Flyback type Snubber Circuit with di/dt Limiting Capability for IGCT in MV Wind Turbines

Converters employing IGCTs usually require di/dt snubber and Over Voltage Protection (OVP) circuit for the protection of IGCTs and fast diodes. In these IGCT-based converters, conventional di/dt snubber and OVP circuit dissipates a significant amount of power loss. To reduce this loss of conventional di/dt snubber and OVP circuit, this paper proposes a flyback type snubber circuit with di/dt limiting characteristic for IGCT-based converters in medium voltage wind turbines. This flyback type snubber circuit simply consists of a flyback type transformer and diode. The proposed circuit reduces loss and simplifies conventional di/dt snubber by adopting the flyback type transformer. Loss analysis of conventional di/dt snubber and OVP circuit is performed for the 3-level NPC type back-to-back VSC supplied from grid voltage of 6.9kV. The proposed flyback type snubber circuit can save the loss of conventional snubber circuit in the 3L-NPC type back-to-back VSC in multi-MW MV wind turbine. The proposed snubber circuit has a fewer number of components and improved efficiency leading to a reliable and efficient wind turbine systems.