Integrated gate-commutated thyristor

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Integrated gate-commutated thyristor
The Integrated Gate-Commutated Thyristor (IGCT) is a power semiconductor electronic device, used for
switching electric current in industrial equipment. It is related to the gate turn-off (GTO) thyristor. It was jointly
developed by Mitsubishi and ABB. Like the GTO thyristor, the IGCT is a fully controllable power switch, meaning
that it can be turned both on and off by its control terminal (the gate). Gate drive electronics are integrated with the
thyristor device.
[1]
Device Description
Circuit symbol for an IGCT
An IGCT is a special type of thyristor similar to a GTO. They can be turned on and
off by a gate signal, have lower conduction loss as compared to GTOs, and
withstand higher rates of voltage rise (dv/dt), such that no snubber is required for
most applications.
The structure of an IGCT is very similar to a GTO thyristor. In an IGCT, the gate
turn off current is greater than the anode current. This results in a complete
elimination of minority carrier injection from the lower PN junction and faster turn
off times. The main difference is a reduction in cell size, plus a much more
substantial gate connection with much lower inductance in the gate drive circuit and
drive circuit connection. The very high gate currents plus fast dI/dt rise of the gate
current means that regular wires can not be used to connect the gate drive to the
IGCT. The drive circuit PCB is integrated into the package of the device. The drive circuit surrounds the device and
a large circular conductor attaching to the edge of the IGCT is used. The large contact area and short distance
reduces both the inductance and resistance of the connection.
The IGCT's much faster turn-off times compared to the GTO's allows them to operate at higher frequenciesup to
several of kHz for very short periods of time. However, because of high switching losses, typical operating
frequency up to 500Hz.
Reverse Bias
IGCT are available with or without reverse blocking capability. Reverse blocking capability adds to the forward
voltage drop because of the need to have a long, low doped P1 region.
IGCT capable of blocking reverse voltage are known as symmetrical IGCT, abbreviated S-IGCT. Usually, the
reverse blocking voltage rating and forward blocking voltage rating are the same. The typical application for
symmetrical IGCT is in current source inverters.
IGCT incapable of blocking reverse voltage are known as asymmetrical IGCT, abbreviated A-IGCT. They typically
have a reverse breakdown rating in the 10's of volts. A-IGCT are used where either a reverse conducting diode is
applied in parallel (for example, in voltage source inverters) or where reverse voltage would never occur (for
example, in switching power supplies or DC traction choppers).
Asymmetrical IGCT can be fabricated with a reverse conducting diode in the same package. These are known as
RC-IGCT, for reverse conducting IGCT.
Integrated gate-commutated thyristor
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Applications
The main applications are in variable frequency inverters, drives and traction.
Manufacturers
ABB Switzerland Ltd Semiconductors
[2]
Mitsubishi Electric Semiconductors
[3]
References
[1] Eric Carroll, "IGCTs: Moving on the Right Track" , Power Electronics Technology, Aug 1, 2002 (http:/ / powerelectronics. com/ mag/
power_igcts_moving_right/ ), retrieved on Jan 8, 2010.
[2] http:/ / www. ABB.com/ semiconductors
[3] http:/ / www. mitsubishichips. com/ Global/ index. html
External links
'IGCT Technology-A Quantum Leap', pdf (http:/ / library. abb.com/ GLOBAL/ SCOT/ scot256. nsf/
VerityDisplay/ 8A60BB3F28511176C1256B9D004B7956/ $File/ Tu99hg. pdf)
Article Sources and Contributors
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Article Sources and Contributors
Integrated gate-commutated thyristor Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=608218746 Contributors: Alynna Kasmira, Bwpach, Chris the speller, Electron9, Humanoc,
IluvatarTheOne, John Cline, Mattingly23, Nikhilb239, Onymousalk, RJFJR, Raumfahrtingenieur, Solarcaine, Sosthenes12, Theodore Kloba, Tommy2010, UdayanBanerjee, Wdwd, Wefoij,
Wikichesterdit, 25 anonymous edits
Image Sources, Licenses and Contributors
Image:Igct circuit symbol5.svg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Igct_circuit_symbol5.svg License: Public Domain Contributors: Wdwd, Wikichesterdit
License
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