Part Number:LM5067
Dear
We're using LM5067-1 (latch-off version) as hot swap controller. And two of power FETs are used in parallel.
The circuit is now starting to mass-product. But in the ON/OFF test, only one of two paralled FETs is sometimes dead. The failure rate is % not PPM.
The on/off test is occured at 3 different input voltages, i.e. minimum, nominal and maximum input voltage.
The nominal dc input voltage is -48Vdc and specially the FET failure are mainly occured at the highest input voltage (-65Vdc).
The output load doesn't seem like being related to this failure.
The FET P/N is below...
1st vendor: IRF100B201 (TO220AB, IR/Infineon)
2nd vendor: FDP036N10A (TO220, Fairchild/ONsemi)
The two FETs are assembled with heat sink.
Another information which you need to consider is that this failure is occured on specific lot of FET. Other FETs which have other manufacuring lot are mostly fine.
So the customer is now exclude the FETs of specific lot and adopting other lots. I think that is just a temporary measure. Sooner or later, this failure will be occured as production increases.
I researched related information and I initially suspects that the root cause may be difference of FET Vt.
I referenced the document which is titled by "Reliability Issues for Hot Swappable Devices"
The document link is ... https://www.eetimes.com/document.asp?doc_id=1273013
But as far as I know, there are no big difference of specications of FET including Vt. So I don't know exactly which is problematic - unbalanced Vt or below/above specific Vt.
Now I'm trying to test Vt of FET by using curve tracer. But there is a little problem to rent a curve tracer. As soon as I get the curve tracer, I'll test and let you know its result.
Anyway, what's your opinion on this failure?
If you need the customer circuit (related to hot swap circuit), pls let me know.
Honestly, I'm third party on this project. There are end-customer (global communication equipment company), intermediate customer, OEM development company, and me!)
In order to share detailed design information in public, the customer permission will be needed.
Thanks
Michael