Gating circuit for high voltage thyristor strings

摘要

Electrical apparatus such as a VAR generator or convertor is taught for high-voltage application. The electrical apparatus includes series stacked silicon controlled rectifiers, some of which operate at high electrical potential. Switching information is provided to the thyristors by way of insulating light pipes. The energy for actuating the gate of the thyristor in each case is provided by a current transformer which in some instances is interconnected with the anode of the thyristor in question to monitor the anode current thereof in a previous half cycle of conduction. In other instances, anode current of another thyristor are monitored. The anode current is converted to stored charge which is later released through a light actuated switch to the gate for energization of the thyristor in question. This means that a thyristor may be repeatedly energized even after many intervals of full cycle conduction where no anode to cathode potential is available for charging a capacitor.