Method and circuit arrangement for the control of semiconductor switches in a series configuration

摘要

The method involves using three switches (10-12) with their own respective voltage-limiting device (30-32) between their collector and gate electrodes. The switches are connected in series and are linked to a common controller (110) which from a single input pulse (P1) produces modified control pulses (P20-P2) for the three switches. When one switch experiences an overvoltage the corresponding limiter conducts and the consequent loss of energy is detected or measured by the controller. The controller then delays the appropriate control pulse as necessary to achieve uniform voltage distribution.