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INTRODUCTION
In practice it becomes necessary to turn off a conducting thyristor. (Often
thyristors are used as switches to turn on and off power to the load). The process of
turning off a conducting thyristor is called commutation. The principle involved is that
either the anode should be made negative with respect to cathode (voltage commutation)
or the anode current should be reduced below the holding current value (current
commutation).
The reverse voltage must be maintained for a time at least equal to the turn-off
time of SCR otherwise a reapplication of a positive voltage will cause the thyristor to
conduct even without a gate signal. On similar lines the anode current should be held at a
value less than the holding current at least for a time equal to turn-off time otherwise the
SCR will start conducting if the current in the circuit increases beyond the holding current
level even without a gate signal. Commutation circuits have been developed to hasten the
turn-off process of Thyristors. The study of commutation techniques helps in
understanding the transient phenomena under switching conditions.
The reverse voltage or the small anode current condition must be maintained for a
time at least equal to the TURN OFF time of SCR; Otherwise the SCR may again start
conducting. The techniques to turn off a SCR can be broadly classified as
• Natural Commutation
• Forced Commutation.
vs ~ ↑ R ↑ vo
134
Supply voltage vs Sinusoidal
π 3π ωt
0 2π
ωt
α
Load voltage vo
Turn off
occurs here
ωt
π 3π ωt
0 2π
FORCED COMMUTATION
When supply is DC, natural commutation is not possible because the polarity of
the supply remains unchanged. Hence special methods must be used to reduce the SCR
current below the holding value or to apply a negative voltage across the SCR for a time
interval greater than the turn off time of the SCR. This technique is called FORCED
COMMUTATION and is applied in all circuits where the supply voltage is DC - namely,
Choppers (fixed DC to variable DC), inverters (DC to AC). Forced commutation
techniques are as follows:
• Self Commutation
• Resonant Pulse Commutation
• Complementary Commutation
• Impulse Commutation
• External Pulse Commutation.
• Load Side Commutation.
135
• Line Side Commutation.
SELF COMMUTATION OR LOAD COMMUTATION OR CLASS A
COMMUTATION: (COMMUTATION BY RESONATING THE LOAD)
In this type of commutation the current through the SCR is reduced below the
holding current value by resonating the load. i.e., the load circuit is so designed that even
though the supply voltage is positive, an oscillating current tends to flow and when the
current through the SCR reaches zero, the device turns off. This is done by including an
inductance and a capacitor in series with the load and keeping the circuit under-damped.
Figure 1.3 shows the circuit.
This type of commutation is used in Series Inverter Circuit.
T L Vc(0)
i R + -
Load C
At t = 0 , when the SCR turns ON on the application of gate pulse assume the
current in the circuit is zero and the capacitor voltage is VC ( 0 ) .
Writing the Laplace Transformation circuit of figure 1.3 the following circuit is
obtained when the SCR is conducting.
1 VC(0)
sL CS S
T R I(S) + - + -
C
V
S
Fig.: 1.4.
136
V − VC ( 0 )
I (S) = S
1
R + sL +
CS
CS V − VC ( 0 )
= S
RCs + s 2 LC + 1
C V − VC ( 0 )
=
R 1
LC s 2 + s +
L LC
V − VC ( 0 )
= L
R 1
s +s +
2
L LC
(V − V ( 0 ) )
C
= L
2 2
R 1 R R
s2 + s + + −
L LC 2 L 2 L
(V − V ( 0 ) )
C
= L
2
R 1 R
2 2
s + + −
2 L LC 2 L
A
= ,
(s +δ ) +ω2
2
Where
A=
(V − V ( 0 ) ) ,
C
δ=
R
ω=
1 R
−
2
,
L 2L LC 2L
A ω
I (S) =
ω ( s + δ )2 + ω 2
137
Taking inverse Laplace transforms
A −δ t
i (t ) = e sin ω t
ω
V − VC ( 0 ) −R
i (t ) =
t
e 2 L sin ω t
ωL
ωL
vc = V − vR − VL
di
vc = V − iR − L
dt
Substituting for i,
A −δ t dA
vc = V − R e sin ω t − L e −δ t sin ω t
ω dt ω
A −δ t
vc = V − e [ R sin ω t + ω L cos ω t − Lδ sin ω t ]
ω
A −δ t R
vc = V − e R sin ω t + ω L cos ω t − L sin ω t
ω 2L
A −δ t R
vc = V − e sin ω t + ω L cos ω t
ω 2
Substituting for A,
vc ( t ) = V −
(V − V ( 0 ) ) e −δ t R
2 sin ω t + ω L cos ω t
C
ωL
vc ( t ) = V −
(V − V ( 0 ) ) e −δ t R
2 L sin ω t + ω cos ω t
C
138
SCR turns off when current goes to zero. i.e., at ω t = π .
