Reverse conducting thyristor
09 March 2010
Renesas’ CRD5CM reverse conducting thyristor is for use in voltage regulators.
Or specifically, in voltage regulators for two-wheeled vehicles and general-purpose batteries. The CRD5CM integrates a thyristor and a rectifier diode in a single element. Sample shipments will begin in February 2010.
The CRD5CM is suitable for two-wheeled vehicles, such as e-bikes, where demand for compact size and low price is particularly strong. The market for such vehicles is expected to grow in Europe.
In addition to being the industry’s first reverse conducting thyristor for use in regulators for two-wheeled vehicles, the TO-220 package of the CRD5CM is the same as that used for previous thyristor (single-element) products. This means that the mounting area can be reduced by about 50%, making it possible to design regulators that are more compact and less costly, thanks to the reduced component mounting cost.
Though integrated into a single, compact package, both thyristor and diode employ Renesas Technology’s planar structure to achieve a rated current of 5A, and a surge-on current of 80A (50Hz). This enables them to handle surge current during switching, and the thyristor achieves a rated voltage of 400V.
Regulators of two-wheeled vehicles require rectifier diodes with soft reverse recovery characteristics. The diode of the CRD5CM has soft turn-off characteristics, with a reverse recovery time of 4.0μs (typical) that limits voltage surges during commutation.
The thermal resistance of the CRD5CM with TO-220 package is 2.8°C/W. Operation is guaranteed up to 150°C, allowing a smaller cooling fan in the system.
As batteries have become more compact and less costly, demand has grown for associated devices that are compact and contribute to lower overall system cost.
Renesas Technology already mass produces thyristors for use in two-wheeled vehicles and other applications, and they have gained wide adoption. Now, in response to market requirements, the company has used its accumulated design process technology and element layout expertise to integrate the thyristor and diode into a single element. The CRD5CM reverse conducting thyristor uses the same package as a standard thyristor.
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