EE 4030

THYRISTOR SWITCH OPERATION

Instructed by: Mr. R. Jayawardena Name Index No Group Field : Thilanga U.G.A.D : 070496K : 10 : EE

Date of performance: 10/12/2010

Discussion
Advantages of using a Thyristor switch in place of a mechanical switch It has a longer life time compared to mechanical switch. This is because there are no moving parts for operation and it is a chemical reaction which takes place when switching When it is switching like in mechanical switching, there are no transients or electric sparks. In thyristors current transient doesnt exist like in mechanical switch. Because of that thyristors can be used in flammable environments but mechanical switches cannot be used as there is a risk of fire in such environment due to electric spark generation. Compact and Robust construction enables reliable, accurate, flexible and longer operation compared with mechanical switch. It is a law power consuming switching unit and has a better power handling capability. In mechanical switch, it produces heat due to coil resistances and heat is dissipated as power loss. Since there is no coil resistance in thyristors, there wont be large power consumption like in mechanical switches. Thyristor has a faster operation compared to mechanical switch, it is very much fast in switching. Maximum switching frequency of a mechanical switch is around 10Hz and for thyristor switch that can be kHz range. Compare with sizes of two types of switches, thyristor switch has low size. So this advantage can use to make low size devices Maintain cost for thyristors is very low compare with mechanical switches. Because mechanical switch are need to lubricating, preventing corroding methods etc. Thyristor switches can operate under high power. But mechanical switches under high power, it can be cause to generate arc between two poles of switches. According to the requirement, suitable thyristors can be chosen from manufacturers tabulated details. In mechanical switches due to moving parts, vibration exists when switching. But in thyristors there is no moving part to introduce vibrations. Not as for mechanical switches, it is easy to control the thyristor by electric pulses or signals, For mechanical switches, another elements (transducers) are needed to control from electric signals.

 Applications where the Thyristor is being used over mechanical switches

1) Automobiles, power generation, rectifications, due to compact size of thyristor mounting use for these applications 2) Electronic fan regulators, since it is cause to compact size, low power consumption. 3) Stepper motor control circuit, stepper motors required correctness movement and so thyristor switches use for that. 4) Three phase inverter-switching circuits, due to high switching frequency thyristor switches use for that. Mechanical switches dont use. 5) Dam gate controllers, for dam gate controlling via electric motors and due to capability of high power handling thyristor switches are used. 6) Barrier controlling of car parks, reason for using it is capability of high power handling.

Comparison of the operation of DC and AC switch -

DC switch Thyristor is a device which conducts only one direction. For conducting the thyristor, dc

voltage pulse is applied at the gate terminal. After that it remains ON state although the gate pulse

removed. Therefore thyristor can only be switched off if the external circuit causes it to become reverse biased or current to be lower than the holding current. This OFF state achieved by using a commutative circuit since there is no natural reversal for DC supply as in AC supply. That circuit
contains charged capacitor which is used to stop the conduction of thyristor and series inductor. . The

current through the Thyristor builds up and completes a half cycle. The inductor current will then attempt to flow through the Thyristor in the reverse direction and the Thyristor will be turned off.

AC switch In these switches, there is no need to use commutating circuit. Switch on and switch off both

can be done by gate circuit. That is because; we can use the natural behavior of ac supply to achieve the switching operation. For that use two oppositely situated thyristors. In the each cycle the two thyristors get fired separately. So in each cycle one of these is conduct and other is reverse biased. These conductions continue sequentially until the gate voltage stops.

How the over current opening be used to protect a power electronic circuit

Most of the times passing high current through electronic devices, cause to damage those devices. So protection of thoses devices against over current is more important. Because most electronic devices more expensive and those are very sensitive. Thyristor switch is very easily employed in a power electronics circuit to avoid over currents. Over current detector generates a voltage signal and that signal can be applied to the gate terminal of the thyristor such that the firing of the thyristor will allow the over current to bypass the power electronic device. Since this can be achieved very fast the damages for the power electronics devices can be reduced.

Advanatages of light trgering in practical circuit

Providing electrical isolation between control circuit and load circuit. Thus damages which can happen to control circuit by load circuit transients are avoided. Elimination of noise Providing electrical safety, by isolating circuitry which may harm human. Low power consumption