(V − V ( 0 ) ) e −δπ
vc = V −
C ω
( 0 + ω cos π )
ω
− δπ
vc = V + V − VC ( 0 ) e ω
− Rπ
Therefore vc = V + V − VC ( 0 ) e 2 Lω
2
R 1
That is <
2L LC
V t
i= sin
ωL LC
1
But ω=
LC
V t C t
Therefore i= LC sin =V sin
L LC L LC
• Figure 1.5 shows the waveforms for the above conditions. Once the SCR turns off
voltage across it is negative voltage.
π
• Conduction time of SCR = .
ω
139
C
V
L Current i
ωt
0 π/2 π
2V
Capacitor voltage
V
ωt
Gate pulse
ωt
ωt
−V
Voltage across SCR
Fig. 1.5: Self Commutation – Wave forms of Current and Capacitors Voltage
Problem 1.1 : Calculate the conduction time of SCR and the peak SCR current that flows
in the circuit employing series resonant commutation (self commutation or class A
commutation), if the supply voltage is 300 V, C = 1µF, L = 5 mH and RL = 100 Ω.
Assume that the circuit is initially relaxed.
T RL L C
+ −
100 Ω 5 mH 1 µF
V
=300V
Fig. 1.6.
140
Solution:
2
1 RL
ω= −
LC 2 L
2
1 100
ω= −3 −6
− −3
5 ×10 ×1 ×10 2 × 5 ×10
Since the circuit is initially relaxed, initial voltage across capacitor is zero as also
the initial current through L and the expression for current i is
V −δ t R
i= e sin ω t , where δ = ,
ωL 2L
V
Therefore peak value of i=
ωL
300
i= = 6A
10000 × 5 × 10−3
π π
Conducting time of SCR = = = 0.314msec
ω 10000
Problem 1.2 : Figure 1.7 shows a self commutating circuit. The inductance carries an
initial current of 200 A and the initial voltage across the capacitor is V, the supply
voltage. Determine the conduction time of the SCR and the capacitor voltage at turn off.
L T i(t)
→ IO
10 µH
C +
V 50 µF − VC(0)=V
=100V
Fig. 1.7.
141
Solution :
The transformed circuit of figure 1.7 is shown in figure 1.8.
sL IOL
− +
I(S) +
VC(0)
=V
+ − S
V
S − 1
CS
V V ( 0) 1
= I ( S ) sL − IO L + C + I (S )
s s Cs
V VC ( 0 )
− + IO L
Therefore I (S) = s s
1
sL +
Cs
V VC ( 0 )
− Cs
I (S) = s s I LCs
+ 2O
s LC + 1
2
s LC + 1
V − VC ( 0 ) C
I (S) =
IO LCs
+
1 1
LC s 2 + LC s 2 +
LC LC
V − VC ( 0 ) sIO
I (S) = +
L s + ω
2 2
s +ω2
2
V − VC ( 0 ) ω
I (S ) =
sI 1
+ 2 O 2 where ω =
ω L s + ω s + ω
2 2
LC
Taking inverse LT
C
i ( t ) = V − VC ( 0 ) sin ω t + I O cos ω t
L
142
The capacitor voltage is given by
t
1
vc ( t ) = i ( t ) dt + VC ( 0 )
C ∫0
1
t
C
vc ( t ) = ∫ V − VC ( 0 ) sin ω t + I O cos ω t dt + VC ( 0 )
C 0 L
1 (V − VC ( 0 ) ) C t I t
vc ( t ) = ( − cos ω t ) + O ( sin ω t ) + VC ( 0 )
C ω L o ω o
1 (V − VC ( 0 ) ) C I
vc ( t ) = (1 − cos ω t ) + O ( sin ω t ) + VC ( 0 )
C ω L ω
× LC sin ω t + (V − VC ( 0 ) ) LC
IO 1 C
vc ( t ) = (1 − cos ω t ) + VC ( 0 )
C C L
L
vc ( t ) = IO sin ω t + V − V cos ω t − VC ( 0 ) + VC ( 0 ) cos ω t + VC ( 0 )
C
sin ω t − (V − VC ( 0 ) ) cos ω t + V
L
