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3. What is a thyristor?
The term of thyristor denotes a family of silicon based semiconductor devices used
for power control in DC and AC system.
The thyristor has the combination of THYRatron characteristics and transISTOR
construction, so the name thyristor is derived from the bold letters (THYRISTOR).
18. What is the turn off time for inverter grade SCR?
The turn off time for inverter grade SCR is 3-50 ms.
Hard-driving or over-driving defined as, when gate current is several times higher than
the minimum gate current required, a thyristor is said to be hard-driving or over-driving.
The turn off time is defined as the time during which a reverse voltage is
applied across the thyristor during its commutation process.
23. Why circuit turn off time should be greater than the thyristor turn -off time?
Circuit turn off time should be greater than the thyristor turn-off time for reliable turn-
off, otherwise the device may turn-on at an undesired instant, a process called
commutation failure.
24. What is meant by secondary break down?
The secondary breakdown is a destructive phenomenon which result from the current
flow to a small portion of the base, producing localized spots is sufficient, the excessive
localized heating may damage the transistor. Thus secondary breakdown is caused by a
localized thermal runaway, resulting from high current concentrations.
25. What are the operational difference between thyristor family and transistor
family of devices?
The operational difference between thyristor family and transistor
family of devices are,
1. Once a SCR is turned on by a gate signal, it remains latched in on state due to
internal regenerative action. However a transistor must be given a continuous base
signal to remain in on state.
2. In order to turn off a thyristor , a reverse voltage must be applied across
its anode cathode terminals. However a transistor turns off when its base signal is
removed.
The reverse recovery time is the time for which negative current flows through the
SCR. During this period, all the carriers inside the SCR are removed and junctions, J1 and
The secondary breakdown is a destructive phenomenon, result from the current flow to
a small portion of the base, producing localized spots is sufficient, the excessive localized
heating may damage the transistor. Thus secondary breakdown is caused by a localized
thermal runaway, resulting from high current concentrations.
2) It needs a single fuse for protection, which also simplifies the construction
3) It needs a single heat sink of slightly larger size, whereas antiparallel thyristor
pair needs two heat sinks.
The more sensitive of the TRIAC is greatest in the first quadrant when turned on
with positive gate current and also in the third quadrant when turned on with negative
gate current.
The pinch off voltage of MOSFET defined as the gate source voltage VGS at
which, the channel will be completely depleted, offering a high value of RDS and there
will be no current flow from the drain to source, IDS=0.
MOSFET BJT
1. Power MOSFET has lower switching losses. 1. BJT has higher switching losses
8. MOSFETs are available with ratings upto 500V 8. BJTs are available with rating upto
and 140V 1200V and 800V.
34. What are the factors that influence the turn off time of a SCR?
1. Recovery process
2. Recombination process
The distinguish between holding current and latching current of SCR are,
1. The thyristor can be turn off or the 1. The latching current is defined as the
thyristor can be forward blocking state minimum value of anode current which
only , if the forward current falls below it must attain during turn on process to
a low level current called the holding maintain conduction when gate signal
current. is removed.
2. Holding current is associated with turn 2. Latching current is associate with turn
off process. on process.
3. Holding current is less then the latching 3. Latching current is the 2 to 3 times of
current. holding current.
1. anode
2. cathode
3. gate
emitter current.
β = ∆IC / ∆IE
The delay time period define as, base emitter voltage VBE is applied, the base current IB
rises to IBS and the collector current IC is equal to zero or collector emitter leakage current
ICBO. The time required to change the base emitter capacitance to VBES= 0.7V.
The rises time period define as, collector current IC rises to steady state values ICS and
the collector emitter voltage falls from VCC to VCES. The rise time depends on the input
capacitance.
2) Since TRIAC can be triggered in either direction, a trigger circuit with TRIAC
needs a careful consideration.
5) Its reverse voltage blocking capability is less than its forward blocking
capability.
6. What are the advantages of single phase bridge converter over single phase mid-point
converter?
The advantages of single phase bridge converter over single phase mid-point converter are,
1. SCRs are subjected to a peak-inverse voltage o f 2Vm in a fully controlled bridge
rectifier. Hence for same voltage and current ratings of SCRs, power handled by mid-
point configuration is about of that handled by bridge configuration.
2. In mid-point converter, each secondary winding should be able to supply the load
power. As such, the transformer rating in mid-point converter is double the load rating.
18. How is power factor of semiconverter better than that of full converter?
When supply given to load, the semiconverter receives less reactive power due to
freewheeling action when compared with full converter. Therefore, the power factor is
better in semi converter.
19. What is meant by rectification mode in single phase full controlled converter?
In single phase full converter, α < 90°, the voltage at the dc terminals is positive.
Therefore, power flows from source to load and the converter operates as a rectifier is
source voltage VS and source current IS positive. This is known as rectification mode.
27. What are all the types of three phase controlled converter?
The types of three phase controlled converter are,
1. Half wave controlled converter
2. semi converter
3. full converter
28. What are the advantages of three phase converters over single phase
converter?
The advantages of three phase converters over single phase converter are,
1. In three phase converters, the ripple frequency of the converter output
voltage is higher than in single phase converter. Consequently, the filtering
requirements for smoothing out the load current are less.
2. The load current is mostly continuous in three phase converters. The load
performance when the three phase converters are used is therefore superior
as compared to when single phase converters are used.
30. Why power factor is better in single phase semi converter over full
converter?
Power factor is better in single phase semiconverter over full converter is, power
delivered to load is greater in semiconverter than full converter, because in semiconverter
there is no negative conduction.
ON-OFF control
ON-OFF control defined as, the thyristors are employed as switched to connect
the load circuit to the source for a few cycle of the source voltage and disconnect it for
another few cycles
Phase control
The phase control defined as, thyristor switches connect the load to the AC source
foe a position of each cycle of input voltage.
8. Write down the expression for average output voltage for step up chopper.
Average output voltage for step up chopper V0 = Vs / (1- α), α is the duty cycle.
15. What are the different types of chopper with respect to commutation process?
The different types of chopper with respect to commutation process are,
1. Forced commutation
i. Voltage commutated chopper.
ii. Current commutated chopper.
2. Load commutated chopper.
INVERTERS
1. What is meant by inverter?
A inverter is a device that converts dc power into ac power at desired output
voltage and frequency is called an inverter.
2 The output voltage does not The output current does not depend
depend on the load on the load
APPLICATIONS
1. What is the expansion of UPS?
The expansion of UPS is uninterruptible power supply.
21. What is the value of firing angle for inverter and rectifier operation?
The firing angle is 0ᵒ to 90ᵒ in rectifier operation and 90ᵒ to 180ᵒ for inverter
operation.