Static switches for their use on capacitors batteries connection

Nowadays, most of the reactive power compensation applications work with electromechanical switches, but there are some applications that require fast response in compensation, like, for example, soldering industry. There are other applications that need a connection without disturbance generation. The connection of capacitors batteries can affect, for example, near electronic equipment. These problems can be solved using a static switch instead of an electromechanical switch. This paper presents a study about different topologies of static switches for their application on controlling capacitors batteries connection. To begin with, the paper shows a brief description of mains characteristics of static switch. Then, five different structures are presented. These structures are based on different combinations of thyristors and diodes: 4T (four thyristors), 6T (six thyristors), 6TS (six thyristors with single-phase capacitors), 3T-3D (three thyristors and three diodes), 2T-2D (two thyristors and two diodes). The behaviour of each structure has been simulated on its opening and closing states and are discussed the advantages and disadvantages of using each of it. Finally, is reported which structure has been chosen and are attached some real experiments made with a prototype.