In-Rush Current Limit

Programmable
Inrush-current limiter
Alfredo ARNO
Cyril BORCHARD
Programmable
Inrush Current Limiter
Simple implementation w/ digital control
Inrush current limitation
Programmable soft-start
High efficiency solution
MCU
MCU
SCRs
TRIAC
VAC
C
Improved reliability
VAC
C
High power density
< 500 W
> 500 W
Line-drop recovery
Simple implementation
Mixed-bridge example
2 x SCRs used in progressive
start-up mode or bypass mode
Ex: TN5050H-12WY
85 VAC to 264 VAC
45 Hz to 65 Hz
32 A RMS max
EMC
filter
Compliance with:
EN55015, IEC61000-4-11, IEC61000-3-3
IEC61000-4-5, 4 kV
IEC61000-4-4 EFT burst: 4 kV min
Stand-by losses < 300 mW
2 x low-VF high-voltage diodes
Ex: STBR6012WY
1 MCU used to drive the SCRs and
for the digital-control of the PSU
2 x opto
STM8S
MCU
PFC
controller
Programmable soft-start
Mixed-bridge example
T2
T1
• Operation :
VAC
HVDC
• Bulk capacitor charged smoothly
thanks to phase angle control of
the SCRs
HVDC
VAC
• T1 and T2 synchronized according
to the zero crossing (ZVS) of the
AC line
SCR1
SCR2
∆t
T
T_OFF_2
T_OFF_1
T_OFF_Max
T_OFF_Min
3x∆t
2x∆t
T
T_OFF_3
T
4x∆t
T
5x∆t
T
T
T
Inrush current limitation
Mixed-bridge example
S2
S1
VAC
IAC_RMS = 6 A
C
RLIM
Inrush current limited by PTC
Charge time = 400 ms
IAC (10 A/div)
IAC (10 A/div)
VAC
VDC
IAC_RMS = 6 A
VAC
T1
VDC
HVDC
VAC
T2
HVDC
Inrush current limited by SCRs phase control
Charge time = 120 ms while complying with
IEC61000-3-3
Efficient
Analysis
Stand by power
losses
On-state power losses
150 W application
On-state power losses
200 W application

Dissipated power:
Coil = 0.4 W (G5 relay)
Dissipated power:
Coil = 0.4 W (G5 relay)
RL1 closed
Power losses = coil
consumption
Contact resistance:
P = RI²=0.1*(150/230)²= 42.5mW
Contact resistance:
P = RI²=0.1*(200/230)²= 76 mW
Bridge: PD = 482 mW
Bridge: PD = 649 mW
 400 mW
Total dissipated power:
924 mW  0.62 % of total
Total dissipated power:
1125 mW  0.56 % of total

Triac: PD = 534 mW
Triac: PD = 701 mW
Bridge: PD = 482 mW
Bridge: PD = 649 mW
Total dissipated power:
1016 mW  0.67 % of total
Total dissipated power:
1350 mW  0.67 % of total
No heatsink required
No heatsink required
Type
RL2
150W application:
RL1
VAC
Energy
consumption –
1 hour (50% stby +
50% on)
RLIM
C
TRIAC
VAC
T1010H-6G
C
gate current still
applied
 50 mW
0.69 Wh
200W application:
0.76 Wh
150W application:
0.53 Wh
200W application:
0.7 Wh
Efficient
Analysis
Energy
consumption - 1
hour (50% stby +
50% on)
Stand by power
losses
On-state power losses
500 W application
On-state power losses
1.1 kW Application
RL2

Dissipated power:
Coil = 0.4 W (G5 relay)
Dissipated power:
Coil = 0.4 W (G5 relay)
RLIM
RL1 closed
Power losses = coil
consumption
Contact resistance:
P = RI²=0.1*(500/230)²= 472mW
Contact resistance:
P = RI²=0.1*(1100/230)²= 2287 mW
Bridge: PD = 1707 mW
DBridge: PD = 4131 mW
Total dissipated power:
2580 mW  0.51 % of total
Total dissipated power:
6818 mW  0.62 % of total
Diodes: PD = 923 mW
Diodes: PD = 2167 mW
SCR: PD = 878 mW
SCRs: PD = 2089 mW
0.9 Wh
Total dissipated power:
1801 mW  0.36 % of total
Total dissipated power:
4156 mW  0.38 % of total
1100W application:
No heatsink required
No heatsink required
Type
RL1
500W application:
VAC
C
 400 mW

SCRs
VAC
TN1205H
STTH8L06
C
gate current still
applied
 25 mW
1.49 Wh
1100W application:
3.61 Wh
500W application:
2.08 Wh
Reliable
5 A Relay
175,000 operations
< 10 Years
5 A relays for 1.8 A load
10 A Relay
500,000 operations
< 10 Years
10 A relays for 0.5 A load !
SCRs and Triacs being semiconductor switches  No ageing effect
High power density
Relays:
60 mm x 20 mm
Triac + heatsink:
25 mm x 20 mm
Line-drop recovery
Mixed-bridge example
AC line voltage interrupt lasts more than 30 ms
 SCRs are controlled back in soft-start
when the VAC is reapplied, criteria B
AC line voltage interrupt lasts less than 30 ms
 SCRs are kept “ON”, criteria A
VDC
VDC
VAC
VAC
IAC
VAC
SCR1_CTRL
AC line voltage dips with a 0% residual
voltage applied during 20 ms – Pout = 1kW
IAC
SCRs
C
SCR1_CTRL
AC line voltage dips with a 0% residual
voltage applied during 40 ms – Pout = 1kW