POWER ELECTRONICS

Y2 ELT & ETT

Lecturer: Francois KARANGUZA

POWER ELECTRONICS MODULE _Y2 ELT & ETT

 POWER SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES
THYRISTORS

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 Introduction

✓ Thyristors are four-layer power semiconductor devices used as electronic switches.

✓ Thyristors are also called breakdown devices due to the fact that their operation
depends on the phenomenon of avalanche breakdown.
✓ Thyristors are also called latching devices. A latch is a kind of switch which initially
once closed, remains OFF until someone opens it.
✓ The main advantage of thyristors is that they can convert and control large
amounts of power (AC or DC) while using very low power for control.

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 Thyristor family

✓ The gate turn-off thyristor (GTO);

The thyristor family includes:
✓ Silicon controlled switch (SCS);
✓ Silicon controlled rectifier (SCR);
✓ The MOS-controlled thyristor (MCT) and
✓ Diode for alternating current (DIAC);
✓ Light activated silicon controlled rectifier
✓ Triode for alternating current (TRIAC)
(LASCR)
The SCR is the most important member of the thyristor family. SCRs are widely use in
such applications as:
✓ Regulated power supplies;
✓ Static switches;
✓ Choppers;
✓ Inverters;
✓ Cycloconverters;
✓ Heaters;
✓ Lighting and motor control

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 The thyristor

▪ Thyristors are four-layer PNPN power semiconductor devices. These devices

switch between conducting and non conducting states in response to a
control signal.
▪ Thyristors are used in timing circuits, AC motor speed control, light dimmers,
and switching circuits.
▪ Small thyristors are also used as pulse sources for large thyristors. The
thyristor family includes the silicon-controlled rectifier (SCR), the DIAC, the
Triac, the silicon-controlled switch (SCS), and the gate turn-off thyristor (GTO).

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 The Silicon Controlled Rectifier (SCR)

The silicon controlled rectifier (SCR) is the most popular electrical power controller due to its;
✓ Fast switching action,
✓ Small size;
✓ High current and high voltage ratings.
Symbol, structure and operation of SCR:

Two ways of turning ON the SCR:

✓ Firstly, an SCR can be turned ON by increasing the forward-bias to a
value greater than its forward-blocking voltage (forward-breakdown
voltage).
✓ Secondly, When an SCR is forward-biased; anode being positive with
respect to the cathode, a positive voltage on the gate turns ON the SCR.
Note: The second is the most used because it is fast, it provides high
effiency and allows to control the turn ON of the SCR.
One way of turning OFF the SCR:
The SCR is turned OFF by interrupting the Anode current.
Note: Like a diode, an SCR conducts current when forward-biased and
blocks it when reverse-biased.
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Two transistors model of SCR:
The most common explanation of the positive feedback action that results when an SCR switches can be
illustrated using two-transistors model;

POWER ELECTRONICS MODULE _Y2 ELT & ETT

 Two transistors model of SCR:

When the transistors are in off state, the relation between the collector current and emitter
current is shown below

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V-I characteristic of SCR :

The reverse-characteristic of an SCR is similar to that of a power diode.

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SCR have three states(operation modes ): • When the SCR is forward-biased; a small
– Reverse blocking mode — Voltage is forward current called the off-state current
applied in the direction that would be flows through the device. This region of the
blocked by a diode. curve is called forward blocking region.
– Forward blocking mode — Voltage is • However, if the forward-bias is increased
applied in the direction that would cause a until a critical limit called forward-
diode to conduct, but the thyristor has not breakover voltage (VFBO), the SCR turns
yet been triggered into conduction . ON then the SCR voltage drops falls to a
– Forward conducting mode — The low value; the ON-state voltage drops (1-
thyristor has been triggered into 3V), the current increases sharply, limited
conduction and will remain conducting only by the component in series with the
until the forward current drops below a SCR.
threshold value known as the • And it can be seen that; the more the gate
"holding current”. current, the lesser is the forward breakover
voltage.

POWER ELECTRONICS MODULE _Y2 ELT & ETT

 Thyristor (SCR) Triggering

Triggering means turning ON of a device from its off state. Turning ON of a thyristor
refers to thyristor triggering. Thyristor is turned on by increasing the anode current
flowing through it.
The increase in anode current can be achieved by many ways.

