GDU 9X-XXXXX Series
GDU 9X-XXXXX Series
GTO Gate Drive Units
Application Note
Replaces March 1998 version, AN4571 - 5.1
AN4571-6.0 January 2000
This application note should be used in conjunction with individual Gate Drive Unit datasheets which contain electrical, timing and outline
information.
GTO GATE DRIVE UNITS
A range of Gate Drive Units (GDU) is available to control Dynex Semiconductor Gate Turn-Off Thyristors (GTO). These units provide
the recommended waveforms for reliable switching of GTOs and have the following features:-
■ Input signal to the GDU (to turn the GDU ON and OFF) or output
signal (that indicates the presence of GTO gate to cathode
negative voltage) can be specified for either opto-couplers or fibre
optics.
■ Each power supply voltage is continuously monitored, if it falls
below a preset level an OFF signal is sent to the GTO and further
ON pulses are inhibited until the power supply recovers.
■ Adjustable inhibit of short ON pulses. This prevents the GTO
■AnoutputsignalthatmonitorstheGTOgatetocathodenegative
voltage. This voltage is monitored at the GDU GTO gate output
connections or the GTO gate sense leads if they are wired to the
GDU.
switching ON from signals that may be false.
■AdjustableminimumONpulsewidth.Thisensuresthatwhenthe
GTO is turned ON it is ON for a time that fully discharges the
snubber capacitor.
■Atinitialswitch-onasafestartupisachievedbyincorporatingan
inhibit of GTO gate pulses until the power supplies stabilise.
■ Adjustable minimum OFF pulse width. This ensures that the
GTO is turned OFF for longer than its' turn-off time.
GTO/GATE DRIVE RECOMMENDATIONS
Recommended Gate Drive Conditions
GTO
ITCM
(A)
IGQM QGQM
(A) (µC) (A)
IFG
dIFG/dt
(A/µs)
IG(ON)
(A)
tw1(min)
(µs)
dIGQ/dt
(A/µs)
VRG(min)
(V)
VRG(max)
(V)
Recommended
Gate Drive
DGT304SE
DG306AE
DG406BP
DG408BP
700
600
120 700
190 1300
20
20
30
30
20
20
30
30
2
2
4
4
4.5
10
10
20
15
15
30
30
2
2
2
2
16
16
16
16
GDU 91-202XX
GDU 91-202XX
GDU 91-202XX
GDU 91-202XX
1000 420 3000
1000 420 3000
DGT409BCA 800
350 3600
30
30
30
30
4
7
20
20
30
40
2
2
15
16
GDU 91-202XX
GDU 90-204XX
DG646BH
2000 650 6600
2000 690 6000
DG648BH
DG758BX
30
30
40
40
40
40
7
20
10
20
20
20
40
40
40
40
40
2
2
2
2
2
16
16
16
16
18
GDU 90-204XX
GDU 90-203XX
GDU 90-207XX
GDU 90-207XX
GDU 90-207XX
3000 830 10000 40
8
DG856BW 3000 850 10500 40
DG858BW 3000 850 12000 40
DG858DW 3000 950 12500 40
10
10
10
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