EC 406 POWER ELECTRONICS

1 MODULE III

Lecture Slides

EC 406 IPE

2/26/2013

Thyristor Commutation Schemes

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SCR starts conducting forward I increases gate has no control on it device back to blocking state by reducing the forward current to a level below that of the holding current. Process of turn OFF is called commutation. Commutation means transfer of current from one path to another. Ie. when SCR is turned off current carried by it has to be transferred to another part of the circuit.
EC 406 IPE

2/26/2013

Classification
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Commutation can be classified into :

1. Natural commutation in a.c. circuits, the current always passes through zero every half cycle. As the current passes through natural zero, a reverse voltage will simultaneously appear across the device. This immediately turns off the device. Since no external circuit is required for this purpose.

EC 406 IPE

2/26/2013

2. Forced commutation
In d.c circuits forward current has to be forced to zero by an external circuit inorder to turn off the SCR. Basic principle of forced commutation to decrease the SCR current below the holding current of the device. External circuits required commutation circuits. Components inductance and capacitance used to achieve forced commutation commutating components. Forced commutation is classified as class A, B, C, D, E and F. Classification based on the arrangement of commutating components and the method to achieve zero current and reverse voltage across the SCR.
EC 406 IPE

2/26/2013

Class A commutation (series resonant commutation by an LC circuit)

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In this method, value of commutating components L and C are selected so as to form a underdamped circuit with R2< 4L/C. When SCR is turned ON by a gate pulse, an oscillatory current flows in the circuit. Capacitor is charged up to the supply voltage V as the oscillatory current reaches its peak value. When the capacitor charges to the point wt= /2, the induced voltage in the inductor L opposes the oscillatory current. Beyond wt= /2, the oscillatory current decreases from the peak value, the induced voltage in the inductor changes its sign according to Lenzs law.
EC 406 IPE

2/26/2013

Class A
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Again capacitor charges from the supply voltage V to a higher voltage which is 2V. When the capacitor is completely charged up to 2V, a differentiated voltage of (2V-V) = V appears across the capacitor, reflects at the cathode of the SCR & turn it off.

EC 406 IPE

2/26/2013

Class A commutation
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EC 406 IPE

2/26/2013

Class B commutation (parallel resonant commutation by an LC circuit)

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Commutating components L &C are connected across the SCR. When supply voltage is applied, capacitor C is initially charged to the voltage V with upper plate positive. When SCR (T) is triggered conducting load current iR flows through V+ T load V- . At the same time the stored charge on the capacitor drives an oscillatory current through the capacitor, C+ SCR(T) L C- . After getting completely discharged, it starts getting charged with opposite polarity. ie. lower plate +ve. becoz of this reverse voltage, a negative current (commutating current) starts flowing.
EC 406 IPE

2/26/2013

Class B
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This negative current opposes the load current. When the commutating current Ic is greater than the load current, thyristor T becomes turned OFF.

EC 406 IPE

2/26/2013

Class B commutation
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EC 406 IPE

2/26/2013

Class C commutation (Complementary commutation)

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It uses main thyristor T1 and a complementary thyristor T2. Triggering of one SCR turns off the other SCR. Mode1: When triggering pulse is applied to the gate of T1, thyristor T1 is triggered. Load current flows through V+R1 T1 V- . Capacitor C is charged to supply volatge,V through V+ R2 C T1 VVC1 = -V

EC 406 IPE

2/26/2013

Class C
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Mode 2: When a triggering pulse is applied to gate of T2. T2 turned ON. As soon as T2 is ON, negative polarity of the capacitor C is applied to the anode of T1. This causes reverse voltage across the main thyristor T1 and turns it OFF. Charging current flows from V+R1C T2 VThis charging current charges the capacitor to supply voltage with reverse polarity. VC1 = V

EC 406 IPE

2/26/2013

Class C
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Mode 3: When thyristor T1 is triggered, the discharging current of capacitor turns the complementary thyristor T2 OFF.

EC 406 IPE

2/26/2013

Class C commutation
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EC 406 IPE

2/26/2013

Class D commutation (Auxiliary Commutation)

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In this method, an inductor, diode and an auxilliary thyristor T2 is required to commutate the main thyristor T1. Mode1: Initially SCR T2 is triggered. Capacitor C is charged through V+C T2 RL VWhen capacitor C is fully charged, SCR T2 turns OFF. ie. when T1 is triggered, the charge on capacitor C reverse biases T2 and turns it off. VC =V

EC 406 IPE

2/26/2013

Class D
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Mode 2: When T1 is triggered, load current flows through V+T1 RL VCapacitor discharges through C+T1 L D Cie. sinusoidal capacitor current ic After the capacitor has completely discharged , the polarity will be reversed. Vc = -V Becoz of the oscillatory sinusoidal current, ic the charge on C is reversed and then held in this condition. Since diode D prevents any reverse current through this loop, ic will be only a sinusoid of positive half cycle.
2/26/2013

EC 406 IPE

Class D
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At any desired time, T2 may be triggered which then places capacitor C across T1, reverse biases T1 and turns it off.

EC 406 IPE

2/26/2013

Class D commutation
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EC 406 IPE

2/26/2013

Class E commutation (External Pulse Commutation)

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SCR T1 is turned off by means of a transistor switch Q. SCR is initially on load current flows through V+ SCR RLV A signal applied to base of transistor Q turns it on and reverse biases the SCR. SCR is now turned off.

EC 406 IPE

2/26/2013

Class E commutation
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EC 406 IPE

2/26/2013

Class F commutation
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EC 406 IPE

2/26/2013

Class F commutation (AC Line Commutation)

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Here commutation is forced by the opposite half cycle of the ac supply. Actually the negative ac voltage of the line reverse biases the SCR and turns it off. Since external commutating components are not required to commutate the conducting SCR, this commutation is not referred as forced commutation. This method known as AC line commutation or natural commutation.

EC 406 IPE

2/26/2013

Three phase fully controlled converter with R load

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EC 406 IPE

2/26/2013

Three phase fully controlled converter with R load

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Circuit consists of two groups of thyristors : one is positive group and other is negative group. T1, T3, T5 form the positive group becoz they conduct when supply voltage is +ve. T2, T4, T6 form the negative group becoz they conduct when supply voltage is ve. In this circuit, two thyristors are always turned on. ie. trigger simultaneously two SCRs at a time, one of the upper arms and other of the lower arms.

EC 406 IPE

2/26/2013

Three phase fully controlled converter with R load

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EC 406 IPE

2/26/2013