Explore: Thyristor Converters

A thyristor (/θaɪˈrɪstər/, from a combination of Greek language θύρα, meaning "door" or "valve", and transistor ) is a solid-state semiconductor device

the two original converters (using mercury-arc valves) were parallel-switched feeding the same pole and a new third (thyristor) converter installed with

control action, such as thyristors. Although HVDC converters can, in principle, be constructed from diodes, such converters can only be used in rectification

thyristors have been used. Converters using thyristors or mercury-arc valves are known as line commutated converters. In thyristor-based converters,

line-commutated thyristor converters. The station houses two converters, one of which opened in December 1977, the other in 1992. The original 1977 converter was

rectifiers are usually supported by insulators mounted on the floor, while thyristor valves may be either supported by insulators or hung from the roof of

the highest DC transmission voltage and the first use of water-cooled thyristor valves in HVDC. The system transfers electric power generated by several

the world equipped with thyristors. The Eel River Converter Station was the first operating fully solid-state HVDC converter station in the world, although

voltage of the mercury arc valve converters was increased from the original 250 kV to 270 kV New HVDC thyristor converter stations were added at each end

refer to this link as the "East DC Tie". It uses electrically triggered thyristors, each with a rating of 5.5 kV. "Welsh, USA Siemens Energy HVDC references"