GATE EE 2023 Set 1 — Question 26
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Power Electronics → Power Semiconductor Devices
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Question
A semiconductor switch needs to block voltage of only one polarity () during OFF state as shown in figure (i) and carry current in both directions during ON state as shown in figure (ii). Which of the following switch combination(s) will realize the same?
Correct answer
(A) [figure]; (D) [figure]
Solution
The requirement is a switch that blocks unipolar voltage () and conducts bidirectional current.
1.Option (A): An IGBT with an anti-parallel diode. When the IGBT is OFF, it blocks positive voltage from collector to emitter (). When ON, it conducts current from P to Q. The anti-parallel diode conducts current from Q to P. This configuration satisfies both requirements.
2.Option (B): An IGBT in series with a diode. This configuration blocks voltage in both directions but only conducts current in one direction (P to Q).
3.Option (C): An IGBT with a series diode and an anti-parallel diode. This blocks bidirectional voltage and conducts bidirectional current.
4.Option (D): Two IGBTs in anti-parallel, each with a series diode. This is a standard bidirectional switch configuration that can block voltage in both directions and conduct current in both directions. Since it can block voltage in both directions, it can certainly block voltage of the required single polarity.
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