1. Voltage Thyristor Triggering

2. Thermal Thyristor Triggering
3. Light Thyristor Triggering
4. dv/dt Triggering
5. Gate Triggering

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 Thyristor (SCR) Triggering

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 Thyristor (SCR) Triggering

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 SCR gate triggering circuit:
For proper operation of circuits SCRs, the trigger circuit should supply the firing
signal at precisely the correct time to assure turn-on when required.

Types of SCR’s gate triggering signals:

There exist three types of SCR gate triggering signals;
✓ DC signals
✓ Pulse signals and
✓ AC signals.

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1. DC signal triggering of SCR:

Disadvantages:
✓ High power dissipation (as a constant DC gate signal will be present on the gate for a long time).
✓ For AC loads, positive gate signal during the negative half-cycle would increase reverse anode current
and possibly destroy the SCR.

Note: The diode D limits the magnitude of negative gate signal at almost 1V, and the resistor RG limits the
gate current. After triggering the removal of the gate signal will not affect the operation of SCR.

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 AC signal triggering of SCR

The most common method of controlling SCRs in AC applications is to derive the

firing signal from the same AC source and to control its application to the SCR
during positive half-cycle.
AC trigger of SCR using simple resistive circuit
Operation:
During positive half-cycles the SCR is
in forward blocking state. At some value
of Vs, the gate current is high enough to
turn ON the SCR. The exact moment of
firing the SCR is controlled by rheostat
R2. Diode (D) ensures that only positive
current is applied to the gate.

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 The SCR of Figure below has gate trigger voltage VT = 0.7V, gate trigger current IT
=IG= 7 mA and holding current IH = 6 mA.
(i) What is the output voltage when the SCR is off ?

(ii) What is the input voltage that triggers the SCR ?

(iii) If VCC is decreased until the SCR opens, what is the value of VCC ?

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 • Solution.
(i) When the SCR is off (i.e. it is not conducting), there is no current through the
100 Ω resistor.
• Vout = Supply voltage VCC = 15V
(i) The input voltage Vin must overcome VT (=0.7V) and also cause 7 mA to flow
through 1 kΩresistor.
• vin = VT + IT R = 0.7 + (7 mA) (1 kΩ)= 7.7V
• In order to open the SCR, the VCC must be reduced so that
• IH= (Vcc-Vt)/100Ω
• Vcc= (100Ω)(IH)=( 100ΩX 6mA )+07 =1.3 V

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The SCR ratings:

The ratings of a semiconductor device give the values for the various conditions that a manufacturer
recommends for reliable operation of the device. The use of the device beyond its ratings may conduct to the
destruction of the device and must be avoided.
SCR current ratings:
✓ Maximum repetitive RMS current: is the forward current that an SCR can carry safely depending on the
maximum junction temperature.
✓ Surge current (IFM or ITSM): is the peak anode current an SCR can handle for a brief duration.
✓ Latching current (IL): is the minimum anode current that must flow in the SCR for it to stay in ON state
after the gate signal is removed.
✓ Holding current (IH): it is the minimum anode current that is required to maintain the SCR in ON state
after the SCR is latched ON. If the anode current falls below the holding current the SCR turns OFF.

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 SCR gate parameters:

✓ Maximum gate peak inverse voltage (VGRM): It is the maximum value of negative DC voltage that
can be applied without damaging the gate-cathode junction.
✓ Maximum gate trigger current (IGTM): is the maximum DC gate current allowed to turn ON the
device.
✓ Maximum gate trigger voltage (VGTM): is the maximum DC gate voltage allowed to turn ON the
device.
✓ Maximum gate power dissipation (PGM): is the maximum power that can be dissipated on the gate-
cathode junction.
✓ Minimum gate trigger voltage (VGT): is the minimum DC gate-to-cathode voltage required to trigger
the SCR.
✓ Minimum gate trigger current (IGT): is the minimum DC gate current necessary to turn ON the SCR.

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 SCR protection

There are different types of thyristor protection schemes

available for satisfactory operation of the device like
• Over voltage protection.
• Over current protection.
• High dv/dt protection.
• High di/dt protection.
• Thermal protection.

