Industrial Electronics Laboratory Technical Note

Author: Alex Florisca Date: 29/03/2010

Tutor: Steve Burrow

1
 current, which EQUIPMENT
ABSTRACT results and the the thyristors
conclusions needs to start The experiments
This technical drawn. conducting, and required a
note provides the the action of significant
written results Background
turning on/off is number of
and conclusions representative of measurements of
Thyristors are a
to the thyristor the current flow current, voltage
family of
laboratory from anode to and power, both
semiconductor
exercise. The cathode within a RMS and average
devices with four
basic thyristors device. values. In order
layers of
characteristics of to do this
alternating N and
thyristors are accurately, the
P-type material.
analysed first. following
Their operation
The experiments equipment was
can be thought
include triac and used:
of as a latched
bridge rectifier
diode. A current
configurations. • PowerTek • Re
is required to
For each circuit, ISW8000 Watt- • An
start conducting, Figure 1: Thyristor
an analysis of (Silicon Controlled
Meter Me
after which the
circuit operation Rectifier) • Thyristor Kit
thyristors
is performed, • Digital
continues to Thyristors are
with an emphasis Oscilloscope
conduct as long also often known
of the effect this
as it is forward as Silicon
has on an RL
bias, regardless Controlled The wattmeter
load.
of weather the Rectifier. This is was used for
activating signal one of the measuring RMS
INTRODUCTIO
is present or not. components values of current,
N
As a general under the voltage and
analogy, this can thyristor family; power. The
Objective
be compared to a however the analogue meters
The purpose of power button on terms have were used for
this document is a computer. become measuring the
to provide an When this is synonymous in average current
introduction to pressed (and many sources. and voltage
thyristors by use released), the Other devices across the load.
of practical computer turns include: The digital
means. Five on/off and oscilloscope was
remains in this • Shockley Diode used to display
experiments
state thereafter. • Silicon waveforms for
have been
The button press Controlled the input and
carried out and
can be thought Switch output voltages.
this technical
of as the • Gate turn-off The reactive load
note provides an
activating (GTO) thyristor mentioned above
analysis of the

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consisted of two hence the firing load were the circuit, only
parts: angle to be measured over the 50V AC
o
varied from 0 to four conditions, supply. The
1. A variable 180o in the case varying the wattmeter was
resistance of T1 and T3 and configuration of used to measure
wire- from 180o to 360o the load. values for the
wound in the case of T2
rheostat and T4. Resistor Inductor R L θ
with a State State
moveable
slider Low Core 44.72 0.02 8.11
resistanc removed
2. A variable
e
inductor
with a Max Core 85.79 0.03 8.11
removable resistanc removed
core made e
from Low Core fully 44.98 0.19 52.4
laminated resistanc inserted 1
steel e