vc ( t ) = I O
C
In this problem VC ( 0 ) = V
L
vc ( t ) = IO sin ω t + V
C
143
The waveforms are as shown in figure 1.9
I0
i(t)
ωt
π/2
vc(t)
ωt
π/2
Fig.: 1.9
π
Turn off occurs at a time to so that ω tO =
2
0.5π
Therefore tO = = 0.5π LC
ω
L
vc ( tO ) = I O sin ω tO + V
C
10 × 10 −6
vc ( tO ) = 200 −6
sin 900 + 100
50 ×10
35.12
vc ( tO ) = 200 × 0.447 × sin + 100
22.36
144
Problem 1.3: In the circuit shown in figure 1.10. V = 600 volts, initial capacitor voltage
is zero, L = 20 µH, C = 50µF and the current through the inductance at the time of SCR
triggering is Io = 350 A. Determine (a) the peak values of capacitor voltage and current
(b) the conduction time of T1.
L T1
→ I0
i(t)
V C
Fig. 1.10
Solution:
(Refer to problem 1.2).
i ( t ) can be written as
C
i ( t ) = IO2 + V 2 sin (ω t + α )
L
L
IO
where α = tan −1 C
V
1
and ω=
LC
C
I O2 + V 2
L
50 ×10 −6
= 350 2 + 600 2 × = 1011.19 A
20 ×10 −6
145
The expression for capacitor voltage is
sin ω t − (V − VC ( 0 ) ) cos ω t + V
L
vc ( t ) = I O
C
L
with VC ( 0 ) = 0, vc ( t ) = I O sin ω t − V cos ω t + V
C
L
vc ( t ) = V 2 + IO2 sin (ω t − β ) + V
C
C
V
Where β = tan −1 L
IO
L
= V 2 + IO2 +V
C
20 ×10−6
= 600 2 + 350 2 × + 600
50 ×10−6
ωt
α 0
π−α
Fig. 1.11.
146
π −α
Therefore conduction time of SCR =
ω
L
IO
π − tan −1 C
V
=
1
LC
350 20 ×10−6
α = tan −1
600 50 ×10−6
1 1
ω= = = 31622.8 rad/sec
LC 20 × 10 × 50 ×10−6
−6
π − 0.3534
= = 88.17µ sec
31622.8
L
T
i
a
b C
IL
V
Load
FWD
147
This is a type of commutation in which a LC series circuit is connected across the
SCR. Since the commutation circuit has negligible resistance it is always under-damped
i.e., the current in LC circuit tends to oscillate whenever the SCR is on.
Initially the SCR is off and the capacitor is charged to V volts with plate ‘a’ being
positive. Referring to figure 1.13 at t = t1 the SCR is turned ON by giving a gate pulse. A
current I L flows through the load and this is assumed to be constant. At the same time
SCR short circuits the LC combination which starts oscillating. A current ‘i’ starts
flowing in the direction shown in figure. As ‘i’ reaches its maximum value, the capacitor
voltage reduces to zero and then the polarity of the capacitor voltage reverses ‘b’ becomes
positive). When ‘i’ falls to zero this reverse voltage becomes maximum, and then
direction of ‘i’ reverses i.e., through SCR the load current I L and ‘i’ flow in opposite
direction. When the instantaneous value of ‘i’ becomes equal to I L , the SCR current
becomes zero and the SCR turns off. Now the capacitor starts charging and its voltage
reaches the supply voltage with plate a being positive. The related waveforms are shown
in figure 1.13.
