GE DS3800DSFC System Firing Daughter Card

The GE DS3800DSFC is a specialized System Firing Daughter Card, used in the GE Speedtronic Mark IV series of turbine control systems. As a “daughter board,” it plugs into a larger, main circuit board to extend its functionality, specifically for controlling firing circuits.

Function and Purpose

The primary purpose of the DS3800DSFC is to provide the necessary control and timing for “firing” circuits, which are essential in systems that use power electronics like silicon-controlled rectifiers (SCRs) or thyristors. These circuits are critical for controlling high-power devices, such as those in a voltage regulator or exciter system. Its key roles include:

• Firing Pulse Generation: The board generates precise firing pulses that trigger the switching of power electronic components. The timing and sequencing of these pulses directly control the output of the power circuit.
• Signal Conditioning: It takes commands from the main control processor and converts them into the necessary electrical signals to drive the firing circuits.
• Control and Timing: It provides the complex timing logic required for proper phase control, which is essential for regulating voltage, current, and other parameters in a power system.
• System Integration: As a daughter board, it allows for modularity, enabling the main control board to handle a wide range of applications by simply adding the appropriate daughter cards.

Technical and Design Features

The DS3800DSFC is a legacy industrial control board, reflecting the technology of the GE Mark IV series.

• Legacy Part: The “DS3800” prefix indicates that it is a legacy GE industrial part from a series that is no longer in production by the manufacturer. These boards are now sourced from surplus, repair, and refurbishment channels for the maintenance of older turbine control systems.
• Daughter Board: Its “daughter board” designation means it is a smaller, auxiliary card that connects to a larger main board, typically through a set of pin headers.
• Jumpers and Resistors: The board contains jumpers and trimmer resistors that allow technicians to configure its operational settings to match the specific requirements of a given application.
• Physical Interface: It features connectors to interface with the main board and provides terminals or connectors for external power and signal connections.