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AN4840 Application Note
www.dynexsemi.com
In all thyristor datasheets a set of curves showing device gate
characteristics is given. This gives information fundamental to
the correct triggering of the thyristor but the right interpretation
sometimes causes problems. Note, the curves should be used
in conjunction with the table of ratings and trigger characteristics
given elsewhere in each data sheet. This table gives the relevant
test conditions.
In this application note two types of gate curve are shown for
DCR1596SW (Fig. 1a to c). Fig 1(a) shows the traditional format
with logarithmic ‘X’ and ‘Y’ axes. This version allows a wide
range of gate current and voltage to be shown. Fig 1(b) and 1(c)
show curves with linear axes (2 graphs are needed to be the
equivalent of Fig 1(a)). When gate drive load lines are to be
superimposed linear versions are much more user friendly - see
below.
INFORMATION PROVIDED BY CURVES
I
GT
and V
GT
The value of gate current, I
and voltage, V
to be supplied to the
thyristor to guarantee simple triggering should always be greater
than the appropriate data book values of I
and V
. Simple
triggering is adequate for low di/dt applications only - see below.
Note, that although the device may trigger at I
and V
values below the I
GT
and V
GT
values shown, no guarantee can be
given.
I
and V
are the values of I
and V
below which the thyristor
can be guaranteed NOT to fire. This is important for guarding
against spurious triggering. Because it is very dependent on
applied anode - cathode voltage and junction temperature I
is
not provided as standard information in datasheets. However,
test information can be provided by the factory in many cases.
Fig.1a
100
10
1
0.1
0.001
0.1
0.01
1.0
10
V
FGM
Lower Limit 1%
UpperLmt99%
T
j
C
T
j
C
V
GD
G
G
Gate trigger current I
GT
- (A)
Table gives pulse power P
G
M
in Watts
Pulse Width
μ
s
100
200
500
1ms
10ms
50
150
150
150
150
20
100
150
150
150
100
-
400
150
125
100
25
-
Frequency Hz
100W
50W
20W
10W
T
j
C
150W
Load line 20V, 10
AN4840
Gate Triggering And Gate Characteristics
Application Note
AN4840-3.1 July 2002
Replaces September 2000 version, AN4840-3.0