Gate pulse
of SCR
t
t1 π
V
Capacitor voltage
vab
t
tC
Ip i
t
π
IL ω
∆t
ISCR
Voltage across
SCR
t
148
EXPRESSION FOR tc , THE CIRCUIT TURN OFF TIME
Assume that at the time of turn off of the SCR the capacitor voltage vab ≈ −V and
load current I L is constant. tc is the time taken for the capacitor voltage to reach 0 volts
from – V volts and is derived as follows.
t
1 c
V = ∫ I L dt
C0
I L tc
V=
C
VC
tc = seconds
IL
For proper commutation tc should be greater than tq , the turn off time of T. Also,
the magnitude of I p , the peak value of i should be greater than the load current I L and
the expression for i is derived as follows
T i
+
C VC(0)
− =V
Fig. 1.14.
I(S)
sL
T 1
Cs
+
V
− s
Fig. 1.15.
149
V
I (S) = s
1
sL +
Cs
V
Cs
I ( S ) = 2
s
s LC + 1
VC
I (S) =
1
LC s 2 +
LC
V 1
I (S) = ×
L s2 + 1
LC
1
V LC
I (S) = ×
1
×
L s2 + 1 1
LC LC
1
C LC
I (S) =V ×
L s2 + 1
LC
Taking inverse LT
C
i (t ) = V sin ω t
L
1
Where ω=
LC
V
Or i (t ) = sin ω t = I p sin ω t
ωL
C
Therefore Ip = V amps .
L
150
EXPRESSION FOR CONDUCTION TIME OF SCR
For figure 1.13 (waveform of i), the conduction time of SCR
π
= + ∆t
ω
I
sin −1 L
π I
= + p
ω ω
1
vc ( t ) = iC ( t ).dt
C∫
1 C
vc ( t ) = ∫ VC ( 0 ) sin ω t.dt .
C L
vc ( t ) = −VC ( 0 ) cos ω t
T1 iC(t) IL
C L iC(t) T2
ab
− +
VC(0) L
V T3 O
A
FWD D
151
When ic ( t ) becomes equal to I L (the load current), the current through T1
becomes zero and T1 turns off. This happens at time t1 such that
t1
I L = I p sin
LC
C
I p = VC ( 0 )
L
I L
t1 = LC sin −1 L
V ( 0 ) C
C
Once the thyristor T1 turns off, the capacitor starts charging towards the supply
voltage through T2 and load. As the capacitor charges through the load capacitor current
is same as load current I L , which is constant. When the capacitor voltage reaches V, the
supply voltage, the FWD starts conducting and the energy stored in L charges C to a still
higher voltage. The triggering of T3 reverses the polarity of the capacitor voltage and the
circuit is ready for another triggering of T1 . The waveforms are shown in figure 1.17.
EXPRESSION FOR tc
Assuming a constant load current I L which charges the capacitor
CV1
tc = seconds
IL
Normally V1 ≈ VC ( 0 )
For reliable commutation tc should be greater than tq , the turn off time of SCR T1 .
It is to be noted that tc depends upon I L and becomes smaller for higher values of load
current.
152
Current iC(t)
V
Capacitor
voltage vab
t
t1
V1
tC
VC(0)
D2
iC(t)
T1 IL
C L iC(t) T2
- +
VC(0)
L
T3 O
V A
FWD D
Fig. 1.17(a)
153
iC
IL
0 t
VC
0 t
t1 t2
V1
VC(O) tC
Fig. 1.17(b)
t2 = π LC − t1
VC ( t2 ) = −VC ( O ) cos ω t2
Problem 1.4 : The circuit in figure 1.18 shows a resonant pulse commutation circuit. The
initial capacitor voltage VC (O ) = 200V , C = 30µF and L = 3µH. Determine the circuit
turn off time tc , if the load current I L is (a) 200 A and (b) 50 A.
154
T1 IL
C L iC(t) T2
− +
VC(0)
L
T3 O
V A
FWD D
Fig. 1.18.
Solution
(a) When I L = 200 A
Let T2 be triggered at t = 0 .
The capacitor current ic ( t ) reaches a value I L at t = t1 , when T1 turns off
I L
t1 = LC sin −1 L
V ( 0 ) C
C
200 3 ×10−6
t1 = 3 × 10−6 × 30 ×10−6 sin −1
200 30 ×10−6
t1 = 3.05µ sec .
1 1
ω= =
LC 3 ×10−6 × 30 ×10−6
V1 = 200 × 0.9487
V1 = 189.75 Volts
CV1
and tc =
IL
155
30 ×10 −6 ×189.75
tc = = 28.46µ sec .
