Light-triggered thyristors for electric power systems. Final report

Technical Report · Tue Oct 31 23:00:00 EST 1978

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/6223682· OSTI ID:6223682

Temple, V. A.K.; Ferro, A. P.

A program to develop a method of triggering a 53mm, 2600-volt, 1,000-amp thyristor with a light source is described. Normally, these devices are electrically triggered, but the need for placing a large number of these units in series for high-voltage applications made electrical triggering, with its associated insulation problems, expensive and complex. In this program, a light-sensitive gating method was developed, with associated amplifying layers built integrally into the power thyristor. LEDs and LDs were used as the light source. Fiber optics provided the electrical isolation and transmitted the light directly into the thyristor package. Results were a turn-on capability to handle a voltage rate-of-change of 2000 volts per microsecond, with a light input to the thyristor gate of 30 nanojoules. A problem was encountered and investigated in high rates of current flow at the instant of light trigger. This resulted in excess temperature levels in localized spots where the current flow was initiated. Packaging and light source options are discussed.

• Research Organization: General Electric Co., Schenectady, NY (USA). Research and Development Center
• OSTI ID: 6223682
• Report Number(s): EPRI-EL-932
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

200302* -- Power Transmission & Distribution-- DC Systems-- (1989-)
24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION
CONTROL EQUIPMENT
DC SYSTEMS
DC TO DC CONVERTERS
DESIGN
ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT
ELECTRONIC CIRCUITS
EQUIPMENT
FIBER OPTICS
HVDC SYSTEMS
LIGHT SOURCES
OPTICAL SYSTEMS
PERFORMANCE
POWER SYSTEMS
RADIATION SOURCES
SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES
SWITCHING CIRCUITS
THYRISTORS