Evaluation of the GTO for 270 MVA interrupter applications

Conference · Tue Oct 01 04:00:00 EDT 1985 · IEEE Trans. Nucl. Sci.; (United States)

OSTI ID:6122377

Eshani, M; Kernaghan, W H

The fundamental problem of interrupting a direct current is producing a current zero which will allow for the elimination of current flow. Historically, external circuits have been used to extinguish a plasma (arc) conducting medium by counterpulsing the arc current to zero. Preliminary results show that solid-state dc interrupters utilizing gate turnoff thyristors can provide for reduced capacitive energy storage requirements over vacuum interrupters and SCRs in creating a current zero. Additionally, the hardware required in the gate circuit of the GTO is significantly reduced over the counterpulse circuits in vacuum interrupters and SCRs by taking advantage of the turn-off gain available in the GTO. Interrupters designed around the GTO can have applications in the power conditioning and protection circuits of particle accelerators and fusion reactors.

• Research Organization: Electrical Engineering Department, Texas AandM University, College Station, TX
• OSTI ID: 6122377
• Report Number(s): CONF-850504-
• Conference Information: Journal Name: IEEE Trans. Nucl. Sci.; (United States) Journal Volume: NS-32:5
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS
430100* -- Particle Accelerators-- Design
Development
& Operation
ACCELERATORS
ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT
ELECTRONIC CIRCUITS
ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT
EQUIPMENT
EQUIPMENT PROTECTION DEVICES
GATING CIRCUITS
PERFORMANCE
POWER CONDITIONING CIRCUITS
POWER SUPPLIES
SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES
SEMICONDUCTOR SWITCHES
SWITCHES
SWITCHING CIRCUITS
THYRISTORS