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X10378 Inductive Loads Remedies Issue 1

This document discusses phase angle controllers used to control inductive loads such as AC motors and transformers. It identifies potential problems including transients caused by power disturbances, high surge inrush currents from transformers, and thyristor forward voltages (dV/dt) causing false firing. Remedies include using voltage dependent resistors to dissipate transients, soft start circuits to gradually increase voltage and avoid surges, and RC snubbers to reduce dV/dt effects and inhibit false firing.

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23 views2 pages

X10378 Inductive Loads Remedies Issue 1

This document discusses phase angle controllers used to control inductive loads such as AC motors and transformers. It identifies potential problems including transients caused by power disturbances, high surge inrush currents from transformers, and thyristor forward voltages (dV/dt) causing false firing. Remedies include using voltage dependent resistors to dissipate transients, soft start circuits to gradually increase voltage and avoid surges, and RC snubbers to reduce dV/dt effects and inhibit false firing.

Uploaded by

Sina Mehrabafi
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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PHASE ANGLE CONTROLLERS

USED ON INDUCTIVE LOADS ILR


REMEDIES SHEET X10378

INTRODUCTION
The United Automation range of single phase and three phase Power Controllers (primarily, Phase Angle type),
can be used to control a wide range of AC motors and other inductive loads, such as transformers. The
characteristics of an inductive load may cause problems with varying Phase Angle control. This sheet has
been introduced to help you identify problems causes and offer simple remedies.
Typical Loads include - Induction motors, Capacitor Start motors, Transformers.

CAUSES

TRANSIENTS
Due to the extremely fast switching action of thyristor devices and the usual high commutating duty of the circuit,
the possibility of voltage transients becomes a problem requiring a practical solution. The thyristor (or SCR) has
a small thermal capacity and a rapid transition of reverse dynamic resistance in the avalanche breakdown region,
resulting in very small differences between the voltage the thyristor can block satisfactorily.
The Transient voltages in thyristor circuits can be generated due to a power line disturbance, interrupting or
energizing of transformer circuits and inductive or capacitive load switching etc.
The elimination or reduction of voltage transients requires slowing down the rate of dissipation of stored energy
across the device by providing additional energy storage or dissipation means in the circuit. One of the most
effective methods of doing this is to use Voltage Dependant Resistors (VDR).

HIGH SURGE INRUSH


When the thyristor power controller is operated, using loads where high inrush current surges can occur, it is
desirable to utilise a ‘soft start’ type of circuit. This type of circuit gradually increases the output of the thyristor
controller so that there is no immediate application of full voltage to the load, which might cause damaging
surge current. A typical load, which exhibits this type of characteristic, is a transformer primary. The
magnitude of inrush current of the transformer depends on the design of the particular unit and the basic
magnetic construction of the transformer. If the transformer saturates, it causes high inrush currents, which
may damage the thyristor or blow the main SCR fuses of the thyristor power stack.
Thus, in soft start operation, if there is an input signal when the thyristor unit is energised, there will be no
output of the thyristor unit. The output will initially be zero and then gradually increase to maximum output, as
the soft start action takes place over a period of seconds. During normal operation of the thyristor, the soft start
feature has no effect on the response speed of the thyristor.

SCR FORWARD VOLTAGES - dV/dt


A thyristor may be switched into the "ON" condition by a high rate of rise of forward voltage. This switching
action can result without the presence of the normal firing pulse and is called ‘dV/dt’. The false firing of thyristors
in this manner can cause control problems. To prevent this condition occurring, RC and/or C networks are fitted
directly across each thyristor or pair of inverse parallel thyristors (A typical SCR/SCR Powerblock Module).
REMEDIES

VOLTAGE DEPENDANT RESISTORS (VDR’s)


One of the most effective methods of Transient protection is to use voltage dependant resistors. Below the rated
peak voltage the VDR draws negligible current; but as the voltage goes above this value in a transient voltage
condition, the VDR current increases very rapidly and dissipates the transient energy.
‘SOFT START’ – HIGH SURGE INRUSH PROTECTION
Our wide range of soft start options come as built in functions within a Firing Module unit, or as an optional extra
remote unit. Some Firing Modules also have an option of varying the soft start time, by selection of a capacitor or
cermet adjustment.