200
(b) When I L = 50 A
50 3 ×10−6
t1 = 3 × 10−6 × 30 ×10−6 sin −1
200 30 ×10−6
t1 = 0.749µ sec .
CV1
tc =
IL
30 ×10 −6 × 200
tc = = 120 µ sec .
50
Problem 1.4a : Repeat the above problem for I L = 200 A , if an antiparallel diode D2 is
connected across thyristor T1 as shown in figure 1.18a.
D2
iC(t)
T1 IL
C L iC(t) T2
- +
VC(0)
L
T3 O
V A
FWD D
Fig. 1.18(a)
156
Solution
I L = 200 A
Let T2 be triggered at t = 0 .
Capacitor current iC ( t ) reaches the value I L at t = t1 , when T1 turns off
I L
Therefore t1 = LC sin −1 L
VC ( O ) C
200 3 ×10−6
t1 = 3 × 10−6 × 30 ×10−6 sin −1
200 30 ×10−6
` t1 = 3.05µ sec .
1 1
ω= =
LC 3 ×10−6 × 30 ×10−6
At t = t1
VC ( t1 ) = V1 = −VC ( O ) cos ω t1
VC ( t1 ) = −189.75V
t2 = π LC − t1
t2 = 26.75µ sec .
1 1
ω= =
LC 3 ×10 × 30 ×10−6
−6
157
At t = t2
VC ( t2 ) = V2 = −200 cos 0.105 ×10 +6 × 26.75 × 10−6
VC ( t2 ) = V2 = 189.02 V
tC = 23.7 µ secs
Problem 1.5: For the circuit shown in figure 1.19 calculate the value of L for proper
commutation of SCR. Also find the conduction time of SCR.
4 µF
V
=30V L
RL i
30 Ω IL
Fig. 1.19.
Solution:
V 30
The load current I L =
= = 1 Amp
RL 30
For proper SCR commutation I p , the peak value of resonant current i, should be
greater than I L ,
Let I p = 2I L , Therefore I p = 2 Amps .
V V C
Also Ip = = =V
ωL 1
×L L
LC
4 ×10 −6
Therefore 2 = 30 ×
L
Therefore L = 0.9mH .
1 1
ω= = = 16666 rad/sec
LC 0.9 × 10 × 4 ×10−6
−3
158
I
sin −1 L
π I
Conduction time of SCR = + p
ω ω
1
sin −1
π 2
= +
16666 16666
π + 0.523
= radians
16666
= 0.00022 seconds
= 0.22 msec
Problem 1.6: For the circuit shown in figure 1.20 given that the load current to be
commutated is 10 A, turn off time required is 40µsec and the supply voltage is 100 V.
Obtain the proper values of commutating elements.
C
V
=100V L i IL
IL
Fig. 1.20.
Solution
C
I p peak value of i = V and this should be greater than I L . Let I p = 1.5 I L .
L
C
Therefore 1.5 × 10 = 100 ... ( a )
L
Also, assuming that at the time of turn off the capacitor voltage is approximately
equal to V, (and referring to waveform of capacitor voltage in figure 1.13) and the load
current linearly charges the capacitor
CV
tc = seconds
IL
100
Therefore 40 ×10 −6 = C ×
10
159
Therefore C = 4µ F
4 × 10 −6
1.5 × 10 = 100
L
104 × 4 ×10−6
1.52 × 102 =
L
L = 0.177 mH .
Problem 1.7 : In a resonant commutation circuit supply voltage is 200 V. Load current is
10 A and the device turn off time is 20µs. The ratio of peak resonant current to load
current is 1.5. Determine the value of L and C of the commutation circuit.
Solution
Ip
Given = 1.5
IL
C
That is Ip = V = 15 A ... ( a )
L
It is given that the device turn off time is 20 µsec. Therefore tc , the circuit turn off
time should be greater than this,
Let tc = 30 µ sec .
CV
And tc =
IL
200 × C
Therefore 30 ×10 −6 =
10
Therefore C = 1.5µ F .
Substituting in (a)
1.5 × 10 −6
15 = 200
L
160
1.5 ×10 −6
152 = 200 2 ×
L
Therefore L = 0.2666 mH
IL
R1 R2
ab iC
V
C
T1 T2
161
vc ( t ) = V f + (Vi − V f ) e− t τ
Where V f is the final voltage, Vi is the initial voltage and τ is the time constant.
