COMMUTATION

CLASS A COMMUTATION
CLASS A COMMUTATION
 CLASS A COMMUTATION
The class A or load commutation (also called self-commutation or resonant
commutation) is employed in thyristor circuits supplied from DC source. The
commutating components include inductor (L) and capacitor (C). The load resistance
(R) and these commutating elements L and C are so chosen that there is a natural
tendency for the load current that flows through the thyristor to become zero. When the
load resistance (R) is very low, the elements L, C and R are connected in series.
However, if load resistance (R) is high, then capacitor (C) is connected across it and
then this parallel combination is connected in series with inductor (L) and thyristor as
shown in the figure.
The load resistance R in series with L and C forms a series R-L-C circuit connected
across DC source through the thyristor as shown. Initially the thyristor is off, hence
entire supply voltage E appears across it and therefore it is forward biased. If a gate
pulse is applied, the device can be turned on. Once turned on, it acts as short-circuit,
thereby connecting series RLC circuit across DC source. When series RLC circuit
(Load circuit) is underdamped, the current is oscillating having natural zero values even
though the supply is DC voltage. Referring to waveform of current, when the thyristor
is turned on at t = 0, the current starts to flow, then attains peak and finally falls to zero.
During this, the capacitor voltage rises towards 2E. When current reaches to natural
zero value, the capacitor voltage is higher than the supply voltage E and hence the
thyristor gets reverse biased. Thus the zero-current and reverse-bias cause the thyristor
to turn-off.
CLASS B COMMUTATION
 CLASS B
COMMUTATION
CLASS C COMMUTATION
 CLASS C
COMMUTATION
 CLASS C COMMUTATION
SCR T1 - ON and SCR T2 – OFF: When SCR T1 is turned on by gate
pulse, the charging of capacitor is done through resistance R and
SCR1(T1). Current flowing through is as shown in figure. When
capacitor charges to Vdc, the current through R falls to zero and the load
current continues to pass through path(+)Vdc – RL – SCR T1 – Vdc(-).
SCR T1 - OFF and SCR T2 – ON: When SCR T2 is turned on by gate
pulse, the SCR T1 gets reverse voltage of capacitor C, therefor the SCR
T1 is turned off. The charging of capacitor is done through load
resistance by path (+)Vdc – RL – (+) C – C (-) – SCR T2 – Vdc (-). The
charging of capacitor is done in the reverse direction to vdc and then
current through RL falls to zero. However, T2 continues to conduct the
current through R.
SCR T1 - ON and SCR T2 – OFF: The SCR T1 is again turned on by
gate pulse. As soon as the SCR T1 is turned on, the SCR T2 gets reverse
voltage of capacitor and is therefore turned off. The capacitor again
charge through path (+)Vdc – R – (+) C – C (-) – SCR T1 – Vdc (-).
Thus firing of any one SCR causes turning off of other on SCR.
CLASS D COMMUTATION
 CLASS D COMMUTATION
Auxiliary Commutation
At start, the Ta is triggered and turned on to carry the load current. Due to
the resonant circuit R-L-C, the current initially rises, attains peak and
then falls to zero. This turns off the auxiliary SCR Ta. This current
charges the capacitor C with upper plate positive. The capacitor thus
forward biases the main SCR T.
When main SCR T is triggered, it is turned on and charged capacitor C is
placed across Ta so as to apply reverse bias across it. The load current
now flows through T. The capacitor continues to discharge through T, L
and D. Since this LC is resonant combination, the capacitor discharges
completely first and then charges with opposite polarity till the current
falls to zero. The capacitor current cannot reverse because of diode D.
Now the oppositely charged capacitor forward biases the auxiliary SCR
Ta. Thus when Ta is triggered, T is turned off and the same cycle is
repeated. In this configuration, the firing of auxiliary SCR commutates
the main SCR, hence name is auxiliary commutation.
 CLASS D
COMMUTATION
 CLASS E
COMMUTATION
Sr.
Parameter Natural commutation Forced commutation
No.
Need of external
External components are
1. commutating Not necessary.
necessary.
components
2. Type of supply AC DC
Power loss in
Some power loss takes
3. commutation NIL
place
components
Thyristor turns off due to
current going below IH or Voltage commutation or
4. Type of commutation
due to application of current commutation.
reverse line voltage.
Cost of commutation Commutation circuit are
5. NIL
circuit costly.
Small due to absence of Big size due to large
6. Size of the circuit
commutation components. commutating components.
 SNUBBER CIRCUIT

Snubber circuit is used in parallel with SCR

Crowbar is a circuit for voltage sensitive load