The thyristor kit Max Core fully 85.18 0.20 35.9

can be seen in resistanc inserted
Figure 2. It e
consists of four
thyristors, fired RMS current, real
as two pairs. T1 Figure 2: Thyristor power, reactive
and T3 are fired
Kit power and the
by the same power factor for
EXPERIMENT Setup
firing angle/pulse all four
C: REACTIVE conditions of
(TP1) and T2 and
LOADS resistance and
T4 are fire by
TP2). However inductance. The
Aim power triangle
the two firing
angle pulses (TP1 The aim of this was then used to
and TP2) are experiment is to calculate values
separated by understand how for the
180o. The the impedance Figure 3: Experiment
resistance,
potentiometer varies when C Setup inductance and
labelled “Firing using a thyristor impedance
The experiment
angle” controls as a power- phase angle.
setup is shown in
the timing of the switching device. These results are
Figure 3. It is
gate current In order to do shown in Table 1.
important to note
pulse used to fire this, the that none of the
each pair of inductance and thyristors are yet
thyristors and resistance of the connected into
3
 Table 1: Load that the inductor EXPERIMENT can be obtained
Configurations
(with core D: CURRENT from the linear
Results inserted) reduces TRANSDUCER equation in
the efficiency of CALIBRATION Figure 4,
The load used in the circuit (power however this
this experiment factor decreases) would not
Aim
has both reactive by drawing more necessarily be
and resistive current in order As part of the reliable due to
elements and to store energy. thyristor kit, equipment
therefore the there is a current inaccuracies or
apparent power The power factor transducer, non-perfect
varies depending is also directly which measures sinusoid
on the influence proportional to the current and waveforms. It
of these the impedance produces a was therefore
components. The phase angle, proportional decided that the
values obtained which tends to voltage. The aim exact value of
for the current increase as the of this 1.0226 could be
are as expected; reactive power experiment is to approximated to
large current increases find out the 1 for the purpose
flows when the compared to real constant of of these
impedance is power. This is proportionality experiments.
lowest and small due to the fact for use in future
current flows that in a purely experiments.
when impedance reactive circuit
Figure 4: Constant of
is largest. The the phase angle Method
Proportionality of the
true power takes is 90o, whereas in Current Transducer
The setup
is equivalent to a purely resistive
remained the EXPERIMENT
purely resistive circuit the phase
same as E: THYRISTOR
power, and is angle is 0o. The
Experiment C, SWITCHING –
therefore higher values show that
and the RMS
at lower inserting the core SINGLE
Voltage and
impedance (core into the inductor DEVICE
Current were
removed). The produces higher
measured while
opposite is true impedance, Aim
varying the load.
for the reactive therefore
This experiment
power (VAR). The increasing the Results is split into two
power factor is phase angle and
The results are parts. Firstly
simply the ratio increasing
shown in Figure 4 (E1), a thyristor
of real power to reactive power.
where the linear will be
apparent power,
regression shows introduced into
and indicates the
the constant of the circuit to
power efficiency
proportionality is observe its
of a circuit. In
around 1. A more behaviour. In the
this experiment,
accurate value second part (E2),
it can be seen
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A diode is then the current single thyristor difference the
circuit with load
introduced and reaches zero. inductor core graph would
the results are This effect is inserted show from that
observed and much less of Figure 6 is that
E2: Free-
discussed. An significant with the output
Wheeling
equation is the inductor core voltage (blue)
Diode Circuit
developed removed, would be cut off
relating the because there is The voltage spike at zero and
average load much less seen in Figure 6 would never
voltage to the inductance in the may sometimes become
firing angle. circuit. be undesirable in negative.
a circuit. An
E1: Single
example of this is
Thyristor
a load that
Circuit
contains a
The experiment capacitance. A
is set up as change in
shown in Figure 5 polarity in the
and the input output voltage
current and may damage the
output voltage capacitor and
are measured. therefore needs
The result can be to be eliminated.
seen in Figure 6, This is done with Figure 7: Free-
Figure 5: Single wheeling Diode
which shows how Thyristor Experiment a free-wheeling
Experiment Setup
the output Setup (or flyback) diode
voltage varies (see Figure 7). To analyse the
