SNUBBER CIRCUITS To protect a thyristor, from a large di/dt during turn-on and a large dv/dt during turn-off, a snubber

circuit is needed. A general snubber topology is shown in Figure.

Cs limits dv/dt Rs limits capacitor discharge current ITD

SUMMARY The turn-on snubber is made by inductance L1 (often L1 is stray inductance only). This protects the thyristor from a large di/dt during the turn-on process. The auxiliary circuit made by R1 and D1 allows the discharging of L1 when the thyristor is turned off.

Turn-on (top elements) and turn-off (bottom elements) snubber circuits for thyristors.

The turn-off snubber is made by resistor R2 and capacitance C2. This circuit protects thyristor from large dv/dt during the turn-off process. The auxiliary circuit made by D2 and R2 allows the discharging of C2 when the thyristor is turned on. The circuit of capacitance C2 and inductance L1 also limits the value of dv/dt across the thyristor during forward blocking. In addition, L1 protects the thyristor from reverse over-currents. Diode D2 bypass R2 while charging.

POLARISED AND UNPOLARISED SNUBBERS

a)

Polarized snubber

b) Reverse polarized

c) Unpolarized

A forward-polarized fig(a) is suitable when SCR has antiparallel diode. R limits forward dv/dt and R1 limits discharge current of SCR Charging C-R-D2, Discharging-C-T1-R1 Reverse polarized snubber fig(b) limits reverse dv/dt Charging Ds-R-C R1 limits discharge of capacitor. The capacitor does not discharge through the device, resulting in reduced losses in the device. Unpolarized snubber fig(c) is used when two SCRs are connected in inverse parallel