Spring is just around the corner and people are being drawn out into nature again. E-bikes are now standard and make it possible for everyone, from cycling professionals to leisure cyclists, to get out and about. The latest bike models are characterized by intelligent connectivity, efficient motor control, and a sleek design that not only makes it easier to cycle but also to transport goods.

High-end variants use carbon frames instead of aluminum to reduce weight. They come with an 800 Wh battery, a 52 V mid-drive motor with twelve gears, and transfer power via a belt to the gearless rear wheel. An alternative is the crossover e-bike, which is suitable for everyday tasks, long tours, and sporty mountain biking. These bicycles usually have 48 volt batteries with 750 Wh of capacity. For the city and short mountain rides, an all-round bike with a frame-mounted 400 Wh 36 V battery is a good choice.

Even the 36 V battery requires a charging device equipped with high-voltage Schottky diodes. As a rule of thumb, its reverse voltage must be five to seven times higher than the DC voltage of the battery. The SBCT30200 by Diotec Semiconductor is a 2 x 15 A, 200 V Dual Schottky diode in the TO-220AB package. Ideally suited for the output stage of a forward converter, which requires two diodes in a common cathode configuration, it is a good practice to load the output diodes with just one-third or half of their nominal current value. Power losses and, thus, heat are then reduced to a minimum. At 5 A of output current, even a high-capacitance e-bike battery can be charged up in a few hours only.

Every e-bike is equipped with MOSFETs, which Diotec Semiconductor supplies as components, especially for battery management and connection of intelligent functions. The chips regulate the power supply to the electronic motor, allowing precise control of its speed and direction. They improve efficiency, performance, and connectivity.

Click here to learn more about SBCT30200