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TPS25946EVM: EVM hard failure. After which fails to limit current

Part Number: TPS25946EVM
Other Parts Discussed in Thread: TPS25946

Tool/software:

PostTo_TI_On_Blown_TPS25946EVM

 

I have a TPS25946EVM that does not appear to be functioning properly. It is not limiting the current. Prior to this happening a hard failure was observed. Smoke and a burning smell was noticed. Prior to this hard failure the EVM appeared to be functioning normally. It was limiting the current as expected and allowing current below the limit to pass. The blanking interval also appeared to function as expected.

 

This is what led up to the “smoke” event.

 

DC input of 12VDC applied between JP1/JP11

Jumper Settings:

  • J3 default 1-2
  • J4 default 3-4
  • J5 5-6 for 18.3msec blanking
  • J6 5-6 for 4.5A Current Limit
  • J7 default 2-3

Did a test in the following sequence using a BK Precesion 8500 Electronic Load (EL):

  • 0A 500msec
  • 4A 500 msec
  • 0A 500 msec
  • 0A 500 msec
  • 0A

Took a scope image identified as Test17.jpg

  • Channel 1 yellow is output voltage across TP2/TP12
  • Channel 2 purple is voltage across current sense resistor in low (minus) side
  • Trigger was on channel 2 rising above 32 mV.

 

Then removed jumper at J5 to get minimium blanking. Power cycled the board. Reran above load sequence and saw smoke. Get scope image identified at Test18.jpg

 

After seeing the smoke ran more tests to determine what component may have failed. Did notice output cap C3 appears possibily damaged/distorted. See images C3_1.jpg – C3_3.jpg. Also board photos Board_1.jpg – Board_3.jpg

 

Now current limiting does not appear to work. With J6 set to 1-2 for 0.5A limit the board is allowing 1.0A load to pass thru as observed on the input power supply and electronic load. But the PG LED is lighting.

 

Scope Traces

  • Reference non limited 0.5A load across sense resistor. Test22.jpg
  • Reference non limited 1.0A load with J6 set to 3-4 for 2A limit. Test21.jpg
  • J6 1-2 0.5A limit, EL set to 1A and outputing 1.0A
    • Should be limited to 0.5A but not. PG LED on.
    • jpg
    • 1.jpg same trigger zoomed in. Cursors on Current
    • 2.jpg same trigger zoomed in. Cursors on Output voltage
  • jpg 1A load with J6 set to allow 2A. No limiting expected
    • Scoping Itimer TP6 Channel 3 blue
    • Voltage rises but expected it to drop as cap is discharged
  • jpg powering on board
  • jpg 1.0A load. J6 set for 0.5A limit. But not limited
    • Scoping Itimer TP6 Channel 3 blue
    • Voltage rises but expected it to drop as cap is discharged
  • jpg Same as Test25.jpg zoomed out
  • jpg Same as Test25 with not limited but expected
    • Scoping BG TP9 Channel 3 blue
  • jpg Same as Test25 with not limited but expected
    • Scoping BGTH TP10 Channel 3 blue
  • jpg Same as Test29 moved channel 3 for better view

 

Could cap C3 failing cause the eFuse to fail and not current limit?

 

 

 

 Photos-1-001 (2).zipPhotos-1-001 (3).zip

  • Sequence for BK Electronic load current values did not post properly

    1) 0.0A 500 msec

    2) 400mA 500 msec

    3) 1A 500 msec

    4) 3A 400 msec

    5) 0A

  • File names for scope photos/images did not post properly in original. Here is update.

     

    Scope Traces

    • Reference non limited 0.5A load across sense resistor. Test22.jpg
    • Reference non limited 1.0A load with J6 set to 3-4 for 2A limit. Test21.jpg
    • J6 1-2 0.5A limit, EL set to 1A and outputing 1.0A
      • Should be limited to 0.5A but not. PG LED on.
      • Image Test20.jpg
      • Image Test20.1.jpg same trigger zoomed in. Cursors on Current
      • Image Test20.2.jpg same trigger zoomed in. Cursors on Output voltage
    • Image Test23.jpg 1A load with J6 set to allow 2A. No limiting expected
      • Scoping Itimer TP6 Channel 3 blue
      • Voltage rises but expected it to drop as cap is discharged
    • Image Test24.jpg powering on board
    • Image Test25.jpg 1.0A load. J6 set for 0.5A limit. But not limited
      • Scoping Itimer TP6 Channel 3 blue
      • Voltage rises but expected it to drop as cap is discharged
    • Image Test26.jpg Same as Test25.jpg zoomed out
    • Image Test28.jpg Same as Test25 with not limited but expected
      • Scoping BG TP9 Channel 3 blue
    • Image Test29.jpg Same as Test25 with not limited but expected
      • Scoping BGTH TP10 Channel 3 blue
    • Image Test30.jpg Same as Test29 moved channel 3 for better view
  • Hi Eric,

    Thank you for your patience

    May I know if you have conducted using experiment using CC load or CR load 

    Best Regards,

    Sailendra


  • Hi Sailendra. Thanks for the prompt reply. For the load, I was using a BK Precision 8500 Electronic Load. It was setup to provide a Constant Current (CC) load.

  • Hi Sailendra. Thanks for the prompt reply. For the load, I was using a BK Precision 8500 Electronic Load. It was setup to provide a Constant Current (CC) load. We use it with PC sofware PV8500 Ver. 6.34

  • Got a new (2nd) TPS25946EVM

    • C3 same as failed board. So its not the problem
    • See discoloration at U1 pin 8 failed board. Not there on 2nd board.
      • Does appear as U1 the eFuse TPS259460ARPWR failed on 1st But it failed shorted. Still allows current to flow
    • 2nd board is current limiting
    • Want to repeat test that may have fried on the 1st board but don’t want to cook another board! This was setup and test:
      • Power supply input to board current limit was 5A
      • J6 was set to 4.5A limit
      • J5 set to 18.3 msec blanking
      • Ran test sequence from Electronic load of:
        • 400mA for 500 msec
        • 1A for 500 msec
        • 3A for 500 msec
        • 0A
      • Removed jumper at J5
        • I think I power cycled the board. Not 100% sure
        • Repeated about load sequence
        • Got smoke. Not sure at what point failure ocured

  • Hi Eric,

    You have performed the first EVM with CC load. The device cannot supply the current drawn by CCload when the device just starts as the current buildup in the slew rate controlled by dv/dt cap. So it is recommended to test the device in CR mode. Can you please check it in CR mode.

    Best Regards

    Sailendra

    • CC load is what we use all the time to test our boards. We manufacture batteries and chargers and charging starts in CC mode.
    • Are you saying that an initial Constant Current (CC) load of 3A caused the TPS25946 to hard fail - smoke? If the current was too high I would have expected it to shut down and recover.
    • Another issue. I was testing on my 2nd board and it now has failed. This is what happened. A scope ground probe came off from PGND TP12 and touched TP7 dvdt which is close by. dvdt J4 jumper was in 3-4. The chip and board stopped working at this point and does not recover after power cycles. Is that expected?