Development of a voltage break-over function in a light-triggered thyristor. Final report
- General Electric Co., Schenectady, NY (United States). Corporate Research and Development Center
This report covers the last phase of the EPRI/GE advanced light-triggered thyristor project. The goal of this project was to develop a direct light-triggered thyristor (LTT) with a built-in voltage break-over (V{sub BO}) protective function. This function is necessary because when a thyristor is exposed to an overvoltage, avalanches are formed through which the current begins to conduct. Usually, the avalanche sites are small and the follow-on energy dissipation is large so the device overheats and loses its ability to block voltage (that is, internal short circuits have developed). It is therefore necessary to increase the size of the avalanche area and limit the amount of follow-on current. There are several possible approaches for this. The approach emphasized in this work was introduction of a gate junction curvature that would lower the turn-on voltage of the thyristor in a region from which safe turn-on would initiate. Efforts targeted a separate light-triggered thyristor (SLTT), used as a pilot device for controlling large, conventional, electrically triggered thyristors. It was proposed that successful development of a self-protected SLTT could be followed by transfer of the technology to an LTT. This research resulted in a greater understanding of the design parameters governing safe overvoltage turn-on of thyristors, which eventually may lead to improved power-electronics-based equipment for utilities. 51 figs., 14 tabs.
- Research Organization:
- Electric Power Research Inst., Palo Alto, CA (United States); General Electric Co., Schenectady, NY (United States). Corporate Research and Development Center
- Sponsoring Organization:
- Electric Power Research Inst., Palo Alto, CA (United States)
- OSTI ID:
- 414366
- Report Number(s):
- EPRI-TR--107013
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Advanced light-triggered thyristor. Final report
Field evaluation of industry's first self-protected, light-triggered thyristor