AND8030/D

Series, Inverse-Parallel and

Turn-Off Connections for
SCR Thyristor Devices
Prepared by: Alex Lara, Gabriel Gonzalez, and Dalila Ramirez
Thyristor Applications Engineers http://onsemi.com

APPLICATION NOTE

INTRODUCTION • Inverse Parallel connection of two SCRs for driving

In the big variety of the A.C. applications in which the high power loads.
thyristor technology is used, there are some cases in which • Series connection of two SCRs to generate a high
high power loads must be controlled by solid state devices, voltage device.
but because of the high power, these big loads cannot be • Forced commutation methods for turning–off the SCRs.
handled by only one TRIAC device, therefore, it is very
common to connect two SCRs in inverse–parallel since this Inverse Parallel Connection of Two SCRs
arrangement would allow to drive bigger levels of power As previously mentioned, there are some industrial
since the control stand point. applications in which it is needed to control big loads that
In the case of the D.C. applications, there are also some can consume high among of power, so due to this,
cases in which the loads must be supplied with high levels sometimes it is not possible to control these loads through a
of voltage (over than 1000 Volts), so for these kind of single device (Triac) since their current rating may not be
applications, it is needed to have a solid state device enough to cover the rating needed by the load. As an
capable to sustain these high voltage levels, therefore in example of this, the biggest triac that On Semiconductor is
these cases, the most feasible solution is to connect two currently offering is the MAC224A series which is a triac
SCR (800 V) in series in order to generate a high voltage for 40 Amp of IT(RMS), therefore, if somebody wants to
device (1600 V). control a load that need to be supplied with 50 Amp of
In addition to the previous cases, there are also some IT(RMS), this triac would not be able to make the
applications in which it is needed to make the turn–off of an corresponding control function since its current rating is
SCR device when it is operating under D.C. current lower than the rating of the load, therefore in this case, it
conditions, and this can be done through the forced could be a good solution to use two SCRs (MCR265–8
commutation methods for SCRs. series, 55 Amp of IT(RMS)) connected in inverse parallel
The present application note is mainly focused in in order to make the function of a bigger triac capable to
explaining some alternatives for making the control control the 50 Amp of IT(RMS) required by the load, the
functions listed below: following figure shows the inverse parallel connection for
two SCRs:
Load

MUR140 a

G
510 Ω A K
330 Ω
MCR265–8 MCR265–8
A B
VAC 60, 50 Hz
G K A
510 Ω
12 Vdc MOC3062

MUR140 b

 Semiconductor Components Industries, LLC, 2000 1 Publication Order Number:

September, 2000 – Rev. 0 AND8030/D
 AND8030/D

When the led of the optocoupler MOC3062 is activated, operating as previously explained whenever the led of the
it will cause the trigger of the diac and depending on the ac optocoupler is being activated. It is important to mention
line polarity, one of the two SCRs (MCR265–8) will be that in this case we are taking our MCR265–8 as an
triggered; in other words, if the half cycle of the ac line is example, but in the real field of the applications the SCRs
positive, the diode (a) will be polarized in forward mode, must be selected based in the applications requirements
so it will allow current flow through the diac of the (VDRM, IT(RMS), etc).
optocoupler which will cause the trigger of the SCR (A), The previous SCRs arrangement could be functional for
this SCR (A) will be activated during the complete half another typical and useful applications related to the angle
positive cycle and will be deactivated as soon as a zero phase control which could be easily made by controlling
crossing condition occurs. Now, if the half cycle of the ac the trigger of the SCRs as explained in the application note
line is negative, the diode (b) will be polarized in forward number AND8011/D named High Resolution Digital
mode, so it will allow current flow through the diac of the Dimmer.
optocoupler which now will cause the trigger of the On the other hand, this other schematic diagram shows
SCR (B) and this SCR (B) will be activated during the a different alternative to control the phase angle of the
complete half negative cycle and will be turned–off as soon inverse parallel arrangement of the two SCRs
as a zero crossing condition occurs, the two SCRs will be (MCR265–8):

