Stress Analysis

Using the SPICE Model to confirm operating points over a range of conditions, the worse case electrical stress for each part can be computed. Many parts have several parameters which must be assessed. For example, for a capacitor, working voltage as well as ripple current must be determined. For a resistor, it is power rating as well as maximum current or voltage. For diodes, it may be reverse voltage, reverse current, forward current and AC effects. The electrical stress information for all of the parts feeds into the thermal, derating and worse case analyses.