Design Tool # 4

Capacitor Discharge Calculator

Introduction: Bleed resistors are used to discharge capacitors to safe voltage levels after power is removed.

A bleed resistor may be either switched across the capacitor for rapid discharge without quiescent dissipation,
or permanently connected for high reliability and low cost. In the latter case there is a tradeoff between the time
to reach safe discharge and the quiescent power loss.

Selecting a suitable ohmic value is made easier by the calculator on sheet 2. This links the discharge time to th
resistor value and calculates the initial power. For a switched bleeder this is the peak power with decay time
constant indicated. For a permanently connected bleeder it is the continuous dissipation, and the resistor
chosen must be rated accordingly.

The data for a selection of TT electronics resistors typically used for these applications is included on sheet 3.

For further technical help visit the Welwyn website:

S J Oxley Mar 2005

The data and formulae in this file are believed to be correct but are provided for guidance only and no liability is accepted for consequenc
 levels after power is removed.

e without quiescent dissipation,

re is a tradeoff between the time

his links the discharge time to the

e peak power with decay time
ssipation, and the resistor

ications is included on sheet 3.

Welwyn Website

A subsidiary of TT electronics plc

no liability is accepted for consequences of errors.
 Calculator
ENTER: Capacitor Value (uF) 195

ENTER: Initial Charge Voltage (V) 1500

ENTER: Safety Threshold Voltage (V) 320

EITHER
ENTER: Resistance Value (ohms) 50
A bleed resistar at this ohmic value
will ensure safe discharge within 0.015062769 s
The initial power in the resistor is 45000 W
and the time constant of the discharge is 0.00975 s
The total energy discharged is 219.375 J
OR
ENTER: Discharge Time (s) 20
To ensure safe discharge within this time
the bleed resistor should be at or below 66,388.9 ohms
The initial power in the resistor is 33.8912304 W
and the time constant of the discharge is 12.95 s
The total energy discharged is 219.375 J
In theory, total discharge through a bleed resistor is never achieved, but in p
discharge can be achieved. The time taken for this is proportional to the ohmic
Calculator

Voltage

Initial
Charge
Voltage

Safety
Threshold
Voltage
Time
Discharge
Time

h a bleed resistor is never achieved, but in practice a safe

me taken for this is proportional to the ohmic value chosen.
 A selection of TT electronics fixed resistors commonly used in bleed applications
Smallest resistor in Series Largest Resistor in Series for further information please contact us: Click Here
Rated Power @ Limiting Element
Type 70C (W) Voltage (V) Series Technology Description Datasheet
1601 11 250 1600/1900 Wirewound Vitreous enamel coated 1600/1900
1609 165 3,000 power wirewound tubular
4501 1 10,000 4500 Thick-film Thick-film on ceramic 4500
4507 4.5 20,000 SIL leadframe
BHV10 1 10,000 BHV Thick-film HV thick-film on ceramic BHV
BHV30 3 30,000 SIL leadframe
BPC3 3 500 BPC Thick-film Thick-film on ceramic BPC
BPC10 10 500 SIL leadframe
BPR3 3 500 BPR Thick-film Thick-film on ceramic BPR
BPR50 50 500 SIL leadframe
F43 0.28 4,000 F Thick-film HV thick-film leaded axial F
F44 0.52 14,000
GC55 0.25 1,700 GC Thick-film HV thick-film leaded axial GC
GC70 1 10,000
HVC1206 0.3 1,000 HVC Thick-film HV thick-film chip HVC
HVC2512 1 3,000
MF0.5S 0.5 350 MF-S Metal Film Metal film leaded axial MF-S
MF3S 3 350
MFP1 1 350 MFP Metal Film Metal film leaded axial MFP
MFP2 2 350
MH25 0.25 1,600 MH HV Metal Film HV metal film leaded axial MH
MH37 0.5 3,500
MO0.5S 0.5 250 MO-S Oxide Metal oxide film leaded axial MO-S
MO5S 5 500
PW-2 2 150 PW Wirewound Ceramic cased power PW
PW-25 18.8 671 wirewound leaded axial
PWC0805 0.125 150 PWC Thick-film Pulse withstanding PWC
PWC2512 1.5 500 thick-film chip
T T43 1.5 4,000 T Thick-film HV thick-film leaded axial T
T48 10 50,000
TFP 13 150 TFP Thick-film TO220 heatsinked package TFP
W21 2.6 100 W20 Wirewound Vitreous enamel coated W20
W24 12 750 wirewound leaded axial
W31 2.5 100 W30 Wirewound Cement coated leaded axial W30
WA82 0.86 50 WA80 Wirewound Cement coated leaded axial WA80
WA87 6 150
WH5 7.4 150 WH Wirewound Aluminium clad heatsinked WH
WH50 37.1 1,250 power wirewound