SCR-Series and Parallel connections

How to make series and parallel connections of an SCR ?

In many power control applications the required voltage and current ratings exceed the voltage and current that can be provided by a single SCR. Under such situations the SCRs are required to be connected in series or in parallel to meet the requirements. Sometimes even if the required rating is available, multiple connections are employed for reasons of economy and easy availability of SCRs of lower ratings.

Like any other electrical equipment, characteristics/properties of two SCRs of same make and ratings are never same and this leads to certain problems in the circuit. The mismatch­ing of SCRs is due to differences in

(i)                   turn-on time

(ii)                 turn-off time

(iii)                leakage current in forward direction

(iv)               leakage current in reverse direction and

(v)                 recovery voltage.

Series Connection of an SCR

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:

(i) Unequal distribution of voltage across SCRs.

(ii) Difference in recovery characteristics.

Care must be taken to share the voltage equally. For steady-state conditions, voltage sharing is achieved by using a resistance or a Zener diode in parallel with each SCR. For transient voltage sharing a low non-inductive resistor and capacitor in series are placed across each SCR, as shown in  figure. Diodes D₁ connected in parallel with resistor R_l, helps in dynamic stabilisation. This circuit reduces differences between blocking voltages of the two devices within permissible limits. Additionally the R-C circuit can also serve the function of ‘snubber circuit‘. Values of R₁ and C₁ can primarily be calculated for snubber circuit and a check can be made for equali­zation. If ΔQ is the difference in recovery charge of two devices arising out of different recovery current for different time and ΔV is the permissible difference in blocking voltage

then C₁ = ΔQ/ ΔV.

The value of resistance R_x should be sufficient to over damp the circuit.

Since the capacitor C₁ can discharge through the SCR during turn-on, there can be excessive power dissipation, but the switching current from C₁ is limited by the resistor R₁ This resistance also serves the purpose of damping out ‘ringing’ which is oscillation of C₁ with the circuit inductance during commutation. All the SCRs connected in series should be turned-on at the same time when signals are applied to their gates simultaneously.

Parallel Connection of an SCR

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 R_x 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.