Surge current capability of power electronics for surge protection

The purpose of this work is to show how power electronic devices like diodes, thyristors, MOSFETs and IGBTs behave on surge current stress. Especially the reaction on surge currents with the waveforms 8/20 mus and 10/350 mus and peak values in kA range which are common in surge protection will be discussed. This paper shows the defects occurred at surge current stress and the limits of the named devices. A further important characteristic is the gate control of the switching power devices during surge current events which will be discussed. All results of the impulse tests are rated for future application in overvoltage protection.