with input These are effect of the
current. The generally used in firing angle on
graph shown circuits where the average load
here is inductive loads voltage, an
representative of are switched off equation was
the inductor with by silicon derived to relate
its core fully components. An the two. This was
inserted. In this example done by looking
case, there is application of at the voltage
significant this is in DC waveform and
inductance in the motor drives. integrating. Since
circuit and the Unfortunately no the frequency is
thyristor voltage graph is known, the firing
lags behind the available to angle can be
current, causing visualize this converted from a
it to drop to a effect, however time constant to
Figure 6: AC current
negative before (orange) and output the only an angle. The
voltage (blue) of a thought process
5
is illustrated which when believed to be according to the
more clearly in solved, leads to due to two observations
Figure 8, which Equation ( 0 ). insufficient necessary: low
results in This is an readings in that resistance, core
Equation ( 0 ). approximation to area. removed and low
the relationship resistance, core
of the average inserted. For
load voltage to Figure 9: Firing Angle each state,
the firing angle, vs Average Load observations are
Voltage
based on a made using first
perfect sinusoid. single firing
EXPERIMENT
mode and then
F: THYRISTOR
VAVE = A(1+ cos(α )) multiple firing.
SWITCHING IN
PAIRS (TRIAC)
In order to check
this expression, Aim
Figure 8: Converting
firing angle to angle readings were
This experiment
taken for the
T analyses the
∫
f average
(t) voltage
VAVE = behaviour of a
Tas the firing
0
circuit consisting
angle was
of two thyristors
Given that the changed. These
switching as a
voltage takes the values were
pair (triac). It
form of a compared to
also looks at
sinusoid, it has those obtained
single and Figure 10: Triac
been by using the Experiment Setup
multiple-pulse
approximated as equation above
firing and the Results
such here, where and the results
effect this has on
for each period: are shown in
the load voltage. The result of
Figure 9. As can
introducing a
0 ≤θ <α θ =be0 seen the Method pair of thyristors
α ≤θ ≤π θ =theoretical
Asin(θ ) line
is that firing
matches the The setup is
π < θ ≤ 2π θ =0 similar as before, occurs on both
experimental one
connecting an half cycles, as
fairly closely.
Therefore extra thyristor in can be seen in
Since no
leading to the a triac Figure 11. The
readings are
following combination (see thyristors work
available for
integral: Figure 10). The as a pair, one
firing angles
two thyristors always being on
π under 0.5
and the other off.
∫
VAVE = Asin(θradians,
) dθ the used are T1 and
The blue line
α
theoretical line is T4. The load will
need to be shows the output
slightly off,
configured voltage and the
although this is
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orange line types, half
shows the firing controlled and
pulse. This fully controlled,
particular which are
scenario is analysed by
representative of experiments G1
a very small and G2
firing angle. In respectively.
fact if the angle
were any G1: Half
smaller, the Controlled
circuit would Bridge
attempt to switch Rectifier
on the second Circuit
Figure 13: Triac with
thyristor before Figure 12: Small multiple pulse gate Figure 14 shows
the first has firing angle causing currents
thyristors to switch one configuration
turned off. This at the wrong time of a half
Typical
results in a controlled bridge
This problem can applications for a
breakdown of the rectifier circuit, in
be solved with triac controller
output voltage which the current
multiple firing are those where
for that half cycle in only two of the
angles. Rather a steady
period. This four arms is
than trying to sinusoidal (or bi-
effect is seen in controlled. The
activate the polar) waveform
Figure 12. other two arms
second thyristor is needed; such
as a variable AC provide
just once,
power supply. rectification via
multiple pulses
the use of free-
are sent over a
period of time, EXPERIMENT wheeling diodes,
G: BRIDGE to provide a fully
each one of
RECTIFIER positive output.
which can trigger
CIRCUITS With this type of
the thyristor.
circuit, control is
This eliminates
Aim achieved only for
the timing error
the positive
of having to wait
This experiment output voltage,
for the previous
is split into two and no control is
thyristor to
parts. The aim of possible for
switch off. The
these negative voltage,
effect can be
Figure 11: Load
experiments is to as it is clamped
seen in Figure
voltage with small build an at zero.
firing angle - single 13.
understanding of
firing mode
the bridge
rectifier circuit.
There are two

