Bewaaaaare |
All started well in the first cycle test. The unit ramped up to a test setpoint and we observed the overshoot. Either the time constant in the feedback path was three times what I'd estimated, or the relay thyristors were still partially conducting... POP. What was that? Soon the PV fell below the setpoint and the relay driver came on once more... POP.
A bit embarrassed and reluctant to spend a (relatively) lot of money for a Crydom or Gavazzi, I headed back to the internet for options. Somewhere along the way, a chisel and bandsaw attacked the failed SSR and a few interesting details dripped onto the pavement around its body.
Fused leads and torn trace; melted solder blown through vias |
Exploded via and opto, stray solder flash and char |
Part of one of the triacs |
The remnant internals of the triacs can be inspected and tested to clearly indicate that they are the insulated-tab variant. Considering a junction-case thermal resistance of 1.7 K/W (from STmicro BTA24) and an interface thermal resistance of about 0.20-0.25 K/W for the TO220 insulated tab packages, the overall junction-case thermal resistance for the SSR could be as much as 0.975 K/W -- let's just say 1 K/W. This is significantly higher than the thermal resistances listed for other SSR's in the 50A class -- by as much as a factor of two. With an input of 1.2 W/A at 40°C, one needs a 0.3 K/W heat sink to keep the junction temperature safely below 125°C at the limiting current of 50A. When it's the thermal resistances internal to the assembly that are so significant, it may be difficult to notice an excessive operational condition; the heat sink temps would remain relatively low. Overheating would indeed contribute to the likelihood of a stuck relay.
My casual guess at what happened was that one of the triacs remained on after the input went low, a condition made more likely if one had been hogging current. This resulted in the failure of the stuck triac. When the input signal reappeared, the remaining device destroyed itself, blowing out the optocoupler in the process.
Note position of R5 and suggested alternate location |
I found the location of R5 to be curious. Its manner of connection to the snubber network seems a bit odd. The resistor actually looks as if it were improperly installed through a via in this node, as the pad spacing is too small for the device to properly fit. There is a stub trace with an unpopulated PTH nearby which connects to the AC2 node. The spacing is more appropriate in this location, so this may be an alternate or a defect. It may also be that the PCB is used for multiple layouts.
It's also worth noting that the trace spacing reduces the input-output isolation distance to roughly 20 mil. I haven't checked, but even under thin coating of epoxy, I doubt that meets the 2.5kV isolation spec.
So what are the actual capabilities of this thing? If one is able to trust that the components (triacs, optocoupler) meet their individual specifications, I would still feel reluctant to trust this relay above about 20A at 240V. I don't trust the configuration to share current reliably between triacs, so I'd derate it to the capacity of a single component. Even still, one needs to consider the added thermal resistance caused by the packaging as mentioned before. The signal voltage range would be limited to an inconvenient 5.5v to 12v, as restricted by the series input structure. The extra indicator LED increases the minimum voltage to reach a reliable trigger current, and it also restricts the maximum allowable current. While the optocoupler can accept up to 60mA forward current, the indicator won't likely be reliable at 300% of its absolute maximum current. For people wanting to drive it directly from a microcontroller IO pin, this would probably cause problems as it did for me. At 5v, the relay may trigger unreliably because the opto would be operating near or below its specified trigger current. Operating at voltages slightly above 12v would probably be okay, but 32v is asking for trouble in my opinion.
In the end, the device design is a functioning SSR, but it is not capable of performing to the specified capacity. I'm curious to know how the 100A or 600V units are constructed. As I mentioned, I've used cheap chinese SSR's before; perhaps for a 25A relay, all this gimmickry doesn't impact the performance as much. Without knowing the details of construction or being able to trust the specifications, there is no reliable method to use these devices within their actual range of functionality. There are other stories online of fake FOTEK SSR's sticking on or melting. Hopefully I can contribute a little bit of information to explain the failure beyond "it was cheap".
I must confess that during the past few years I have bought a few dozens of fake "Fotek" relays and used them in noncritical applications switching 1.5-2kW 230VAC loads (approx. 5-9A).
ReplyDeleteAt first they were not so bad - SSR-25DA was found to contain a 20A TRIAC, 2 years later it had a 16A TRIAC, then 12A.
OK, guessing where this was heading I upped the game and tried ordering SSR-40DA :-)
The first batch had a BTA16-600, (16A 600V TRIAC), the next year it also was down to 12A.
The PCB-design inside some of them is also unbelievably bad with no respect for proper insulation clearance between input and output.
Today I got some SSR-60DA´s, immediately split one open and found a single BTA04-800 inside, yes it is the 4A type - a whole 6.67% of the rated capacity!
- Thor.
Thanks for the review! I just checked my parts box SSRs and found that I have 2 Magnecraft (10A), 29 Crydom (50A, 40A, 25A, 10A) and just one cheap Chinese Fostek 25A SSR (via AliExpress). I've used it for only 1-2A projects. I watched a DIY YouTube review that revealed it has an underrated TRIAC and will only work up to 16A. What a scam! And now thanks to you I will be doubly careful with it. But really, when it comes to that much power and risk of electrocution/damage/burning your house down, stick to the reliable Crydom. I just looked up the highest rated Crydom model.. 125A. Wow. Keep up the great blogging!
ReplyDeleteDo not order fake china IC on Aliexpress and ebay, it's very dangerous on HV/HA circuit.
ReplyDeleteNo way! Really? I never could have possibly imagined that until you told me!
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