R-C SNUBBERS
The introduction of a resistor and capacitor series network, connected across the SCR, helps inhibit any misfiring
of the devices to be controlled.
The dV/dt parameter is of particular importance when thyristor power controllers are used in applications where
the load has fast ‘rise’ times, or the unit is subject to high frequency transient voltages, as discussed in the
Transient section. Power contactor and circuit breaker closures on industrial power feeder circuits, are possible
sources of high dV/dt.
The dV/dt capability of the thyristor is also temperature dependent, as its ability to withstand dV/dt decreases as
the junction temperature increases. Operation at lower temperatures thus allows the thyristor to withstand higher
rates of dV/dt.
The suppression of dV/dt is also quite important for inductive loads such as transformers. In non-inductive load
applications, the voltage and current waveform both pass through zero at the same instant and at this point, one
of the conducting thyristors within the pair of inverse parallel thyristors, will be commutated or turned ‘off’.
However, an inductive load causes the current waveform to lag the voltage waveform. In this case, when the
current wave reaches zero, the voltage wave is not at zero and the subsequent voltage appears as a forward
bias across the other SCR. The rate of change of this voltage (dV/dt) depends on the amount of inductance in
the load circuit. An R-C snubber in parallel with the thyristor can reduce the dV/dt to within allowable limits.

GENERAL SUMMARY
RC Snubbers: - The fitting of a RC snubber (across the ‘Inductive Load’ and/or ‘power controller’) will usually
improve the performance of the application by reducing the effects of back EMF (Electro-motive force) to the
semiconductor device. Typical values would be a 0.22uF + 100R of appropriate ratings.
Voltage Dependant Resistors (VDR’s): - A VDR fitted in parallel (across the inductive Load and/or across the
supply power controller), with very short leads, will help clamp voltage spikes generated by the inductive loads.
The selected VDR’s should have a Maximum continuous voltage rating, higher than the supply voltage and have
good energy absorption (e.g. a VDR type Z250G, manufactured by Bowthorpe Thermometrics would typically be
selected for any range of Mains supplied single phase Power Controllers).
Soft Starts: - This is desirable when controlling loads in single phase where high inrush current surges can
occur.
‘Minimum Set’ Speed: - This applies usually to motor/fan control. Most motors will have an inherent speed
below which it will not control properly (known as ‘hunting’). A resistance (or adjustable potentiometer) fitted
across the main control potentiometer will allow a minimum voltage level (speed) to be fixed, thus stabilising the
remaining voltage range (speed control). Typically a 1M Ohm cermet would be suitable across the main 250K
potentiometer.
Further Information: - Please contact our Technical Sales Desk. Other supporting Data Sheets, available on
request, include the following: -
CODE IDENTITY DESCRIPTION
X10255 SRA Safety requirements- addressing the Low Voltage Directive (LVD)
X10213 ITA Interaction- problems when using Phase Angle and Burst Firing control
X10229 RFI Single Phase Mains Filtering- recommendations addressing the EMC Directive
X10403 2-RFI Phase/Phase Filtering- recommendations addressing the EMC Directive
X10327 3-RFI Three Phase Filtering- recommendations addressing the EMC Directive
X10390 ZSS Zero and Span Set-up- Instruction for Firing Circuits with this setting option

UNITED AUTOMATION LIMITED


Southport Business Park Tel: 0044 (0) 1704 – 516500
Wight Moss Way Fax: 0044 (0) 1704 – 516501
Southport, PR8 4HQ enquiries@united-automation.com
ENGLAND www.united-automation.com

Page No. 2 of 2 Issue 1 Date 28/06/00

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