High power and high speed DC solid-state relay: 1500 V-20 A class Photo Power Module

A 1500 V 20 A class solid-state relay, called the Photo Power Module, for DC switching applications has been developed. The module consists of a light-triggered static induction thyristor (LT SIT), a photovoltaic diode array, a MOS transistor, resistors and LEDs. The LT SIT, the main device of the module is triggered by direct irradiation of a light pulse and quenched by the MOS transistor that is driven with the generated voltage of the diode array on irradiation of another light pulse. Good switching characteristics of 3.9 /spl mu/s for turn-on time and 19.5 /spl mu/s for turn-off time at 800 V-20 A were observed. The device had a low forward voltage drop of about 1.7 V at 20 A.<
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