Improving High-Power Crowbar Design Using Rupture-Enhanced, Capsule-Style Thyristors in Medium-Voltage Driven Applications

Abstract:
Protecting electronic devices is an omnipresent task for electrical engineers but is not limited to single applications. Far larger installations like industrial areas, solar inverters for utilities, multi access-point EV-charging stations or train- and subway-train stations need to be protected from hazardous conditions as well. Classical fuses may not be able to protect power semiconductor switches when dealing with high power levels. Crowbars can be used to clear short circuits by diverting currents through themselves and this way giving enough time to fuses or protecting switch gear to disconnect the short circuit’s cause. In addition, crowbars can be triggered in case of overvoltage and act as supporting safety measure as well. This work focuses on several aspects in designing reliable crowbars to be used as protecting instances in medium-voltage driven applications.