Series Connection of an SCR

SCR Series Connection

When the required voltage rating exceeds the SCR voltage rating, a number of SCRs are required to be connected in series to share the forward and reverse voltage. As it is not possible to have SCRs of completely identical characteristics, deviation in characteristics lead to the following two major problems during series connections of the SCRs:

Series operation of SCRs requires the SCRs to share equally the applied voltages under all conditions of use. There are four distinct regions of operation for an SCR: turn-on, forward conduction, turn- off, and quiescent operation with either forward or reverse voltage. In a series stack of SCRs, the slowest device will have a disproportionate share of the overall voltage prior to its turn-on, since its partners will already be on. Therefore, it is necessary to turn on each SCR as quickly as possible with simultaneous gating signals having fast rise times to some 3 to 5 A in less than 500 ns. In nearly all situations of SCR gating currents, more, higher, and faster are all better. The driving voltage is typically 20 to 40 V open circuit with current limiting.

SCR Parallel Connection

When the load current exceeds the SCR current rating, SCRs are connected in parallel to share the load current. But when SCRs are operated in parallel, the current sharing between them may not be proper. The device having lower dynamic resistance will tend to share more current. This will raise the temperature of that particular device in comparison to other, thereby reducing further its dynamic resistance and increasing current through it. This process is cumulative and continues till the device gets punctured.

Some other factors which directly or indirectly add to this problem are difference in turn-on time, delay time, finger voltage* and loop inductance. Arrangement of SCRs

in the cubicle also plays vital role. When the SCRs are connected in parallel, it must be ensured that the latching current level of the all the SCRs is such that when gate pulse is applied, all of them turn-on and remain on when the gate pulse is removed. Further the holding currents of the devices should not be so much different that at reduced load current one of the device gets turned-off because of fall of current through it blow its holding current value. This is particularly important because on increase in load current, the device which has stopped conducting cannot start in the absence of gate pulse.

Another point to be considered is the on-state voltage across the device. For equal sharing of currents by the devices voltage drop across the parallel paths must be equal. For operation of all the SCRs connected in parallel at the same temperature, it becomes necessary to use a common heat sink for their mounting, as illustrated in figure. Resistance compensation used for dc circuits is shown in figure. In this circuit the resistors Rx and R2 are chosen so as to cause equal voltage drop in both arms. Inductive compensation used for ac circuits is shown in figure The difference in characteristics due to different turn-on time, delay time, finger voltage, latching current, holding current can be minimized by using inductive compensation. Firing circuits giving high rate of rise can be used to reduce mismatch of gate characteristics and delay time.

Current sharing circuits must be designed so as to distribute current equally at maximum temperature and maximum anode current. This is done to ensure that the devices share current equally under worst operating conditions. Mechanical arrangement of SCRs also plays an important role in reducing mismatching. Cylindrical construction is perhaps the best from this point of view.

Derating. Even with all the measures taken, it is preferable to derate the device for series/parallel operation. Another reason for derating is poor cooling and heat dissipation as number of devices operate in the same branch of the circuit.

Normal derating factors are 10 to 15% for parallel connection of SCRs depending upon the number of devices connected in parallel. Higher voltage safety factor is taken when SCRs are connected in series.

Advantages
1. Less expensive to purchase 2. Less expensive to mount 3. Less expensive to replace, in case of failure 4. Ease of mounting5. Ease of isolation from sink

Disadvantages
1. Increased SCR count 2. Selected or matched devices 3. Increased component count 4. Greater R & D effort There are several factors to keep in mind in paralleling and many are pertinent for single SCR operations as well.

GATE DRIVE
The required gate current (IGT) amplitude can vary greatly and can depend upon SCR type and load being switched. As a general rule for parallel SCRs, IGT should be at least two or three times the IGT(MAX) specification on the data sheet and ideally close to, but never exceeding, the maximum specified gate power dissipation or peak current. Adequate gate current is necessary for rapid turnon of all the parallel SCRs and to ensure simultaneous turnon without excessive current crowding across any of the individual die. The rise time of the gatedrive pulse should be fast, ideally p 100 ns. Each gate should be driven from a good current source and through its own resistor, even if transformer drive is used. Gate pulse width requirements vary but should be of sufficient width to ensure simultaneous turnon and last well beyond the turnon delay of the slowest device, as well as beyond the time required for latching of all devices. Ideally, gate current would flow for the entire conduction period to ensure latching under all operating conditions. With low voltage switching, which includes conduction angles near 180 and near zero degrees, the gate drive requirements can be more critical and special emphasis may be required of gate pulse amplitude and width

SERIES CONNECTED DIODES:

In high-voltage applications one commercially available diode is unable to meet the required voltage ratings of a circuit. Connecting diodes in series increases the reverse blocking capabilities of the diodes. Each diode must carry the same leakage current, and have the same blocking voltage. However, in reality even two diodes of the same part number will not have the same characteristics due to tolerances in the production process. This is shown for two diodes of the same part number connected in series in Figure 2.5, along with their v-i charactieristics. This gives rise to problems when diodes are connected in series, since the blocking voltages will differ slightly.

DIODES IN PARALLEL:
All diodes have a foreward voltage drop and if you measure a bunch of a particular diode, (even all being in the same batch) you will find each is slightly different at a given current. And this can change in a Non-Linear way for other currents. When diodes are placed in parallel, the diode with the Lowest Voltage drop will conduct the most Current.

This could result in No Advantage, Partial advantage or High Advantage. But Extremely Doubtful it will ever Double the current.

One way to help fix this is to put a Low Value, Series Resistor in front of Each Diode. The voltage drop across this series resistor tends to Equil Out the differences in the diodes. The resistance of each series resistor should provide a voltage drop, somewhere around 0.3 to 0.6 volts at the current draw of the particular circuit it is used in.

Another Problem that can occur sometimes: Is when a large filter capacitor is used after the diode and If the Power transfomer has a low impedance and is capable of driving large currents. "This Inital High Surge Current, Can Damage the Diodes".

In these cases it is advisable to place a low value, series resistor. Sometimes it is called a "Fusing Resistor". This resistor Raises the Effective Impedance and Lowers the High In-Rush Current to a safer level, thus protecting the diode from damage. In Low Voltage Supplies, Resistor Values between 0.1 ohm to 10 ohms are quite effective. And in High Voltage Supplies, Values between 47 ohm to 100 ohms are used to fix this. In the case of a Diode Bridge Circuit, a resistor is placed on Both Inputs.