ABB 5SHY42L6500 – High-Current Thyristor Module for HVDC & Industrial Power Control

If you’re working on high-voltage DC transmission systems or heavy-duty rectifier setups, the ABB 5SHY42L6500 is one of those components that tends to show up in reliable, long-life designs. It’s not flashy, but it does its job well—handling serious current loads with consistent switching performance.

Key Features

• 6500V Blocking Voltage (VDRM/VTSM): Designed for ultra-high-voltage environments, such as HVDC converter stations and large industrial drives—this module can handle transient surges without breaking a sweat.
• 4200A Average On-State Current (ITAV): One thing I appreciate is how stable it runs under continuous load. In many cases, users report minimal thermal drift even after months of operation at near-rated capacity.
• Press-Pack Thyristor Design: No screws or clamping hardware required. This makes it easier to integrate into water-cooled stack assemblies and reduces mechanical stress points during thermal cycling.
• Snubberless Operation Capability: While some legacy systems still use RC snubbers, this model typically operates reliably without them, simplifying circuit design and reducing BOM count.
• Designed for Series Stacking: You might notice that several customers use these in series strings for ±500kV applications. The voltage sharing characteristics are fairly predictable when paired with proper grading resistors.

Technical Specifications

Application Fields

From my experience, this thyristor pops up most often in grid-level infrastructure. Think back-to-back HVDC interconnects between regional grids, large aluminum smelting plants using high-current rectifiers, or synchronous condensers in aging substations being retrofitted. It’s also used in some custom medium-frequency induction heating systems where series resonance circuits demand robust reverse-blocking capability—even though it’s not optimized for fast switching.

One customer in Norway replaced older GTO stacks in a coastal converter station with these modules and saw improved MTBF—partly due to fewer failure modes from mechanical fasteners loosening over time.

Advantages & Value

Procurement teams tend to favor this model because it’s still actively supported by ABB and available through authorized channels—unlike some obsolete press-pack variants floating around the gray market. There’s a real cost advantage in avoiding field failures: replacing a single failed module in a live valve tower isn’t just expensive—it risks multi-day outages.

It seems to be particularly valued in retrofit projects where footprint compatibility matters. The physical dimensions align well with earlier 5SHY generations, so existing cooling blocks and busbar layouts usually don’t need redesigning.

Installation & Maintenance

You’ll want clean, flat contact surfaces on both sides of the heat sink—any warping beyond 20 μm/cm can lead to uneven pressure distribution. Always follow ABB’s torque ramp procedure when compressing the stack; sudden loading can crack the silicon wafer inside.

For maintenance, periodic thermographic inspection helps catch early signs of current imbalance across parallel units. Also, verify gate driver signal integrity annually—weak triggering pulses sometimes go unnoticed until misfiring occurs during system ramp-up.

Quality & Certifications

The 5SHY42L6500 carries CE marking and complies with IEC 60747-6 standards for power semiconductors. It’s manufactured under ISO 9001-controlled processes, and RoHS compliant despite its industrial classification. Each unit undergoes rigorous dynamic testing before shipment.

Warranty period is 365 days from date of delivery. Given the typical lifecycle of such equipment, buyers often stock spares for 5–10 years, which we support with batch traceability and long-term storage guidance (keep below 35°C, humidity under 60% RH).

Ordering Info

Delivery takes about one week for in-stock units; maximum lead time won’t exceed four weeks. We ship via FedEx, UPS, or DHL depending on destination and urgency. Payment terms are 50% advance, balance before dispatch—common practice for high-value power modules like this.