LOAD

MCR265–8
390 Ω
A K
G
6.2 k
G
K A
VAC 50/60 Hz 470 k
590 k
PDA30 ON/OFF
Switch

220 Ω
100 nF

In a different way than in the application note number specified in its data sheet, otherwise, the SCR might not be
AND8011/D (High Resolution Digital Dimmer), this operating properly.
circuit is only controlling the angle phase of one half cycle
of the ac line which is corresponding to the positive
semi–cycle (SCR (A)), therefore, the SCR (B) will be
conducting the complete negative semi–cycle of the ac line.
When the switch is turned–on, the SCR (B) is fully
triggered while the SCR (A) will be allowing a certain
conduction angle to the load which will be depending on
the resistance value appearing in the variable resistor since
this variable resistor is limiting the charge time of the
capacitor, so as soon as the capacitor reaches the same level
of voltage than the breakover voltage of the DIAC
(PDA30), it will be triggered and due to this, the SCR (A) Angle
will be switched–on at certain angle phase of the positive Phase
semi–cycle of the ac line. The RC arrangement will be
controlling the trigger of the SCR (A) which will be
allowing an conduction angle dependable of the delay
generated by the RC arrangement.
It is important to mention that in order to have a good This plot shows how the current waveform looks in the
load when it is being controlled the angle phase only in
control phase operation in the SCR (A), it is very the positive semi–cycle, so in this case it corresponds
important to keep its Tc within the rate of temperature to the SCR (A).

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 AND8030/D

Series Connection of SCRs Forced Commutation Methods for Turning–Off

As also previously mentioned, there are some the SCRs
applications in which it is necessary to control high voltage As known, when a SCR device is used in D.C.
levels (over than 800 V) through a solid state devices, but applications, once it is triggered, it is going to be latched no
the main issue for these applications is related to the voltage matter its Igt signal is taken off from its gate terminal and it
rating of thyristors which commonly is for 800 V will remain its on–state whenever the current flowing
maximum which means that it is the level of voltage that through its main terminals is higher than its IH (holding
one SCR would be able to sustain. Therefore, if there is an current), so in order to experiment a successful turning–off
application that requires a blocking voltage of 1000 Volts, it condition, it is necessary to eliminate the gate current and
could be a good solution to connect two SCRs in series in then reduces the current flowing through the anode and
order to increase the blocking voltage and it could be made cathode terminals until the current level drops lower than
as shown in the following schematic diagram: the SCR’s holding current, so based in this, it would be
required to have either an extra circuit or method capable to
Switch 1 cut down the main current flowing through the main
LOAD
terminals of the SCR until it is turned–off. Actually, some
of the most common methods for the forced commutation
Switch 2 are listed below:
Double Contact A 1. Forced commutation method by voltage and current.
2. Forced commutation method of blocking by an
G external source.
K
3. Forced commutation method by static blocking.
120 Ω
1000 VDC
4. Forced commutation method type E or complementary
commutation.
A
12 VDC Nevertheless, it will be explained only the method 4 in this
G
application note since it is the option that is more useful in
K industrial applications.
120 Ω
Forced Commutation Method Type E or
Complementary Commutation
The figure below shows the circuit diagram for this
method and its corresponding operating sequence:
The above diagram can be operated very easily, first, it is
Source Voltage (VS)
needed to close the switch 1 and then, the two SCR can be
activated by closing the switch 2; the current value that
would be flowing through the SCRs would be the same
since the devices are connected in series, nevertheless, the
power dissipation in each device could be different since it IC
depends of the Von of each SCR.
The series connection of the SCRs devices can offer Load’s Auxiliary
Resistance Resistance
some benefits some of them are the following:
Capacitor
• Higher blocking voltage – +
• Reduce leakage current + –
• Better thermal stability + +
• Higher dV/dt static capability Main SCR } Vmth Vath { Auxiliary SCR

