ETC AT404

AT404 EZYTRIGGER
The AT404 EasyTrigger in combination with a fibre optic
cable replaces pulse transformers including all associated
circuitry in phase controlled thyristor equipment. It is
intended for applications where high insulation voltages or
long transmitting distances are important. Because of the
small control current, the unit serves as an ideal link
between the control intelligence and the thyristor. Each unit
triggers a single thyristor and is intended for 115 690Vrms supplies.
The operation of the AT404 is based on a controlled
current source connected between anode and gate of the
thyristor to be triggered. The large gate current is initiated
by the output current from a fibre optic receiver diode. With
a suitable transmitter, small and large thyristors can be
triggered directly from standard logic circuits without the
need of a gate drive power supply. The receiver diode is
not part of the unit.
AT404
Actual Size
Among the many possible applications, it is specifically
useful in electrostatic precipitators.
ABSOLUTE MAXIMUM RATINGS
Parameter
Symbol
AT404-22
AT404-24
Peak voltage - positive and negative
Vp
2200
2400
Nominal mains voltage
Vm
690
690
Continuous DC voltage
V=
690
690
Turn-on delay for gate current = 1A
tdg
5
5
Transient immunity
(dv/dt)d
2000
2000
Ambient temperature
Ta
-25 to +85
External gate cathode short circuit during operation can be destructive
Unit
V
Vrms
Vdc
s
V/ s
ºC
TECHNICAL DATA at 25°C
Parameter
200mA Gate current threshold
1.2A gate current threshold
Gate current rise time at anode
voltage of
100V
200V
400V
800V
1200V
Peak gate current (typical)
Anode - cathode current at Vp
Maximum off state gate current
Minimum output current of receiver diode
Minimum voltage rating of receiver diode
Turn-on delay with receiver current = 30uA
Symbol
Vgtl
Vgtm
(di/dt)g
Ip
In
Io
Icm
Vcm
tdi
AT404-22
16
36
1.2
2
2.5
3
4
1.3
5.1
2
15
30
35
AT404-24
16
36
1.2
2
2.5
3
4
1.3
5.8
2
15
30
35
Unit
V
V
A/ s
A
mA
A
A
V
s
APPLICATION INFORMATION
The sensitivity of the fibre optic system is important if it is desirable to drive the AT404 directly from the
control logic. For a receiver diode output above 30µA the turn-on delay is approximately inversely
proportional to the current and therefore pulse shaping can reduce the turn-on delay down to a
April 2002
Data subject to change without notice
Page 1 of 2
AT404 EZYTRIGGER
minimum of about 5µS. The printed circuit board tracks from the fibre optic receiver to the AT404
EasyTrigger need to be a short as possible. Furthermore the (+) track should preferably surround the
(-) track to minimize capacitive interference from fast rising voltages in the vicinity.
Since the gate current is derived from the anode of the thyristor no gate drive power supply is
required. It is advisable to maintain the control signal during the entire conduction period of the
thyristor. Once the thyristor is triggered, the gate current ceases to flow because the anode voltage
drops below the threshold voltage, which arises because the anode voltage is used as a source for the
gate current. The effect of this threshold voltage is very small because it only limits the minimum
regulated output voltage of the controller. For example with a 115V single phase controller, this
minimum voltage is less than 0.3% and on a 400V system it can be safely ignored.
The thyristor is triggered from a current source with a maximum voltage of 22V. This allows for twisted
gate leads of up to 1m without seriously affecting the rate of rise of gate current (di/dt)g.
Note that the envelope of the voltage across the thyristor can have any desired shape provided the
rms value is below Vm and the peak value does not exceed Vp.
The connection diagram below shows the typical application of the AT404 EasyTrigger in mains
operated systems using thyristors with current ratings of a few Amps up to several thousand Amps.
CONTACTS
BSR Controls - Canada
4706 Woodley Dr. West Vancouver V7S 3A1
Canada
+1 604 925 0051
+1 604 925 0602
[email protected]
BSR Controls CC - South Africa
P.O.Box 427, Clanwilliam 8135
South-Africa
+27 27 482 2246
+27 27 482 1611
[email protected]
Lectron Industries
979 Lehigh Avenue
Union, NJ 07083
USA
+1 908 687 2626
+1 908 687 5678
[email protected]
Website: www.bsrcontrols.com
April 2002
Data subject to change without notice
Page 2 of 2