Light-triggered thyristors for electric power systems
Abstract
A program to develop a method of triggering a 53mm, 2600-volts, 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. 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.
- Publication:
-
Final Report General Electric Co
- Pub Date:
- November 1978
- Bibcode:
- 1978gec..rept.....T
- Keywords:
-
- Electrification;
- Light Sources;
- Thyristors;
- Trigger Circuits;
- Electrical Insulation;
- Fiber Optics;
- High Temperature;
- Electronics and Electrical Engineering