At t = t c , vc ( t ) = 0 ,
τ = R1C , V f = V , Vi = −V ,
− tc
Therefore 0 = V + ( −V − V ) e R1C
− tc
0 = V − 2Ve R1C
− tc
− tc
0.5 = e R1C
tc = 0.693R1C
tc = 0.693 R2C
Usually R1 = R2 = R
162
Gate pulse Gate pulse
of T1 of T2
t
p
V
IL 2V
V
Current through R1 R1
R1
t
Current through T1 2V
R2
V
R1
t
2V Current through T2
R1
V
R2
t
V
Voltage across
capacitor vab
t
-V
tC tC
Voltage across T1
t
tC
Fig. 1.22
163
Problem 1.8 : In the circuit shown in figure 1.23 the load resistances R1 = R2 = R = 5Ω
and the capacitance C = 7.5 µF, V = 100 volts. Determine the circuit turn off time tc .
R1 R2
V
C
T1 T2
Fig. 1.23.
Solution
The circuit turn-off time tc = 0.693 RC seconds
tc = 26 µ sec .
Problem 1.9: Calculate the values of RL and C to be used for commutating the main SCR
in the circuit shown in figure 1.24. When it is conducting a full load current of 25 A flows.
The minimum time for which the SCR has to be reverse biased for proper commutation is
40µsec. Also find R1 , given that the auxiliary SCR will undergo natural commutation
when its forward current falls below the holding current value of 2 mA.
i1 IL
R1 RL
iC
V
=100V C
Auxiliary Main
SCR SCR
Fig. 1.24.
Solution
In this circuit only the main SCR carries the load and the auxiliary SCR is used to
turn off the main SCR. Once the main SCR turns off the current through the auxiliary
SCR is the sum of the capacitor charging current ic and the current i1 through R1 , ic
reduces to zero after a time tc and hence the auxiliary SCR turns off automatically after a
time tc , i1 should be less than the holding current.
164
Given I L = 25 A
V 100
That is 25 A = =
RL RL
Therefore RL = 4Ω
tc = 40 µ sec = 0.693RLC
40 ×10 −6
Therefore C=
4 × 0.693
C = 14.43µ F
V
i1 = should be less than the holding current of auxiliary SCR.
R1
100
Therefore should be < 2mA.
R1
100
Therefore R1 >
2 ×10−3
That is R1 > 50 K Ω
T1 IL
−
T3 VC(O) C
+
L
L T2 O
V A
FWD D
165
The working of the circuit can be explained as follows. It is assumed that initially
the capacitor C is charged to a voltage VC ( O ) with polarity as shown. Let the thyristor T1
be conducting and carry a load current I L . If the thyristor T1 is to be turned off, T2 is
fired. The capacitor voltage comes across T1 , T1 is reverse biased and it turns off. Now
the capacitor starts charging through T2 and the load. The capacitor voltage reaches V
with top plate being positive. By this time the capacitor charging current (current through
T2 ) would have reduced to zero and T2 automatically turns off. Now T1 and T2 are both
off. Before firing T1 again, the capacitor voltage should be reversed. This is done by
turning on T3 , C discharges through T3 and L and the capacitor voltage reverses. The
waveforms are shown in figure 1.26.
VS
Capacitor
voltage
VC
tC
Voltage across T1
t
VC
166
EXPRESSION FOR CIRCUIT TURN OFF TIME (AVAILABLE TURN OFF
TIME) tc
tc depends on the load current I L and is given by the expression
t
1 c
VC = ∫ I L dt
C0
I L tc
VC =
C
VC C
tc = seconds
IL
Note:
• T1 is turned off by applying a negative voltage across its terminals. Hence this is
voltage commutation.
• tc depends on load current. For higher load currents tc is small. This is a
disadvantage of this circuit.
• When T2 is fired, voltage across the load is V + VC ; hence the current through
load shoots up and then decays as the capacitor starts charging.
T2
D
V
L
IL
RL
167
The working of the circuit can be explained as follows:
Initially let the voltage across the capacitor be VC ( O ) with the top plate positive.
Now T1 is triggered. Load current flows through T1 and load. At the same time, C
discharges through T1 , L and D (the current is ‘i’) and the voltage across C reverses i.e.,
the bottom plate becomes positive. The diode D ensures that the bottom plate of the
capacitor remains positive.