• Reduce snubber cost or possible snubber–less operation Igm

– –
Iga

Imth
Iath

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 AND8030/D

Operating Sequence Diagram

Igm Gate Signal

for the
Main SCR
Time
Main SCR Imth
Waveforms
Off–State
Time
Vmth
Off–State VON Off–State
Time
Iga Gate Signal
for the
Auxiliary SCR
Time
Iath
Auxiliary SCR Capacitor
Discharge
Waveforms
Time
Vath
Off–State VON Off–State
Time
Step 1 Step 2 Step 3 Step 1

The steps of the operating sequence are explained below: it will start to be charged through the load resistance but
Step 1. At the first time, the capacitor is not charged and now in inverse polarity, this action will cause the
it is not being applied any trigger signal to the gate elimination of the current flow through the main SCR
terminals of both SCRs, therefore, there is no current flow which will be turned–off. After the main SCR has been
in the circuit. turned–off, it could be activated again by supplying another
Step 2. As soon as current pulse is applied to the gate current pulse to its gate terminal and can be deactivated in
terminal (Igm) of the main SCR, it will be triggered the same way than previously explained.
allowing current flow through the load, and at the same It is important to mention that there are some points that
time, the capacitor will start to be charged and once it has must be taken into consideration in order to ensure the
reached its maximum charge voltage level (τ = Raux C), it properly operation of this commutation method, these
will act as an open element while the main SCR will remain points are described below:
its on–state no matter the current signal has been taken–off a. The source voltage must be minor than the VDRM and
from its gate terminal. VRRM of the main and auxiliary SCRs.
Step 3. Now, when a current pulse is applied to the gate b. The operating condition for the commutation is:
terminal (Iga) of the auxiliary SCR, it will be triggered • Raux is the auxiliary resistance (Ohms)
causing the discharge of the capacitor through itself (lath), • C is the capacitor to be used (Faraday)
this auxiliary SCR will be turned–off as soon as the current • Tq is the turn–off time of the main and auxiliary
level of the capacitor’s pulse discharge has dropped below SCRs
than its holding current (IH) since the auxiliary resistance The following schematic diagram shows a real
will not be allowing enough current flow through the application circuit in which it is used this commutation
device to keep itself in the on–state. Once the capacitor has method already explained:
been totally discharged, it will act as a short circuit thereby

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 AND8030/D

Vsource = +20 Vdc

A1
IC

D.C. MOTOR M Raux = 1 k Ohm/10 W

1/4 H.P.
C = 1000 µF/25 V Note:
A2 When the main SCR is turned–off and the capacitor
– +
+ –
has been fully discharged, the current through the
auxiliary SCR (Iath) will be 20 mA (20 V/1 KW) which
Main SCR: + + Auxiliary SCR: is a lower current value than the holding current of
2N6504 } Vmth Vath { 2N6504
the 2N6504 device, so due to this, the auxiliary SCR
– –
Igm will be turned–off.
Iga

Imth
Iath

Through this circuit, it is possible to switch–on and the current through the auxiliary SCR (see note in the
switch–off the dc motor through the SCRs and also it could diagram).
be possible to control the speed of the motor by applying an In summary the present application note was focused in
angle phase control to the main SCR. This circuit basically showing some of the most popular configurations for
operates in the same way than previously explained. As applications circuits using SCR devices, nevertheless, it is
soon as a pulse current is applied to the main SCR, it will be important to mention that all these concepts were only
activated thereby the motor will start to operate which will tested into our Lab environment, therefore, if any of these
be stopped whenever the auxiliary SCR is activated. It is concepts may be used in the real field, it would be
important to mention that the auxiliary resistance was necessary to take into consideration the real field
calculated taking into consideration the holding current conditions (environment temperature, voltage variations,
value of the SCR since this resistance is the one that limits etc.) in order to avoid bad operation from the circuits.

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 AND8030/D

Notes

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 AND8030/D

Notes

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 AND8030/D

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