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 SCR turn off

There are two ways to drop the SCR out of conduction:

1) Anode current interruption
2) Commutation(Forced and natural).
Anode current can be interrupted by breaking the anode current path, providing a path
around the SCR, or dropping the anode voltage to the point that IA < IH.

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 SCR turn off

SCR turn-off (commutation):

▪ After the SCR is turned-on; the gate loses control. The only way to turn OFF an SCR is to reduce the
anode current to zero.
▪ In AC applications, the turn off of the SCR is achieved when the source reverses during negative half-
cycle. This called natural or line commutation.
▪ In DC applications, additional circuit must be used to turnoff the SCR. This circuit forces a reverse
current to flow through the SCR for a short period to reduce anode current to zero This is called forced
commutation.
The SCR turnoff can be accomplished in the following ways:
✓ Diverting the anode current to an alternate path;
✓ Shorting the SCR from anode to cathode;
✓ Applying a reverse voltage (by making the cathode positive with respect to the anode);
✓ Forcing the anode current to zero for a brief period;
✓ Opening the external path from its anode supply voltage;
✓ Momentarily reducing the supply voltage to zero.

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 SCR turn-off (commutation) circuits

1. SCR turnoff circuit using a transistor switch:

Operation:
When the SCR is ON, the transistor is in the OFF
state. To turn the SCR off, a positive pulse is applied to
the base of the transistor Q, turning it ON. The anode
current of the SCR is diverted to the transistor. The
SCR will turn off when the value of the anode current
falls below the holding current.

2. SCR turnoff circuit using a commutation capacitor:

Operation:
When the main SCR1 is conducting, the capacitor C
charges to the source voltage Vs through RL, initially
with the polarity shown. At this instatant, the SCR2 is
off. To turn SCR1 off, SCR2 is turned on. When the
SCR2 is turned on, the capacitor is switched across
SCR1 applying a reverse voltage across it. If SCR1 is
reverse-biased long enough, it will turn off.

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SCR turn-off (commutation):

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SCR turn off by AC line commutation (natural commutation):

Operation:
During the positive half-cycle of the AC supply; the
SCR is turned on by application of an appropriate
gate signal. During the negative half-cycle the SCR
is reverse-biased and turns off by natural
commutation.

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 SCR Applications

• On-off control of current

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• 220Ω resistor is connected in series with the gate of an SCR as shown in
Fig below .The gate current required to fire the SCR is 7mA. What is the
input voltage (Vin) required to fire the SCR?

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 SCR Applications

• HALF WAVE POWER CONTROL

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 The Diode for Alternating Current (DIAC)

A DIAC is a two-terminal, three layer bidirectional device which can be switched

from its OFF-state to ON-state for either polarity of applied voltage
Symbol and structure, V-I characteristic of a DIAC:

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 The Diode for Alternating Current (DIAC)

Operation:
▪ For all input voltage less than +VBO or − VBO, a small leakage current (± IBO) flows
through the device. Under such conditions, the DIAC blocks the flow of current and
effectively behaves as an open circuit. The voltages +VBO and −VBO are the breakdown
voltages and usually have a range of 30 to 50 volts.
▪ When the positive or negative applied voltage is equal to or greater than the
breakdown voltage,
▪ DIAC begins to conduct and the voltage drop across it becomes a few volts. Conduction
then continues until the device current drops below its holding current. Note that the
breakdown voltage and holding current values are identical for the forward and reverse
regions of operation. Hence a DIAC is a bidirectional device.

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 Application of DIAC:

Diacs are used primarily for triggering of triacs in adjustable phase control of A.C. mains power.
Some of the circuit applications of diac are:
• Light dimming
• Heat control and
• Universal motor speed control.
DIAC lamp dimmer: DIAC heat control

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 The Triode for Alternating Current (TRIAC)

A TRIAC is a three-terminal, bidirectional device which can be switched from its OFF-state to ON-state for
either polarity of applied voltage by applying a proper trigger signal on its gate.
Symbol and structure of a TRIAC:

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 Triode for Alternating Current (TRIAC):

Operation:
▪ When no gate signal is applied to the triac; the triac will be turned ON for
all supply voltage (positive or negative) greater than the break-over
voltage. However this way of turning ON the triac is not used as it requires
high voltage and the turning On-state of triac can’t be controlled.
▪ The normal way of turning ON a triac is by introducing a proper gate
current. This way is the most used as it requires a very low gate current
and the output power of the triac is easily controlled.

