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What kind of voltage do you need to drive a piezo?
In order to drive a piezo through an amplifier, you need to put a signal into the amplifier, and the maximum voltage range of that input signal needs to be within the amplifier’s input voltage range. This is typically between 1V and 5V.
Which is the best way to drive piezoelectric actuators?
The most convenient way to drive piezoelectric actuators and other devices is to connect them to the piezo driver (Fig. 2). A direct driving method offers direct control over voltage range and waveform shape (sine vs. square). Most of the time, piezo elements are driven this way.
What is the resistance of a piezo transducer?
Their resistance is generally small, in the 1-Ω range. With only small resistance remaining in the circuit, the piezo transducer driver amplifier can drive/force high-current through the LCR circuit. For example, consider a piezoelectric actuator with a series equivalent resistance of 1 Ω and 10-nF capacitance.
How is a resonance circuit driven by a piezo driver?
As shown in Figure 5, adding a resonant inductor forms a series LCR resonance circuit. Note the two parasitic resistors are connected in series and can be combined into one small resistance. In Figure 5, the LCR resonance circuit is driven by a high-frequency piezo driver. At resonant, the driver only “sees” those two parasitic resistances.
What kind of resistor does a piezo transducer use?
One of the most basic piezo transducer drive circuits is composed of an electronic switch, such as an FET or BJT, and a reset resistor as shown in the circuit below. The main advantage of this circuit is it only requires a few, inexpensive parts.
How does the power of an amplifier relate to the piezo?
Amplifiers will spec a maximum power (in Watts) that can be supplied. This power will relate to the drive frequency, voltage, and piezo capacitance. In order for the amplifier to provide enough power to the piezo, it must be able to meet all of the requirements simultaneously.
How are piezoelectric actuators like capacitors?
For example, Mide’s piezo fan draws about 5mA. A single amplifier will typically have enough power to drive multiple actuators simultaneously. Piezoelectric actuators behave like a capacitor, so the current draw is proportional to both voltage and frequency.