Modeling a Spark Gap

Julian Norris

Hi,

I am attempting to model a spark gap to be used as the load on the output circuit of a high voltage ignition module that I would like to simulate. There are a few spice models available on the internet, the most promising of which I have imported into a TINA macro. No error were reported during the import however the model (which appears to be quite strait forward) does not converge. I suspect that there are some spice syntax differences causing the problem but despite reading lots of posts on this forum I have not been able to find an issue. any help you can provide in identifying the problem would be greatly appreciated. I have attached the netlist.

2555.SPARK_GAP.cir

over 12 years ago

0 Britt Brooks - Online Design Tools over 12 years ago

TI__Mastermind 41310 points

Julian,

Instead of providing the netlist for the subcircuit, it would be most helpful if you could provide the TINA .TSC file that is giving you the convergence error. The convergence of the overall circuit may not be affected by the subcircuit provided, but may depend on how it is being used and the simulation parameters that are set in the .TSC file.

Britt

0 Julian Norris over 12 years ago in reply to Britt Brooks - Online Design Tools

Intellectual 305 points

Britt,

.TSC attached...

Julian

8171.PAI_voltage_multiplier_rev1.TSC

0 Nikhil Gupta (Product Folder Models) over 12 years ago in reply to Julian Norris

TI__Mastermind 39210 points

Julian,

Your circuit has some pretty large voltages and currents. The default simulation parameters are set for much smaller voltage and current levels. I have increased the tolerances for your circuit (and added different markers which I prefer over voltage and current meters). The circuit works now. Please see modified circuit attached.

2425.PAI_voltage_multiplier_rev1_mod.TSC

Best regards,

0 Julian Norris over 12 years ago in reply to Nikhil Gupta (Product Folder Models)

Intellectual 305 points

Thanks Nikhil.

is there an easy way to compare the old/new simulation parameters (like exporting them to a text file) so that I can see exactly what needed to be adjusted?

Julian

0 Nikhil Gupta (Product Folder Models) over 12 years ago in reply to Julian Norris

TI__Mastermind 39210 points

Julian,

The original parameters were the defaults. You can see the new ones by going to Analysis -> Set Analysis Parameters. The ones that are changed from the default are marked in red automatically.

Best regards,

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Modeling a Spark Gap