Characterizing Thyristors for Fuse Coordination

Recent advances in thyristor and fuse technologys have made possible new equipment which can subject thyristors to faults currents beyond present ratings. Power sources are now available which can deliver fast rising fault currents to levels above the thyristor surge ratings; fuses can clear such high faults - all within less than one millisecond. This paper will cover test results and work being done by the author, as a member of the JEDEC JS-14 Committee, to establish a non-repetitive peak current registration format and testing procedures for durations down to 0.5 milliseconds.