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 through T2 and voltage spikes. of values for the
D4. This However, it is not average voltage
behaviour can always possible were collected
observed in to keep the load and plotted
Figure 15. drawing constant against the firing
current so there angle. This is
are ways to compared with
reduce the the theoretical
harmonics, for results in Figure
example with an 15. As can be
. inductor or an RC seen, the lines do
Figure 14: Half filter. not match very
Controlled, Single closely, with the
Phase, Bridge The average experimental
Rectifier Setup voltage can be results tending
The circuit expressed as: towards the peak
operation is as voltage of the
2 × VRMS
Supply
follows. When VAVE = (1+ cosα ) supply whereas
the voltage π the theoretical
source VSUP is Figure 15: Output results are
positive, thyristor Voltage of a Half This equation is tending towards
T1 is triggered Controlled Rectifier derived from the the RMS value.
via firing angle previous This discrepancy
It is important in
α . The current equation (4) in could be due to a
normal
then flows the single relatively
applications
through to the thyristor unstable supply
when using a
load (in this case experiment. with large
bridge rectifier
consisting of an Hence: variations in
that the current
inductor and a drawn by the output voltage,
resistor) and 2 × VRMS
Supply
A lowering the
load is =
back into the continuous. This
π π accuracy of the
supply through is because a RMS
diode D3. During continuous load This makes approximation.
negative cycles keeps the sense, as the The two lines
of the supply, T2 voltage on the peak amplitude show the same
is triggered at power supply of a sine wave is shape and
firing angle α . constant. If the equal to the similar trends,
Before T2 is current drawn square root times therefore it is
activated, diode pulsates, it would the RMS voltage, believed the
D4 tends to introduce and the period of errors are in the
become forward harmonics into integration is . accuracy of
bias and starts the circuit, results and
conducting. Once In order to verify equipment rather
potentially
T2 is active, this expression is than errors in
leading to
current flows correct, a range calculations.
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 current would triggered. If the
flow through T1, firing angle is
Figure 16: Average
Voltage of a Half to the load and less than the
Bridge Rectifier back in through load angle, the
T3. In the next energy stored in
G2: Fully
half cycle, the the inductor is
Controlled
other pair of sufficient to keep
Bridge
thyristors conducting. If the
Rectifier
conducts. This opposite is true,
Circuit
effect can be the energy
seen in Figure stored in the
18. It is inductor will run
important to note out before the
that although the second thyristor
supply voltage pair starts to Figure 18: Output
alternates conduct, Voltage of a Fully
Controlled Rectifier
polarity, the load therefore causing
voltage remains a discontinuity in CONCLUSION
unidirectional. the current
The variance in across the load. A variety of
output voltage is The choice of experiments
Figure 17: Fully
Controlled Rectifier achieved by inductor and were carried out
Setup varying the firing firing angle are to analyse he
angle. therefore key behaviour of
The purpose of a
parameters when thyristors in
fully controlled Another designing such a different
rectifier is to important factor circuit to avoid configurations.
provide a to consider is the voltage spikes, The single
variable DC continuity of load ripples and other thyristor exercise
voltage from an current. At the such unwanted explored the
AC source. The point where the behaviour. basic properties
circuit is shown supply switches
in Figure 17. It of thyristors in a
from a positive
consists of two circuit with a RL
half cycle to a
pairs of load. It was
negative half
thyristors, which found that the
cycle, the load
alternate to output voltage
does not fall to 0.
provide output lags behind the
The inductor has
rectification on input current,
stored energy,
both half cycles. reaching zero
acting as a
When the supply and becoming
temporary
voltage is negative before
source to keep
positive, T1 and the input current
the thyristor pair
T3 can be reaches zero. A
conducting while
triggered and diode was
the other pair is
9
introduced into The last two
the circuit to stop experiments
the output analysed the
voltage going bridge rectifier
negative. circuit, firstly the
half controlled
The triac and then the
experiment fully controlled
resulted in a pair variations. The
of thyristors half controlled
being used to rectifier provides
conduct on both control over the
half cycles of the positive voltage
power supply and clamps the
output. A negative voltage
problem was at 0. The fully
encountered controlled
where for small rectifier provides
firing angles, the control over both
second thyristor the positive and
would attempt to negative half
trigger while the cycles, allowing
first was still on. for a variable DC
This was solved output.
using multiple
firing pulses.

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