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safe operating area (SOA)

The Safe Operating Area(SOA) is the safe operating range in which semiconductor devices can be operated without damage. The SOA range plays an important role primarily in power semiconductors, in MOSFETs, thyristors, bipolar transistors and IGBTs, and is defined by the maximum collector current, the breakdown voltage and the reverse voltage and the permissible power dissipation with the associated thermal load.

The values specified in the Safe Operating Area take into account the various limiting conditions under which the corresponding semiconductor device can be operated. From the SOA characteristics, it is possible to read off the permissible current that can flow through the semiconductor component at a specific voltage. If this limit is exceeded, the transistor will operate incorrectly. To maintain the safe operating area, power semiconductors are equipped with protective circuits that kick in when the current draw is too high or the reverse voltage is exceeded. SOA circuits are used in voltage regulators, power supplies and power supplies, among others.

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Englisch: safe operating area - SOA
Updated at: 03.05.2013
#Words: 163
Links: start of authority (SOA), semiconductor, power (P), bipolar, current
Translations: DE
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