Thanks, already driving it at the resonant frequency, but I will have a 
look at this guide.

Mark

Peter van Hoof wrote:
> There is a very informative design guide written by Murata here
> http://www.murata.com/catalog/p15e6.pdf
>
> The easy way to get more volume out of a piezo   (if you just need a tone)
> without driving  it harder is by driving it at the resonance frequency. (or a harmonic of it)
>
> Peter van Hoof
>
>
>
> ----- Original Message ----
>   
>> From: Mark E. Skeels <mskeels@competitionelectronics.com>
>> To: Microcontroller discussion list - Public. <piclist@MIT.EDU>
>> Sent: Tue, February 23, 2010 11:38:06 AM
>> Subject: [EE] piezo transducer failure mode on overvoltage.
>>
>> List,
>>     
>
> I have an application using a audio piezo-transducer and it is 
>   
>> rated at 
>>     
> 5V; we want to run it at 9V; because it is louder.
>
> I am 
>   
>> wondering what the failure mode would be for a device like this.
>>     
>
> In the 
>   
>> application, it runs for short duration (300 mS) and 
>>     
> infrequently. The 
>   
>> average maximum cycle time is probably something 
>>     
> roughly like every 5 
>   
>> minutes (or more) when in use, but it can repeat as 
>>     
> frequently as ~1 second 
>   
>> intervals as part of a "cycle." But each "cycle" 
>>     
> consists of only two 
>   
>> beeps.
>>     
>
> I have run it at 9V as a test, but am trying to get a handle on 
>   
>> what 
>>     
> could be expected longevity-wise at this elevated voltage.
>
> I 
>   
>> have contacted the factory, but have received no response so far.
>>     
>
> I 
>   
>> realize it's out of spec.    :-)
>>     
>
> Is it power dissipation? Is it 
>   
>> actual voltage?
>>     
>
>   
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