Can HVC HV diodes be used in voltage tripler and quadrupler circuits?

Absolutely — HVC's HVD series high voltage diodes are specifically designed and characterized for use in Cockcroft-Walton voltage multiplier configurations including voltage doublers, triplers, quadruplers, and extended cascade networks commonly found in medical X-ray, NDT, and scientific instrumentation.

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1. Reverse Voltage Derating:

Each diode in a Cockcroft-Walton chain experiences 2 × Vpeak of reverse stress during alternating half-cycles. HVD parts should be selected with VRRM ≥ 2.0 × stage output voltage minimum (HVC recommends ≥ 2.5× for medical safety-critical designs).

2. Reverse Recovery Time (trr):

For multipliers operating above 10kHz switching frequency, select HVD-FR (fast recovery) variants with trr ≤ 80ns to minimize switching losses and prevent excessive heating in compact encapsulated assemblies.

3. Junction Capacitance (Cj):

Lower Cj (HVD typically 3pF – 8pF) improves high-frequency efficiency but increases cost. For 50/60Hz line-frequency multipliers (common in stationary X-ray equipment), standard HVD with Cj ≤ 10pF is entirely adequate.

4. Thermal Management:

In enclosed multiplier assemblies, each diode dissipates approximately IF × VF + fsw × Qrr × VRRM watts. Ensure adequate PCB copper area or external heatsinking when cascade count exceeds 4 stages or operating frequency exceeds 1kHz.