fwd bias resistors can be made very large which will reduce your current and pwr dissipation considerably.
 

Attachments

Top