Hi all, I am still a beginner and I have a question about the return current path of the rectifier load during unexpected event, such as arc.
Please see the attached image for the example of the circuit.
This is a circuit of a power supply unit powered from mains. It will eventually have a box which enclosed the circuit, made up of metal and connected to earth ground pin. Now here's my question:
1. I know that all rectifier load current will always return to -ve terminal. But what if something bad had happened and a arc occur at the transformer side. Since there is two possible return here, one is the common on the rectifier and another the GND-connected metal shield. Lets say they are both close enough to arc over, will the current always return to the source, in this case the rectifier, or the current will go the metal shield which is lower potential. or both?
2. Secondly, let's say when the tranny is off and the transformer inductances causes a voltage spike at source side of the tranny and the diode for some reason was broken. If the voltage spike is high enough, will it arc over to the metal case, or would it arc over to the rectifier common GND? or both?
Please see the attached image for the example of the circuit.
This is a circuit of a power supply unit powered from mains. It will eventually have a box which enclosed the circuit, made up of metal and connected to earth ground pin. Now here's my question:
1. I know that all rectifier load current will always return to -ve terminal. But what if something bad had happened and a arc occur at the transformer side. Since there is two possible return here, one is the common on the rectifier and another the GND-connected metal shield. Lets say they are both close enough to arc over, will the current always return to the source, in this case the rectifier, or the current will go the metal shield which is lower potential. or both?
2. Secondly, let's say when the tranny is off and the transformer inductances causes a voltage spike at source side of the tranny and the diode for some reason was broken. If the voltage spike is high enough, will it arc over to the metal case, or would it arc over to the rectifier common GND? or both?
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