To turn off T1 , T2 is triggered; the voltage across the capacitor comes across T1 .
T1 is reverse biased and it turns off (voltage commutation). The capacitor now starts
charging through T2 and load. When it charges to V volts (with the top plate positive), the
current through T2 becomes zero and T2 automatically turns off.
The related waveforms are shown in figure 1.28.
VC
Capacitor
voltage
t
−V
tC
This is due to i
IT 1
IL
Current through SCR V
RL
t
2V
RL
IL
Load current
V Voltage across T1
tC
168
Problem 1.10: An impulse commutated thyristor circuit is shown in figure 1.29.
Determine the available turn off time of the circuit if V = 100 V, R = 10 Ω and C = 10
µF. Voltage across capacitor before T2 is fired is V volts with polarity as shown.
+
T1
-
C VC(0)
V +
T2 R
-
Fig. 1.29.
Solution
When T2 is triggered the circuit is as shown in figure 1.30.
VC(O)
- + i(t)
+
C
T2
V R
Fig. 1.30.
1 VC(0)
Cs s
− + I(s)
+
V R
s −
Fig. 1.31.
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We have to obtain an expression for capacitor voltage. It is done as follows:
1
(V + VC ( 0 ) )
I (S) = s
1
R+
Cs
C (V + VC ( 0 ) )
I (S ) =
1 + RCs
I (S) =
(V + V ( 0 ) ) C
1
Rs +
RC
1 VC ( 0 )
Voltage across capacitor VC ( s ) = I ( s ) −
Cs s
1 V + VC ( 0 ) VC ( 0 )
VC ( s ) = −
RCs 1 s
s+
RC
V + VC ( 0 ) V + VC ( 0 ) VC ( 0 )
VC ( s ) = − −
s 1 s
s +
RC
V V V ( 0)
VC ( s ) = − − C
s s+ 1 s+
1
RC RC
(
vc ( t ) = V 1 − e
−t
RC
) −V ( 0) e
C
−t
RC
Therefore (
vc ( t ) = V 1 − 2e
−t
RC
)
The waveform of vc ( t ) is shown in figure 1.32.
170
V
vC(t)
t
VC(0)
tC
Fig. 1.32.
At t = tc , vc ( t ) = 0
− tc
Therefore 0 = V 1 − 2e RC
− tc
1 = 2e RC
1 − tc
= e RC
2
tc = RC ln ( 2 )
tc = 10 ×10 ×10−6 ln ( 2 )
tc = 69.3µ sec .
Problem 1.11 : In the commutation circuit shown in figure 1.33. C = 20 µF, the input
voltage V varies between 180 and 220 V and the load current varies between 50 and 200
A. Determine the minimum and maximum values of available turn off time tc .
T1 I0
−
C VC(0)=V
+
V
T2
I0
Fig. 1.33.
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Solution
It is given that V varies between 180 and 220 V and I O varies between 50 and
200 A.
The expression for available turn off time tc is given by
CV
tc =
IO
CVmax
Therefore tc max =
IO min
220
tc max = 20 ×10−6 × = 88 µ sec
50
CVmin
and tc min =
IO max
180
tc min = 20 ×10 −6 × = 18µ sec
200
T1 T2 L T3
+
VS RL 2VAUX C VAUX
−
172
main thyristor T1 , thyristor T2 is turned ON. Then T1 is subjected to a reverse voltage
equal to VS − 2VAUX . This results in thyristor T1 being turned-off. Once T1 is off capacitor
‘C’ discharges through the load RL
L T1
+ IL
T3 +
_C L
FWD O
VS A
Lr D
T2
Figure 1.35 shows line side commutation circuit. Thyristor T2 is fired to charge
the capacitor ‘C’. When ‘C’ charges to a voltage of 2V, T2 is self commutated. To
reverse the voltage of capacitor to -2V, thyristor T3 is fired and T3 commutates by itself.
Assuming that T1 is conducting and carries a load current I L thyristor T2 is fired to turn
off T1 . The turning ON of T2 will result in forward biasing the diode (FWD) and applying
a reverse voltage of 2V across T1 . This turns off T1 , thus the discharging and recharging
of capacitor is done through the supply and the commutation circuit can be tested without
load.
173