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 V-I characteristic of a TRIAC:

Note:
• Once the TRIAC is turned ON; the gate loses all control.
• Once the proper gate signal is applied to the TRIAC; the
TRIAC will starts conducting whether terminal MT2 is
positive or negative with reference to the terminal MT1.
• A TRIAC can be turned ON either with a positive or negative
voltage at its gate.
• A TRIAC is turned OFF by reducing the current through
under the holding current.
• The supply voltage at which the TRIAC turns ON depends
on the value of the gate current. The greater the gate current
the smaller the supply voltage needed to turn ON the TRIAC.
Important terms:
• Holding current: is the minimum current that maintains the TRIAC in its ON-state. Once the current
through TRIAC falls below the holding current the TRIAC turns OFF.

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 Applications of the TRIAC

One fundamental application of TRIAC is to control AC power to the load by switching ON and OFF during
positive and negative half-cycles of the input AC power. It is also used in applications such as:
• Static switch to turn AC power OFF and ON;
• Minimizing radio interference;
• Light control;
• Motor speed control etc
TRIAC for ac load control TRIAC and DIAC for ac load control

Note: The only disadvantage of the TRIAC is that it takes longer to turn OFF, hence its use is limited to frequencies
up to 400Hz.

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 The Silicon Controlled Switch (SCS)

The silicon controlled switch is a four-layer PNPN device which has two gates, an anode gate (AG) and a
cathode gate (KG).

Operation:
To turn it ON; Applying a positive pulse at the cathode gate or by applying a negative pulse at the anode
gate.
To turn it OFF; Applying a Negative pulse at the cathode gate or by applying a positive pulse at the anode
gate.

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 The gate turnoff thyristor (GTO)

The gate turnoff thyristor is a four-layer PNPN device for which the on-state and off-state are controlled by the gate
current. To turn it ON a positive gate signal is applied to its gate while a negative gate signal turns it off.
Symbol and structure of GTO:

GTO vs SCR:
✓ The turn-ON time of GTO is similar to that of SCR, but its turn-off time is much smaller. This allows the use of
GTO in high speed applications.
✓ The voltage and current ratings of available GTO are smaller than those of SCR.
✓ GTOs have higher on-state voltage drops and less leakage currents.
✓ GTO’s gate drive current is higher than that of SCR (This is the man disadvantage of GTO compared to SCR).
✓ GTO has reduced reverse-voltage blocking capability. Therefore, a reverse diode must be connected with the GTO
to protect it against reverse higher reverse voltage.

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 Applications of GTO:

GTO are use in different applications such as:

✓ Motor drives;
✓ Uninterruptible power supplies (UPS);
✓ Static volt ampere reactive (VAR) compensator;
✓ Choppers and
✓ Inverters at high power levels.

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 MOS-Controlled Thyristor (MCT)

The MOS-controlled thyristor (MCT) is a new device that combines the characteristics of a MOSFET and an SCR
✓ It has a low forward voltage drop in the on-state and a low turn-off time;
✓ It has high di/dt and dv/dt capabilities;
✓ It similar in function to GTO but has a low turnoff gate current requirement.
✓ Its main disadvantage is that its reverse voltage blocking capability is very low.
Symbol and structure of MCT:
Operation:
With a positive voltage to the anode w.r.t to the cathode;
the MCT is turned ON by application of a negative voltage
to the gate. Once the MCT is turned ON, the removal of
gate signal will not turn it OFF. To turn it OFF; a positive
voltage is applied to the gate.

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 Light-activate silicon controlled rectifier (LASCR)

It is just an ordinary SCR except that it can also be light-triggered. Most LASCRs also have gate signal for
being triggered by an electrical pulse just as a conventional SCR.
Symbol of LASCR:

Applications of LASCR:
✓ Triggering large SCRs and TRIACs;
✓ Optical light controls;
✓ Relays;
✓ Motor control and variety of computer applications.

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Comparison of transistors and thyristors

POWER ELECTRONICS MODULE _Y2 ELT & ETT